I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed the article, “Locked Up,” in your February 12, 2010, newspaper. I have two sons who are graduating from college this year and the beginning story was as if you plucked it from my nightmares.

David and Michael played basketball at Lower Richland and even made it to the state finals, so they always needed to celebrate. Even though they had good kids around them, I still worried. You understand your parents more when you have children of you own. We have a daughter who’s 13, and her father tells her that he will drive her to her destinations until she’s 21. I wish this article could be sent to kids in middle school because I think that’s where a lot of life changing experiences are made. It would give kids a real perspective on what goes on in the criminal justice system. Once again, great article,
Dianne Ward
Project Coordinator
Richland County Treasurer