A Mississippi prison program helps incarcerated women strengthen bonds with their children

Last updated: August 10, 2026

GREENWOOD, Miss. (VDN) — 

Forty-two women at Delta Correctional Facility have graduated from a faith-based program designed to help incarcerated mothers rebuild their lives and strengthen relationships with their children.

Hannah’s Gift and Parenting, a prison ministry program modeled after the biblical story of Hannah and her son Samuel in 1 Samuel 1-3, focuses on helping incarcerated mothers build healthy relationships with their children, learn to parent from a distance and break generational cycles of crime.

The program is designed to provide support not only for incarcerated women but also for their children, who can experience the effects of having a parent behind bars.

Participants complete personal homework and Scripture memorization as part of the program. They also maintain Bible reading records and write letters to their children, giving mothers practical ways to remain emotionally connected and active in their children’s lives while incarcerated.

“The impact of the program is tangible,” Delta Program Director Rochelle Gunn-Hudson said. “Research indicates that maintaining family bonds can significantly reduce recidivism rates and help inmates reintegrate into society more successfully. Hannah’s Gift, often paired with companion initiatives like Malachi Dads and the Returning Hearts celebration, provides a comprehensive approach to prisoner rehabilitation.”

The graduates also showcased projects demonstrating their creativity, including CDs complete with covers, a handmade baby stroller accompanied by a lifelike baby doll, detailed vision boards, storybooks and family games.

Guest speaker Mike Broyles traveled from California for the July 27, 2026, graduation ceremony. Broyles delivered a spiritually grounded speech centered on the women’s personal journeys as they celebrated completing the program.