Daddy Daughter Dance in Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola Prison).
Watch the largest maximum-security prison in the U.S. host a daddy-daughter dance

For the first time ever, a daddy-daughter dance was hosted at Louisiana State Penitentiary, also known as the infamous Angola Prison.

The fathers, who had not seen their daughters in years, stood in fitted tuxedos as they waited to be reunited, with many of them wearing formalwear for the very first time.

The daughters were able to walk into a space that had been transformed into a ballroom and share a special dance, one which many had been waiting their entire childhood to experience.

God Behind Bars, which is an organization that works to introduce inmates to Christianity and connect them with a local church, partnered with the leadership at Angola in order to put on a father-daughter dance.

Prior to the dance, professional makeup artists tended to the daughters, volunteers packed gift bags with donated beauty products and Monique from Amor Suits designed custom tuxedos for each father.

At the beginning of the event, each father presented his daughter with flowers, a bible and a handwritten letter.

More than just a dance, families were able to share a Thanksgiving meal prepared by volunteers, and a local artist from Baton Rouge painted live portraits of fathers and daughters.

The night ended with a grand finale, as the fathers performed a choreographed routine that they had been practicing for weeks before.

With many hugs, shared dances and memories made, the experience was centered on dignity, connection and restoration, said God Behind Bars in a press release.

"I 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. They were Dad...," said Jake Bodine, Founder of God Behind Bars, in a press release.

The night was filled with a plethora of emotions, for both the fathers and daughters.

“When I turned around and saw my baby in that dress and she busted out crying, I sobbed. I am not a crier. We slow-danced and she started crying again. I asked her why and she said, ‘Dad, I finally get a chance to dance with you for the first time.’ I told my brothers, ‘Look, this will make you want to do right. If you are not doing right, you have to do right,'" said Leslie Harris in a news release provided by God Behind Bars.

Assistant Warden Anne-Marie Easely remarked on how important the experiences was for the inmates and their families.

"I am so thankful to God Behind Bars for all they did to make this event possible and such a success. This provided our inmates with an opportunity to restore and build healthy relationships with their daughters despite their circumstances...," said Easely in a press release from God Behind Bars.

Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com

Humankind is your go-to spot for good news! Click here to submit your uplifting, cute, or inspiring video moments for us to feature. Also, click here to subscribe to our newsletter bringing our top stories of the week straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: How God Behind Bars pulled off Daddy Daughter dance at Angola Prison

Reporting by Presley Bo Tyler, Shreveport Times / Shreveport Times

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect