Having pets in prison help the inmates

[Belyewluv]

my husband had a few pets over the years while incarcerated and some of the sotries were so cute and some were just plain hilarious!!!! i know it helped pass the time and i think that EVERY inmate should be able to have a pet. be it a spider, cockroach lol, bird, mouse, praying mantis, etc. you can even catch a ground hog, if you know what your're doing

[FastCarGirl]

Awww.....that's so true! Frankie has a guinea pig he named "Alf" that he's getting to bring back with him!

[sidewalker]

A long story short.....
I noticed a link on a local animal shelters web page. Pen Pals of SQ.
I wondered what the heck it was.
Well, what it IS is........some inmates get to take in dogs and help to retrain them.
After a period of time the inmate does have to let the dog go back to the shelter but they are then put up for adoption.
One guy, they let adopt as he was paroling out.
The whole thing made me cry like a big baby. Good for all of them, the animals AND the inmates.

[Onedaycloser13]

Originally Posted by sidewalker

A long story short.....
I noticed a link on a local animal shelters web page. Pen Pals of SQ.
I wondered what the heck it was.
Well, what it IS is........some inmates get to take in dogs and help to retrain them.
After a period of time the inmate does have to let the dog go back to the shelter but they are then put up for adoption.
One guy, they let adopt as he was paroling out.
The whole thing made me cry like a big baby. Good for all of them, the animals AND the inmates.

I saw this on some show a while ago. The inmates that they profiled said nothing but good things about the program and how it has helped them. I liked the idea and it seems to give the inmates a sense of purpose! It was an interesting show, just wish I could remember what it was or even where I saw it!

[mg113]

I think it works for everyone if an inmate is allowed to have a pet............

[mrsrimoldi]

My son is in a dog program. This program is a wonderful win/win program. Not only is it good for the inmates in the program it helps create a calmer atmosphere in the whole compound.
One of the first dogs my son got was a retired greyhound named Karen. Karen had no social skills when she came to prison. She was about 7 years old and had never had people food. To earn her trust my son gave her some people food. Karen ended up being a delightful dog once she was able to shine. Every year at Christmas time there is a fund raiser of lunch meats and cheese. I send $$ for this fund raiser as it is my sons favorite~ My son had made himself a sub sandwich and a glass of tea. He put his sandwich down to run down the hall to get some ice for his tea. You can see where this is going... Karen was licking her lips when my son got back and his sub was gone. He called me and laughed and laughed said "It's my own fault~ I gave her people food and she just thought I had made a sandwich for her! Can't blame a dog for being a dog" After that lesson he started buying dog treats on commissary and only gives people food to the hardest cases. He had one dog named Jorden who was an Australian Shepard, outside this dog was a normal dog but once he came inside he shut down and would just stare at the wall. Jorden was his hardest case and feared he wouldn't break through to him. He had him for about a year and a half~ usually the longest they let a dog stay is a year. My son was so happy when Jorden finally came around. He talked a kitchen worker into bringing him some hot dogs to bribe Jorden with. He introduced Jorden to the hot dog outside~ he loved it~ then he used the hot dog as a lure when they went back inside, when they got to his room and get Jorden to stay focused on him he praised Jorden and gave him that hot dog~ that was the break through! After that every time Jorden would start to check out he would ask him if he wanted a hot dog~ within 2 weeks Jorden was doing so much better. A CO had watched the progress with Jorden, he had a granddaughter with Autism and felt Jorden may be able to connect with her. He talked to my son about his grandchild and they decided it would be a good idea if he took Jorden home for a weekend visit. He did bring Jorden back after that weekend but made arrangements to adopt Jorden. Jorden was his grandchild's Christmas present. He tells my son Jorden has helped her beyond measure and he is eternally thankful my son didn't give up on that dog. Still gives me goose bumps! I too wish every inmate could have a pet. My husband and I adopted one of my sons dogs too. Pepper is the one dog my son said he couldn't see going anywhere but to his home. I would never have picked this dog but every day I am thankful for her, every day she makes us laugh and she is good for our other dog too. When I visit my son I come home and Pepper sniffs me all over~ I started having my son wipe his face with a napkin and bring it home for her, I put the napkin in her bed and she rolls all over it, then lays down and takes a nap. When he phones home Pepper can hear his voice and starts looking for him behind the tv or will sit there and just listen to me talk to him with her head cocked. I hope she lives long enough to see him come home.

