‘Unprisoned’ and ‘Daughters’ On the Importance of the Father-Daughter Connection In and After Incarceration

What is the relationship between fathers and daughters when Daddy has been incarcerated? Unprisoned is back on Hulu for season two and is once again exploring the connection between a Black woman and her formerly incarcerated father as they try to rebuild their lives together.

The Council on Criminal Justice states, “Black people served an average of 0.2 years longer in 2000 and 0.7 years longer in 2020” in prison. For Unprisoned stars Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo, the series has become a learning experience and raises awareness about high incarceration rates for Black men and the reality of life outside the prison system.

"That's so much of what the show is about: what it's like to be a returning citizen, what it's like to love a returning citizen and how challenging it can be to return to society when emerging from these devastating systems," Washington explains. The impact of these experiences extends beyond the individuals, affecting families and communities. "It's been a real journey to learn more about what it's like for returning citizens and to be able to portray that."

Inspired by series creator Tracy McMillan's real life, Washington says, "We need to look at the crazy rules that are in place that prevent people from being able to make a living and vote and participate as full citizens.”

Lindo shares Washington's sentiment, emphasizing the need to recognize the humanity of incarcerated individuals. "I'm not a social scientist, but we're clear that there is a huge imbalance in the numbers of people of color being incarcerated. I hope that there's a reinvestigation of the worth of people's humanity," he states. "The worth of human beings who have been incarcerated needs to be re-examined, leading to larger efforts to rehabilitate and reintroduce them to society."

Also exploring the crucial connection between Black girls and their fathers, the documentary Daughters —coming to Netflix—presents a moving portrait of empathy and forgiveness. The film, shot over eight years by filmmaker Natalie Rae and social change advocate Angela Patton, follows Aubrey, Santana, Raziah and Ja’Ana as they prepare for a momentous Daddy Daughter Dance with their incarcerated fathers.

If regaining humanity after incarceration is paramount, gaining it while in prison should be a top priority. Sing Sing reveals how that right should start while Black men serve their time. Inspired by true events, the film dramatizes the New York State prison's Rehabilitation Through the Arts program and stars formerly incarcerated actor Clarence Maclin.

"When I got into RTA, I was rough around the edges, and I didn't really vibe with people. RTA opened me up because they extended humanity to me first," he shares. "RTA gave me a different lens to see people. There were guys in RTA that I had known of in prison for years; we'd walk past each other and never say anything to one another because I felt we didn't have anything in common. When I got into the program, I saw that these very same guys were contributing to my life greatly with their humanity and understanding."

Oscar nominee Colman Domingo, who also stars in the film, adds that using the theater for rehabilitation is a fascinating and life-changing endeavor. "They're letting the process work on them to make sure that they liberate themselves from their past," he states. The program prepares its participants to return as members of society and "move forward in a very productive, graceful, loving and joyful way."