09/24/2026
š¤ Get to know CIW Facilitator Haena Worthing!
I started working with Uncuffed because it wasnāt something I had ever done before, and it gave me butterflies to think about doing it. I wanted to challenge myself and make my time in prison count. What I ultimately discovered was just how truly healing storytelling is, and Iām so glad I pushed myself to step off that cliff.
Working with other incarcerated women and sharing our stories changed my view of women inside of prison. We are all mothers, daughters, wives, and sisters, and when you dig really deep, you discover how truly connected we really are. Itās a club I never thought I would be a part of, but itās a club where Iāve met some of the most honest and beautiful women Iāve ever met. They are beautiful because of their strength, their resilience, and their commitment to change. And most wonāt ever give up.
One of my favorite moments was when we recorded our roundtable discussion on mothers and mothering from prison. It was featured in the āMamaā episode in Season 4. My fellow producers and I had developed an amazing rapport and had the best time on the mic together. We werenāt incarcerated in that moment. We were just friends sitting down to have a good chat.
Uncuffed changes participants in the most beautiful way. You see people open in places you never thought they could. Eyes sparkle, people get a little taller, and everyone smiles just a little bit more. Compassion, empathy, listening from the heart, and improved self-esteem are all things Iāve seen happen in our tiny little recording studio. Itās been amazing to watch and an incredible experience.