[paradise soul]

Originally Posted by mrsrimoldi

My son is in a dog program. This program is a wonderful win/win program. Not only is it good for the inmates in the program it helps create a calmer atmosphere in the whole compound.
One of the first dogs my son got was a retired greyhound named Karen. Karen had no social skills when she came to prison. She was about 7 years old and had never had people food. To earn her trust my son gave her some people food. Karen ended up being a delightful dog once she was able to shine. Every year at Christmas time there is a fund raiser of lunch meats and cheese. I send $$ for this fund raiser as it is my sons favorite~ My son had made himself a sub sandwich and a glass of tea. He put his sandwich down to run down the hall to get some ice for his tea. You can see where this is going... Karen was licking her lips when my son got back and his sub was gone. He called me and laughed and laughed said "It's my own fault~ I gave her people food and she just thought I had made a sandwich for her! Can't blame a dog for being a dog" After that lesson he started buying dog treats on commissary and only gives people food to the hardest cases. He had one dog named Jorden who was an Australian Shepard, outside this dog was a normal dog but once he came inside he shut down and would just stare at the wall. Jorden was his hardest case and feared he wouldn't break through to him. He had him for about a year and a half~ usually the longest they let a dog stay is a year. My son was so happy when Jorden finally came around. He talked a kitchen worker into bringing him some hot dogs to bribe Jorden with. He introduced Jorden to the hot dog outside~ he loved it~ then he used the hot dog as a lure when they went back inside, when they got to his room and get Jorden to stay focused on him he praised Jorden and gave him that hot dog~ that was the break through! After that every time Jorden would start to check out he would ask him if he wanted a hot dog~ within 2 weeks Jorden was doing so much better. A CO had watched the progress with Jorden, he had a granddaughter with Autism and felt Jorden may be able to connect with her. He talked to my son about his grandchild and they decided it would be a good idea if he took Jorden home for a weekend visit. He did bring Jorden back after that weekend but made arrangements to adopt Jorden. Jorden was his grandchild's Christmas present. He tells my son Jorden has helped her beyond measure and he is eternally thankful my son didn't give up on that dog. Still gives me goose bumps! I too wish every inmate could have a pet. My husband and I adopted one of my sons dogs too. Pepper is the one dog my son said he couldn't see going anywhere but to his home. I would never have picked this dog but every day I am thankful for her, every day she makes us laugh and she is good for our other dog too. When I visit my son I come home and Pepper sniffs me all over~ I started having my son wipe his face with a napkin and bring it home for her, I put the napkin in her bed and she rolls all over it, then lays down and takes a nap. When he phones home Pepper can hear his voice and starts looking for him behind the tv or will sit there and just listen to me talk to him with her head cocked. I hope she lives long enough to see him come home.

That was sooooo touching.........Yes, it´s definitely a win/win situation and I truly believe that it would get the entire "environment" in prison change for the better.
I also have a dog I love so much that I sometimes do feel like I am cheating, lmao. Actually I am thinking for a while already about making the dogtrainer license and I would like it a whole lot to maybe have the opportunity later to do such an inmate/fosterdog/training program.
We will see what future holds.

