SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - On this Mother's Day weekend, the families of more than 170 young people in South Dakota will feel the pain of separation due to imprisonment.
"Mothers at the Gate" co-author Karen Dolan says South Dakota has banned juvenile life without parole sentences and adds that mom across the state are becoming policy experts and activists.
Dolan says these mothers don't want to be seen as victims. They are experts, they are resources in terms of how to change the conditions, not just for their children, but for other children.
Dolan says more kids are being locked up for a wider range of offenses once considered juvenile misbehavior.
She says we're seeing more criminalization and policing inside of schools. She says there's much less tolerance for childish behavior. Consequently these children end up being locked up instead of being sent to the prinicpal's office.
Dolan says other changes states could make include improving visitation rules and phone access for families.
(Thanks Greater Dakota News Service)