Although there has been no comprehensive research on all existing prison animal programs. Numerous studies have examined the impact of dog training programs. In particular, there's evidence that the programs benefit both prisoners and dogs. Let's look more closely at how this works. These programs include the most common type of prison animal program, which involves dog training for various purposes. For example, dogs from animal shelters can receive basic obedience training and socialization from inmates. Dogs who might have languished or even been euthanized in a shelter can then be adopted by members of the public, or inmates might raise and train dogs who go on to become service dogs for the disabled. These dogs sometimes come from shelters, but sometimes from breeders too. In addition to socialization basic obedience, these dogs gain more specialized skills. Such as alerting in the case of an impending seizure or other incident, opening doors, turning on lights, retrieving objects, and providing mobility support. In both versions of prison animal programs, correctional facilities partner with non-profit organizations which provide the expertise and the support. Prisoners who volunteered to participate in dog training programs undergo thorough screening. Those with histories of animal abuse are excluded. Selection for participation in such a program is a privilege, and as such only prisoners with a record of good behavior can qualify. The prisoners themselves receive extensive specialized training in how to care for the dogs. The prisoners and the dogs live together, their partnership is around the clock. Although some programs allow community volunteers to foster the dogs during several weekends each month. Prisoners have to walk their dogs, feed them, and clean up after them in addition to training them. Prisoners who handled dogs are monitored and evaluated by program staff as well as prison staff. Now that you have a sense of what the programs look like, let's examine their benefits. First, by learning how to train a dog, inmates gain vocational skills that they can potentially use for employment once released from prison. This is an important aspect of rehabilitation. Some programs provide certification that former inmates can potentially use to obtain jobs. The inmates make connections with the organizations that run the training programs, and these connections can open up job opportunities outside of prison. The skills prisoners gain go beyond those involved in training and caring for animals, to include life skills such as responsibility, dedication, and respect for others. Although prison animal programs don't guarantee post release employment, they can set inmates up to succeed. Second, inmates can also gain a new sense of who they are through participation in a prison animal program. Researchers have found that desistance from crime or abstaining from criminal activity involves two stage process. In the first stage, the person stops engaging in the crime. In the second stage, the person comes to see him or herself differently. They develop a new identity as a person who doesn't engage in criminal activity, this is known as relabelling. Dog training programs help with relabeling by giving inmates a sense of purpose and responsibility. They can feel pride about their accomplishments and give back to the community. Through interaction with their dogs, inmates develop a new perspective on who they are. They gain confidence in themselves, their self esteem improves, they develop more patience. And the new identity is reinforced through feedback from family members who notice the change, and from guards who treat such in mixed with greater respect. One study reported a prisoner saying that participation in the program required him to become the person his dog thinks he is. The relabeling process helps reduce the likelihood that the inmate once released will reoffend an end up in prison again. Third, prison animal programs have therapeutic benefits too. Studies have long shown that interacting with animals can decrease loneliness, speed recovery from illness or surgery, and lower high blood pressure. Just watching tropical fish can improve relaxation, which explains why many dentists have fish tanks in their offices. Although dogs in prison programs are not intended to offer therapy to inmates, the interaction nevertheless brings therapeutic benefits. For example, dogs provide a way for inmates to express and receive affection, perhaps the only acceptable way to do so in prison. In some studies, both prisoners and guards have claimed that the presence of dogs reduces the level of tension in the facility overall. Inmates involved in the programs become friendlier and less confrontational, they violate prison rules less often in bonding with their dog. Inmates develop the ability to trust, the dog doesn't care about the inmates criminal record, the length of the sentence, or the number of tattoos. To recap, dog training programs provide inmates with vocational skills. They assist in the process of relabeling and they bring the therapeutic benefits of interacting with animals, but the benefits go beyond prisoners themselves. Prison animal programs benefit dogs too, for dogs who come from shelters, the programs provide a second chance, a new lease on life. Instead of sitting in a kennel, they develop the skills they need to live with people. The programs benefit partner organizations too, and the wider community. For example, most service dog programs have long lists of people waiting for dogs, training a dog takes time, which is something prisoners have to offer. This can potentially increase the numbers of service dogs available to those who need them. When dogs from shelters are adopted through prison programs, the fees provide a revenue stream for prisons. The programs also free up space in local animal shelters, allowing them to take in more homeless dogs. Overall, prison animal programs provide second chances for dogs and for prisoners.
