A daddy-daughter dance like no other—inside a prison.
I currently rank “Daughters” #10 on my list of “The Best Prison Documentaries” (out of 33!).
Trailer for “Daughters”
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up
- The girls are only allowed to physically touch their fathers once—during the dance. For some, that’s the only hug they’ll get during a 20-year sentence.
- One father met his daughter for the very first time…through prison glass. He’s never touched her before this program.
- Even basic phone calls between fathers and daughters require prepaid plans—and prisoners can be shipped to other states with zero notice, completely cutting off contact.
Watch “Daughters”
You can watch “Daughters” on streaming platforms like Netflix or check JustWatch for the latest viewing options.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 95/100
- IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 92/100 (Users); 100/100 (Critics)
Director’s Note: Directed by Angela Patton and Natalie Rae, the film runs 1 hour and 42 minutes and premiered in 2024. Patton is also the founder of the nonprofit that runs this fatherhood program in the D.C. jail.
Release Date: 2024 (Festival & streaming release)
My Review of “Daughters”
The Setup
Four girls—all under 13—are getting ready for one of the most emotional events of their lives: a Daddy Daughter Dance inside a Washington, D.C. jail. For many, it’s the first time they can hug their fathers without a piece of glass between them. The dance is part of a rare fatherhood program meant to rebuild trust and connection between incarcerated men and their children.
More Highlights from the Doc
- The girls rehearse dance steps, write poems, and choose outfits—but the emotional weight of meeting dads in a prison setting is heavy throughout.
- We get intimate looks at therapy sessions where both dads and daughters open up—sometimes for the first time—about anger, absence, and forgiveness.
- Angela Patton, who runs the fatherhood initiative, coaches the dads on how to show affection and rebuild trust. One dad breaks down when asked how to comfort a crying daughter—he’s never done it before.
- The emotional peak: fathers line up in suits behind bars, then walk in one by one to dance with their daughters, some sobbing with joy and guilt.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- All participating fathers had to complete parenting classes and behavioral programs to even qualify for the dance.
- Several fathers admit they’ve never said “I love you” out loud before—to anyone—including their kids.
- The jail program is run by a nonprofit, not the prison system. It relies on grants and outside donations.
- Some of the fathers are serving multi-decade sentences and won’t get out until their daughters are grown adults.
Wrap Up
“Daughters” will break you and maybe rebuild you. It’s not just about the prison system—it’s about the love that fights to survive inside of it.
Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc