Whether we’re behind literal steel bars, or those we have imagined; or those social and political bars that have left so many feeling disenfanchised and left out of the promise of true freedom, abundance and success that the USA [and the world] was meant to be for all–it is the promise that is felt with a renewed hope that stirs us. Hope for a better future, a better and cleaner planet, a better understanding of each other and a more humane view of all living things.

This book is not about politics. It is about hope and what happens when humans and animals alike are the recipients of a better way of doing things. Hope lifts us up. It’s good for everyone, and everything.

The violence and assaults at men’s prisons would make most women’s prisons look like giant tea parties. Maximum-security- level differences between the two are like night and day: It’s not necessarily the correctional institution rules that are so different, but the look, the feel and the fear.

It is no wonder that nearly all prison dog programs for men are in minimum-to-medium security-risk-level institutions. Many of the men interviewed had earned their way into minimum or medium security from high security prison by their behavior..

The differences seem to blur a little, however, when it comes to the men who successfully enter and stay in the prison dog programs. The same need to feel responsible and trusted, to care for something and have it care back—and yes, to love something, and have it love you back—are not male or female traits, but human traits.

Whereas for women the nurturing aspect is so critical and healing, often for the men it’s the ability to put something else first for the first time in their lives that opens their eyes and hearts. Or, having committed a brutal crime, often against a woman, they finally understand the defenselessness of their victim.

Many men told me it felt really good to be trusted again with a living thing. Others told me that it felt so good to be saving the life of a throwaway dog. Or in the case of service dog trainers, they felt immense pride and satisfaction in enabling a life, rather than destroying one-even their own.

Some Facts on Incarcerated Men

On December 31, 2003, there were 2,085,620 prisoners held in Federal or State prisons or in local jails — an increase of 2.6% from yearend 2002, less than the average annual growth of 3.5% since yearend 1995. The number of men rose 2.0%, totaling 1,368,866. At year end 2003. There were 3,405 black male prisoners per 100,000 black males in the United States in prison, compared to 1,231 Hispanic male inmates per 100,000 Hispanic males and 465 white male inmates per 100,000 white males. Between 1995 and 2001, the increasing number of violent offenders accounted for 63% of the total growth of the State Prison population; 15% of the total growth was attributable to the increasing number of drug offenders. (Bureau of Justice Statistics)

If you have a web site or blog–and would like to post the link code to let others know about it–please get in touch.

 In the Delta Society’s Vol. 19, No 2, 2001 newsletter Interactions, an article titled “The New Role of Dogs in Correctional Facilities,“ by Joan Dalton, talks about Gentle Ben and his terrifically important work.

“On the other side of the Columbia River, in the State of Washington, is the Clark County Juvenile Center where Delta Pet Partners Pat Dowell and her 165-pound Newfoundland Ben visit selected youth in the detention center at least once a week.

 ”Ben is always neatly groomed and wears his blue and white bob along with proper identification when he passes through the metal detector at the center. He is a star attraction and clearly enjoys the attention from the people in the waiting room.

 ”On this particular day, Ben and Pat have been assigned to work with Toni-an articulate 15-year-old girl with a history as a runaway.

 ”When asked what caused her to leave home, she answered, ‘I couldn’t get along with my mom. She gets stressed from work and my dad beat me and my dog.’

Toni coped with her home situation by running away

 ”When she ended up in the detention center, she met Ben and formed a bond. Toni was depressed when she first met Ben, but he just came and sat by her, waiting for a response. Now Toni says of their relationship, ‘I can talk to Ben and he won’t tell anyone. I like big dogs because they make me feel protected.’

 ”Today Toni is getting good grades and wants a career working with animals and computers.”

Gentle Ben is one of six dogs awarded recognition in the national Pedigree-sponsored “Paws to Recognize” award for service dogs. Ben and a Beagle who sniffs for  a living received the most number of votes.

