Prison Animal Programs

Prison Animal Programs

December 2016

Prison Animal Programs

The purpose of this project is to prove the positive impacts that animal-training programs present to prisoners.  This project will answer the research question: Are specific behaviors of prisoners who train guide dogs improved when compared to prisoners who do not train guide dogs?  Prison animal programs implemented throughout correctional facilities have been shown to improve short and long term behaviors of prisoners, rescue animals that would have otherwise been euthanized, and provides those with special needs in the community with an animal trained to assist them with their activities of daily living (ADLs).  

With an estimated 6.9 million individuals involved in the criminal justice system and approximately 95% that will be released back into the community, rehabilitation programs are desperately needed (Fournier, Geller, & Fortney, 2007, p. 89).  In recent years, correctional institutions across the country have begun implementing prison animal programs as a means of rehabilitation for inmates, support for the community, and for providing homes for abandoned animals.  This trend has led to growing interest in whether these programs are beneficial or if they are costly and a luxury to the incarcerated.  

Rehabilitation is often the focus of prison animal programs and many institutions find that there is a reduction of violence behind the walls and prisoners are less likely to reoffend upon release.  Huss (2013) stated, “one program in Washington reports that the average three-year recidivism rate in the state is 28%, but it is only 5% for inmates that have participated in its program” (p. 34).  Inmates that train the dogs usually must go through training programs themselves and get their high school diploma or general education diploma (GED), this training often leads to better success upon release as vocational skills have been developed and the inmate has developed resources and tools that can be used upon release.  According to Deaton (2005), one prison animal program that works with horses requires the prisoners to complete a one-year course based on a state accredited curriculum and then attempts to place graduates in race-track or farm jobs upon release (p. 58).  It has been noted through observation that prison animal programs improve behavior and contribute positively to the community.  This research project will examine the behaviors of prisoners involved in a prison animal program in Jackson as well as prisoners that work other jobs in a correctional institution to observe the positive effects achieved by implementation of such programs.  No modifications have been made to this research project at this time.

Assessment

As a new employee at the Jackson correctional facility, the need for this research project was identified by the observed positive impacts that the prison animal program presents to the prisoners as well as the negative connotations that society may have about these programs.  Despite implementation of prison animal programs in many facilities across the nation, many in the Jackson correctional facility are not convinced.  Limited research is available on this subject.

Raised awareness is needed in order to bring about change and fully consider the person behind bars from a holistic point of view who has physical, emotional, social, psychological, and spiritual needs.  Due to lack of funds or the administrative viewpoint that prison is a strict place for punishment, offenders often receive little to no rehabilitation services or vocational skill teaching while incarcerated.  The prisoners are then released into society without any resources, education, social skills, and mental illnesses are often left untreated.  Many will reoffend and commit other crimes.  This program has potential to help prisoners learn positive and healthy behaviors in anticipation for life on the outside.