Animal Welfare Professionals

 View Only
Back to discussions
Expand all | Collapse all

Is anyone still doing prison programs?

  • 1.  Is anyone still doing prison programs?

    Posted 11-30-2022 10:44 AM
    Hi all- I feel like it used to be something that was happening pretty regularly/ talked about more frequently that shelters would place dogs into prisons to live for training and enrichment. Is anyone still doing this? If so, please share any of your SOPs or other details about how you have successfully managed this endeavor.

    Just brainstorming if this could be an avenue for us to explore to help with our ongoing space issues.
    #AdmissionsandIntake(includingIntake-to-placement)
    #Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment
    #FosterPrograms
    #OrganizationalManagement

    ------------------------------
    Alexis Pugh
    Director, Memphis Animal Services
    www.memphisanimalservices.com

    Organizational Management
    & Pet Support Services Specialist
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Is anyone still doing prison programs?

    Posted 11-30-2022 11:31 AM
    We had a larger shelter a few hours away that partnered with a prison for training but I have not heard of the program in a few years. The last dog we transferred to that shelter for training help is still at the shelter after two years! Not sure if it is worth it for us to pursue another partnership.

    ------------------------------
    Kate Williams
    Manager
    Animal Welfare Friends
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Is anyone still doing prison programs?

    Posted 11-30-2022 10:13 PM
      |   view attached
    Thought this might be helpful to you.  Please see attached.

    ------------------------------
    Kathleen Makolinski
    ------------------------------

    Attachment(s)

    docx
    WNY Heroes Niagara County.docx   2.39 MB 1 version
    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Is anyone still doing prison programs?

    Posted 12-01-2022 07:44 AM
    We still do.  When I came on board, we had stalled it due to Covid but the jail really wanted it back.  The previous program would send puppies but we changed the requirements.  We now will send our more active dogs who are good but could use some basic skills.  We have also found it to be helpful for our separation anxiety dogs because the inmates teach them crate skills and practice daily.  They are not left alone often but for short amounts of time so the dogs work on calm behavior when alone.  It has also been fantastic for our escape artists.   We have some dogs who have a knack for running within the first 1-5 days of adoption. When this happens and these dogs get returned, instead of adopting them out, we send them to jail.  They are secure, learn to build bonds with people, and usually, a guard or employee falls in love with them and adopts them.  Since the program is 6 weeks, even if the adopter wants the dog the minute it arrives, we make them wait.  This allows them to build a bond in jail prior to going home.  We have had a 100% success rate of runner rehabilitation doing this.

    ------------------------------
    Stephanie Lewis
    Behavior Manager
    Humane Society Naples
    Naples
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Is anyone still doing prison programs?

    Posted 12-01-2022 07:45 AM

    Not currently at this shelter but my last shelter (Animal Care and Control Team of Philadelphia - ACCT Philly) did partner with New Leash On Life.

    I don't think there were any specific SOPs written out - or if there were, I honestly can't recall seeing them. The way that it essentially worked was that when we first started in the rescue office, we were given a list of parameters of types and behaviors of dogs that New Leash and co were able to handle. When we were told that New Leash was coming by in the next week or so, the Lifesaving Team (rescue/foster) would then give a short list of a handful of dogs we think fit the bill of the previously mentioned ideal candidates, then New Leash managers would come to do evaluations, and then they'd set up a pickup time in the coming days for the final cut. They'd take about 5 to 6 dogs. At one time, they were trying to have weekly visits for training/enrichment instead of taking the dogs as placement options were a bit low but that didn't seem to pan out.

    I have been elsewhere for the last year and a half, so unfortunately I'm not 100% sure if they're running it anymore but I would recommend giving a call or email to the shelter and getting in touch with Sarah Barnett and/or Tara Schernecke, who are the Interim Co-Executive Directors!



    ------------------------------
    Natalie Chamberlin
    Lollypop Farm
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Is anyone still doing prison programs?

    Posted 12-01-2022 08:45 AM
    We've had a program in partnership with the US Penitentiary - Leavenworth for a few years.  It was extremely active and helpful pre-COVID.  Many times, staff or families of the inmates adopted the dogs.  We've still had dogs there over the past couple of years, but not as many and not with weekly contact like we had before.  We're just now working through the Bureau of Prisons paperwork and requirements to get back into the facility for weekly sessions.   We have a certified trainer volunteer who spearheads the program.   The program is a Bureau of Labor Apprenticeship program that gives the offenders a skill and certification for when they return to society.  It's been extremely beneficial to dogs who need some guidance and training.  The dogs normally stay there 8-10 weeks, and upon "graduation", they are prepared to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen test.  I'm happy to share the products that we've developed over time.

