One of the things I love about my church is that it not only broadcasts the services to some of the state’s correctional facilities, but offers support initiatives throughout an individuals’ incarceration and assist with their reintegration into society. Studies have shown that family and community support are a crucial component for a prisoner’s rehabilitation, and a powerful tool for their return to a regular life.
Along with connecting prisoners to a faith life, the organization God Behind Bars strongly advocates for restoration of family as part of this. So they, along with other partners, have sponsored events that allow prisoners to reconnect with their young and adult children, especially fathers and daughters.
Hope of restoration and rehabilitation for the prisoner, is the subject of this week’s Feel-Good Friday.
In April, God Behind Bars had the first annual father-daughter dance at California’s San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.
Hair, make-up, gowns, tuxedos, and tears—San Quentin Rehabilitation Center was recently the scene of an emotional first-ever father-daughter prom.
For many of the incarcerated participants, it was the first time they’d ever donned a tux, the first time they spent one-on-one, face-to-face time with their daughter or daughters, and the first dance they’d ever had with their child.
For some, it was the first time they’d ever met their daughter.
“The entire event was extremely touching and heartening. There was not a dry eye in the house for MOST of the day!!! Lots of happy tears and smiles,” shared Morgan Hubbard with the group Friends of The People In Blue.
In the below video, one father said that it was the first time he had ever put on a tie, and it felt like freedom to him. The fact that this was not limited to just children was also special. Adult daughters need their fathers just as much as the young ones, and the restoration that happens when their bond with their fathers is restored, and in certain cases established for the first time, is powerful. I also loved the glimpse of a banner placed over the entrance. It’s from Psalm 126: “Those who sow in tears will reap with joy.”
There were a lot of tears shed the night of this event, and probably more tears will be shed as these men walk out their sentences, and make greater effort to hold tight to their daughters in their hearts, even when they cannot do it with their arms. But the joy of reconnection and the hope of restored relationships can, and I believe will, bring that fulfillment of joy.
WATCH:
God Behind Bars affirms just how important these types of connections are for incarcerated men.
Rebuilding family relationships is a cornerstone of true transformation. For incarcerated men, connection with their children provides hope and motivation to become better men, both inside and outside prison walls.
Events like this father-daughter dance in San Quentin directly impact the future—not only for these dads but for their daughters, families, and communities. Your support is changing the narrative and breaking the cycle.
In May, Indian Creek Correctional Center in Virginia held a similar, but more low-key event.
Picture this: sixteen incarcerated fathers, sixteen guardians, and twenty-seven kids all gathered in one room. For some of these dads, it had been years since they last hugged their children. One father hadn’t embraced his daughter since her high school graduation. Another held his four-year-old son, weeping, as he gave him the very first Bible he’s ever owned, complete with a heartfelt note written just for him!
In prison, physical contact is usually limited to just two hugs per visit. But this day was different. These dads were given the rare and precious gift of time. Time to hold their kids close. Time to play basketball and ping pong. Time to sit side by side and share a simple meal as a family. For those few hours, they weren’t inmates… they were simply dads. They were present. They were home.
It’s easy to take the little things for granted until they’re taken away. But on this day, the ordinary became sacred.
One little girl curled up on her father’s lap, catching up on all they had missed. Nearby, a young boy twirled around to the rhythm of live music from the prison’s worship group, “The Creek Band.” For the first time, these fathers got to dance with their children to live music. One dad said it was the best visit he’s ever had. Moments like these are why prison ministry is so life-changing. Not just for the inmates, but for their families too!
Strong fathers are necessary for our society to survive and thrive, and we cannot ignore those fathers in prison who can be reformed and transformed. God Behind Bars lays out the numbers:14 percent of the incarcerated are serving life sentences, and 95 percent of those incarcerated will be released back into society. The sad fact is that 27 percent of that number will return to prison within three years, and 82 percent will return to prison within 10 years. God Behind Bars is seeking to reverse this with their focus on the spiritual, physical, and relational needs of inmates and their families. These events help to serve that focus.
One of the Bible’s Messianic promises says, “he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers.” These endeavors which build a bridge and work to restore relationship between incarcerated men and their children is definitely part of this fulfillment.
Editor’s Note: At RedState, it’s not all about politics and policy. We like to bring attention to what’s good in the world, with columns like “Feel-Good Friday,” “Start Your Weekend Right,” and “Hoge’s Heroes.”
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