[Iamonlyme75]

Originally Posted by mrsrimoldi

My son is in a dog program. This program is a wonderful win/win program. Not only is it good for the inmates in the program it helps create a calmer atmosphere in the whole compound.
One of the first dogs my son got was a retired greyhound named Karen. Karen had no social skills when she came to prison. She was about 7 years old and had never had people food. To earn her trust my son gave her some people food. Karen ended up being a delightful dog once she was able to shine. Every year at Christmas time there is a fund raiser of lunch meats and cheese. I send $$ for this fund raiser as it is my sons favorite~ My son had made himself a sub sandwich and a glass of tea. He put his sandwich down to run down the hall to get some ice for his tea. You can see where this is going... Karen was licking her lips when my son got back and his sub was gone. He called me and laughed and laughed said "It's my own fault~ I gave her people food and she just thought I had made a sandwich for her! Can't blame a dog for being a dog" After that lesson he started buying dog treats on commissary and only gives people food to the hardest cases. He had one dog named Jorden who was an Australian Shepard, outside this dog was a normal dog but once he came inside he shut down and would just stare at the wall. Jorden was his hardest case and feared he wouldn't break through to him. He had him for about a year and a half~ usually the longest they let a dog stay is a year. My son was so happy when Jorden finally came around. He talked a kitchen worker into bringing him some hot dogs to bribe Jorden with. He introduced Jorden to the hot dog outside~ he loved it~ then he used the hot dog as a lure when they went back inside, when they got to his room and get Jorden to stay focused on him he praised Jorden and gave him that hot dog~ that was the break through! After that every time Jorden would start to check out he would ask him if he wanted a hot dog~ within 2 weeks Jorden was doing so much better. A CO had watched the progress with Jorden, he had a granddaughter with Autism and felt Jorden may be able to connect with her. He talked to my son about his grandchild and they decided it would be a good idea if he took Jorden home for a weekend visit. He did bring Jorden back after that weekend but made arrangements to adopt Jorden. Jorden was his grandchild's Christmas present. He tells my son Jorden has helped her beyond measure and he is eternally thankful my son didn't give up on that dog. Still gives me goose bumps! I too wish every inmate could have a pet. My husband and I adopted one of my sons dogs too. Pepper is the one dog my son said he couldn't see going anywhere but to his home. I would never have picked this dog but every day I am thankful for her, every day she makes us laugh and she is good for our other dog too. When I visit my son I come home and Pepper sniffs me all over~ I started having my son wipe his face with a napkin and bring it home for her, I put the napkin in her bed and she rolls all over it, then lays down and takes a nap. When he phones home Pepper can hear his voice and starts looking for him behind the tv or will sit there and just listen to me talk to him with her head cocked. I hope she lives long enough to see him come home.

Im soooo crying right now. I absolutly love the inmate pet programs. Best idea ever. I have a friend that participates in one in warm springs cc in Nevada

[sidewalker]

ok that post just made me cry all over again.
Mrsrimoldi, the program at San Quentin gave the same results, information that.....this helps the whole area. The inmates are much calmer.

How sweet for your family and Pepper too.
awesome!

[waiting1218]

Yea I cried too that is so sweet I hope he gets time with her again too I wish they used this program everywhere they put all those animals to sleep why not help them and the inmates with retraining and animals do lower stress which would cut down in fighting and suicide

[OneOfMany]

When I started my training as a CO (back in 2002), it was on an institution that housed female prisoners. When we got up (too early) in the morning, we could hear dogs barking from a distance when the wind was blowing right. Then the barking would die down almost abruptly. We later learned some of the prisoners were allowed to care for the dogs and that was feeding time! They had some kind of system where if the prisoner had no bad conduct report or tickets they were allowed to work with the dogs. So that was seen as a privilege... I'd love it, too... and it was really inspirational to know these women were working with these dogs that would be adopted out. Some of these dogs were trained as seeing-eye dogs for the blind or service dogs for people with other disabilities. I can only imagine how rewarding that would feel.

Mrsrimoldi, your testimony of your son is so inspiring! Good karma had such wonderful ripple affects on your son, Jordan, and the COs family. It took such patience and a strong determination not to give up on your son's part and ... lots of hot dogs! Wonderful wonderful story! Thank you so much for sharing!