    ------------------------------
    Crystal Swann Blackdeer
    Executive Director
    Leavenworth County Humane Society, Inc.
    Lansing KS
    913-250-0506
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Is anyone still doing prison programs?

    Posted 12-01-2022 01:13 PM
    Please do share!

    If we can improve success for our dogs and have happier families then it is worth a try.

    ------------------------------
    Kate Williams
    Manager
    Animal Welfare Friends
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Is anyone still doing prison programs?

    Posted 12-02-2022 07:08 AM
    We have had our prison dog program since 2008, We were the first such program in the state of Michigan. During covid, it was difficult as many of the trainers came down with covid and other trainers had to help with their dog(s) until they were feeling better and covid negative. This does help to a point with space issues but we are only allowed to send 14 dogs into training from various shelter partners, and the owner surrenders for 10 weeks to learn their commands. We are lucky that the new warden in the prison wanted our program to continue as it was possible for us to be shut down if they did not like the program. We really need more foster homes and we don't have a lot and not a lot of applications come in, so we are limited on what dogs we can help.

    ------------------------------
    Refurbished Pets of Southern Michigan
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Is anyone still doing prison programs?

    Posted 12-02-2022 07:49 AM
    I want to start one with our shelter, but we are starting from nothing and I would love to see the SOPs too!

    ------------------------------
    Nikki Healy
    Shelter Operations Manager
    YOUR Humane Society SPCA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Is anyone still doing prison programs?

    Posted 12-03-2022 02:36 AM
    We started one this fall; because it's still small (8 dogs/12 men) and we're still working the kinks out, we don't have a whole lot in the way of written SOPs right now. However, I'd be happy to arrange a zoom with you, our trainer (who was the head trainer at another program for 10 years previously), the corrections staff who made this happen,  and me.  Let me know if this would be helpful.

    ------------------------------
    Lisa Milot
    Athens GA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Is anyone still doing prison programs?

    Posted 12-03-2022 07:08 PM
    Our shelter just sent a dog last year and we have another on the waiting list! It's more like the prison picks which candidates would be best. So you basically apply for your dog and then they send you a bunch of paperwork. At least for the program we apply for. I'm not sure the name of the prison but it's in PA. Hope this helps!

    ------------------------------
    Nisa Katz
    Homeward Trails Animal Rescue
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Is anyone still doing prison programs?

    Posted 12-03-2022 11:08 PM
    Hi Alexis,  It's been a while since I wrote this article about kittens being fostered in prisons. Hope it's of interest to you and others. https://purrfectpals.org/wp-content/uploads/PowerofPurr1.pdf

    ------------------------------
    Nancy Peterson
    The National Kitten Coalition
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Is anyone still doing prison programs?

    Posted 12-04-2022 05:44 AM
    The Institute for Human-Animal Connection put together a standard protocol a few years back after interviews with several programs across the U.S.  Hope this is helpful!

    https://www.wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&context=anitobe

    ------------------------------
    Sloane Hawes
    Institute for Human-Animal Connection
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: Is anyone still doing prison programs?

    Posted 12-05-2022 12:01 PM
    Marley's Mutts has a program called Pawsitive Change. I don't work for them, I just happened to come across it recently.
    https://www.marleysmutts.org

    ------------------------------
    Sincerely,
    Johanna Spielman
    Founder of Jamie Brianna's Legacy Fund
    https://jamiebriannaslegacyfund.org/
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 15.  RE: Is anyone still doing prison programs?

    Posted 12-11-2022 07:32 PM
    it looks like there are many successful dog programs, has anyone tried cats at a prison? There is a rehabilitation non profit down the street from us that I could try.

    ------------------------------
    Jennifer Pokrandt
    Executive Director
    Mew Cat Rescue
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 16.  RE: Is anyone still doing prison programs?

    Posted 12-11-2022 07:48 PM
    Here's an article I wrote a while back about kitten foster programs in prisons. I hope it's helpful. https://purrfectpals.org/wp-content/uploads/PowerofPurr1.pdf

    ------------------------------
    Nancy Peterson
    The National Kitten Coalition
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


Related Content