Notably at the local level, the report found that more than 400 women in 2016 and 2017 were booked into the Tulsa County jail who ultimately had their cases dismissed. Their average length of stay was 21 days, with a median of nine days.

“Even a few days in jail can lead to someone losing employment, not seeing or speaking to their kids or losing personal belongings,” said Jasmine Sankofa, author of the report.

Sankofa said interviewers spoke with one mom who lost all of her belongings because she had been living out of a motel when she was put in jail.

The situation is difficult for not only moms but also for their offspring.

National studies show children of incarcerated parents are more likely to have poor peer relationships and exhibit emotional and psychological problems, as well as behaviors such as aggression, hostility, eating disorders and self-harm, the report states. School-aged children also often have poorer grades and higher suspension and dropout rates.

And unsurprisingly, Oklahoma’s percentage of kids impacted by parental incarceration is greater than the national average. According to Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids Count Data Center, 12 percent of children in Oklahoma (108,000) have a parent or guardian who has served jail time.