Louisiana Prison Dance Offers Inmates a Chance to Reconnect with Daughters
ANGOLA, Louisiana (November 29, 2025) – In a moving display of restored family connections, incarcerated fathers at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola participated in a father-daughter dance on Saturday, November 22, 2025. The event,organized by the faith-based institution God Behind Bars,provided a rare prospect for inmates to share a tender moment with their daughters,fostering healing and accountability.
The dance underscores a growing movement to recognize the importance of maintaining family bonds for incarcerated individuals,with the belief that strengthened relationships can contribute to rehabilitation and reduce recidivism. For daughters, the event offered a chance to experience a conventional milestone despite their fathers’ imprisonment, and to witness a positive side of men often defined by their offenses. The program aims to demonstrate to inmates the enduring impact of their actions and the support systems awaiting them upon release.
Jake Bodine, founder of God Behind Bars, explained the core purpose of the event: “That’s really the heart of it ultimately. Show these individuals who is counting on them and once they realize the weight of that,they will hold themselves accountable for change.”
the Louisiana State Penitentiary, frequently enough referred to as Angola, is the largest maximum-security prison in the United states. God Behind Bars regularly facilitates programs within the facility designed to promote spiritual growth and family reconciliation. The organization provided the photograph of the dance, capturing a poignant scene of fathers and daughters sharing a special moment within the prison walls.
