Because a father is locked in [jail] does not mean he should be locked out of his daughter's life.

Patton’s line argues against treating incarceration as a total severing of family bonds. It distinguishes punishment of an offense from the ongoing responsibilities and emotional ties of parenthood, especially the father–daughter relationship. The phrasing “locked in/locked out” highlights how carceral systems and social stigma can create a second, informal sentence for children: loss of contact, guidance, and affirmation. Implicitly, the quote supports policies and community practices that preserve safe, structured connection—visitation, communication, parenting programs, and reentry support—on the premise that maintaining relationships can benefit children’s well-being and help incarcerated parents sustain a pro-social identity.