Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, in partnership with God Behind Bars, hosted a father daughter dance on Saturday that reunited fathers who had not seen their daughters in years. A total of 37 daughters aged 5 to 20 and 29 fathers attended the first annual event. One incarcerated father named Leslie said when he turned around and saw his baby in her dress and she busted out crying, he sobbed because she told him this was her first chance to dance with her dad. The fathers were fitted in custom tuxedos donated by Amor Suits months before the event. Professional makeup artist Jessica Haynes and others helped the daughters get ready while volunteers painted their nails and touched up their hair. The prison’s Seminary Lecture Room transformed into a dance venue with decor and floral arrangements where families shared a Thanksgiving meal together.
God Behind Bars said the dance gave incarcerated fathers the opportunity to reconnect with their daughters in a meaningful way. Research shows that children with incarcerated parents face higher risks of low self esteem, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and incarceration. Assistant Warden Anne Marie Easely said it’s so important for fathers to be involved in their daughters’ lives no matter where they are in order to break the cycle of incarceration and instill self confidence. The fathers prepared a choreographed dance for their daughters as part of the special evening. Each daughter received a gift bag with hair and beauty products donated by T3 Micro and a bible donated by Hosanna Revival. Kevin, an incarcerated father, said they’re supposed to be the worst of the worst and walk around like that sometimes, but seeing everyone together with their kids with no masks was cool. Jake Bodine, founder of God Behind Bars, said he watched a group of men stand with pride and dignity shedding every label the world had ever put on them. For one night they were not inmates but simply Dad, and the empty places in every heart were filled with joy, laughter, and a love only God can author.