[sidewalker]

If you want to read some really good info about this type of program, check this link out. Its the pen pals of SQ section

http://www.marinhumanesociety.org/pr...als/index.html

[Jhvikingqueen]

I wish they would institute this in all states... It would do so much for the inmates and society, and it's a rehabilitation, animals are amazing they teach you a special kind of love

[FiFi n Miles]

Oh myyyy Pets in prison. I hope my hubby gets a Fish. It will do him good

FiFi

[januaryflower]

My partner adopted a puppy by accident in her prison. She's in the Caribbean and they don't favour domesticating animals (cats & dogs) like we do here in North America. So they have prison dogs and cats that roam freely.

And no one really cares for them, as they're "street animals", that is until my gf claimed a puppy from a fresh litter as her own. No one seemed to care and they let her, feed it and bath it. She even has her sleeping in her dorm with her! lol

I'm happy she's found a little comfort in her puppy. It keeps her busy and happy on days when she's down and out or just plain miserable.

She's already talking about how can we bring her back home! lol

I totally support having pets in prison as a reward for good conduct. It seems to be helping my partner tremendously.

[Greek_Koukla]

A friend of mine found a cat out at yard one day - it was apparent she was lost/hungry. He brought her back to his cell and fed her and nurtured her. No one says anything which is great because I've noticed ever since he has had her - he has changed for the better. He also tells me his friends always stop by to play with her so I definitely think having a pet in prison is beneficial.

I've heard of those dog programs - they sound awesome!

[G41285120686]

I'm kinda coming from the other side, I've been a veterinary technician for ~4 years and at my hospital I'm the overnight icu nurse so I've spent years wishing I had more time to spend with my patients (and even just the healthy animals boarding). It's just so obvious how much happier, calmer, safer, etc. you can make them feel with a little attention. ~18 months ago my boyfriend got locked up and he told about a super brave prison squirrel (lol) and how prisons have feral cats and how much he missed Godzilla (my cat). I totally 100% agree with you guys about how beneficial pets can be to inmates (and anyone really, like therapy dogs) and man, inmates could save so many lives every day and bring so much happiness it's gotta happen more and more, right? I think some of the programs use dogs that have behavior issues already, I wonder if disabled pets that are hard to adopt out would work too?

[luvsanders]

Sounds like a great idea...I think that would be very beneficial for inmates with therapy animals!

[deedeeortiz]

Thats amazing. They should offer that at all of them. Thank you for sharing that story. N

[MrsCetina]

Mrsrimoldi that made me tear up. What a great story! I wish they had allowed pets in la county jail, my husband would have loved it. Its great that some prisons do this, i hope more of them will too. Anyone watch the show pitbulls and parolees? Its one of my favorites

[phillipsgal]

My Babe has a pet spider (Queen).... an I to believe pets are beneficial to prisoners...

[montysmom]

Pets are beneficial to everyone, that is why they take them in some Nursing Homes for the elderly. Among other things it lowers the blood pressure to pet an animal. It could benefit the offenders and animals alike, wonder why they do not implement this in all prisons? It seems like a more calm prison would be better for those incarcerated, and those that have to work there.

[InmateLover67]

Originally Posted by Belyewluv

my husband had a few pets over the years while incarcerated and some of the sotries were so cute and some were just plain hilarious!!!! i know it helped pass the time and i think that EVERY inmate should be able to have a pet. be it a spider, cockroach lol, bird, mouse, praying mantis, etc. you can even catch a ground hog, if you know what your're doing

I believe they should have more dogs in prisons for the inmates to work with. Dogs can teach a person so much about unconditional love, it is amazing.

I have always said, I wish I could take our boys to see their Dad, but they would go through the seperation anxiety all over again.

Peace~

[AlisonChains]

Prison life is hard..trying to keep my head from wandering "outside" was extremely challenging...that is until I applied and was accepted into the dog program. Which is where I became a certified dog handler. This program rescues dogs deemed too "far gone" or "unadoptable" and places them with inmates who fully train them, break them of bad habits & behaviors...and places them up for adoption when they are ready. I've been out for 2 1/2 years...and would LOVE to see programs like this available to inmates EVERYWHERE!!!!

[a&jalways]

my man was in the animal program where he is at and he loved it - the stories though omggg were funny but i truly believe the animal programs in prisons do help the inmates plus it gives them a purpose