Allen, with other mothers of teens, successfully petitioned the prison to institute an innovative program to grant overnight visits to teenagers as well. Close to three-fourths of all the inmates at Shakopee are mothers. Perhaps the children know where they are. I encourage them to tell them. It helps the children to cope with their being away.
Many states place little or no priority on addressing the needs of prison mothers.
Hagen thinks this is a mistake. Most women get out of prison. Children need as good a parent as they possibly can have. And for the ones who have had a healthy bond all along, it's a life-saver. We've had some people who have done a terrific job of parenting while in prison.