These programs are providing shelter dogs with an alternative that in most cases results in a permanent, loving home. They are proving a significant benefit to the physically disabled, to the hearing and sight impaired, and to the selfless organizations that train and supply these wonder dogs. Waiting lists for the dogs would be much longer if it weren’t for the programs that utilize both shelter dogs and puppies raised specifically for service careers.

 The Prison Dog programs are providing a valuable service to society as a whole. Prisoners are being released with employable skills and a new attitude about themselves and others. Human-abuse crimes have been proven to be directly related to animal-abuse tendencies and actions, but released inmates who have worked with these dogs prove to be better fathers, mothers, husbands and wives. Recidivism rates are down substantially for those involved in dog programs, with some programs reporting an unofficial 100% “no return” rate.  Those that aren’t released are better inmate citizens.

Prisons where the dog programs flourish are better places to live. The dogs within the facilities are changing the way people act and interact with each other. These prison dog programs leave no doubt that they are among the most successful, if not the most successful programs in our correctional institutions. These programs are proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that not all prisoners and dogs are irredeemable -even those thought to be the worst of the worst!

Also–below every posting is a “Share” button–where you can share the post on your favorite social networking site–such as Facebook, Reddit and on and on. So, let the world know about this blog and what’s going on in these programs.

And, of course, if you have a relevant website–please let me know–and we’ll link back to you as well.

Thanks very much…

According to a press release put out by the Bureau of Justice Statistics on February 27, 2000, the increase in the incarceration of juveniles is alarming. And sixty-one percent are being convicted of violent crimes. Intervention at a younger age with programs that teach caring and kindness, that open their cold, fear-hardened hearts to feelings, emotions and love are urgently needed.

“In 2002, Students age 12 through 18 were victims of about 88,000 serious violent crimes at school, and about 309,000 away from school. Between 1992 and 2001 victimization rates at school and away from school declined. {Bureau of Justice Statistics}

• In 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, and 2003 about seven to nine percent of students in grades nine to 12 reported being threatened or injured with a weapon such as a gun, knife, or club on school property in the past 12 months.
• In 2003, about 6% of students carried a weapon such as a gun, knife, or club on school property in the past 30 days, a decline from 12% in 1993.
• Sixteen school-associated homicides were of school age children between July 1, 1999 and June 30, 2000.
• In 2003, 21% of students reported the presence of street gangs in their schools.”

According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, in 1997, juveniles perpetrated 1400 murders in the United States.

These programs are making a difference in the behavior and rehabiltation of incarcerated juveniles–many of which are extremely violent, with serious emotional and anti-social behavior. These same kids and young adults will be murdering people, burning down homes, robbing banks and homes and carrying out other very heinous crimes if they are not intervened on in a meaningful–life altering way BEFORE they get out. And most will get out.

The lives of both humans and dogs are changed significantly through the successful adoptions and placements of prison pooch parolees. The evidence is in the stories—proof without refute.

Inmate trainers are turning both castaway and blueblood dogs into perfect companions and deeply loved pets. In some cases these dogs are becoming the ears, eyes and mobility for their new partners. They are alerting their vulnerable partners to oncoming seizures, ringing phones, dangerous traffic and ringing doorbells. They are picking up clothes, pulling off socks or simply providing the greatest therapy of all-love-and a warm furry body to cuddle with. 

These are stories of the journey from the dark depths of abuse or abandonment to the heights of loving companionship, and they are heartwarming. When you add the fact that these dogs, miraculously trained by prisoners, become invaluable service dogs, you can’t help but be hopeful about the future of bringing together perfectly paroled pooches with perfect people partners!

These are matches that have been made {or orchestrated?} in heaven for sure.

“It seems kind of silly,” he shares, “but I’ve just never had nothing like what Boomer gave me… you know…that unconditional love. It amazes me how something can so dramatically turn your life around. I do credit the Warden and the Psychologist for helping me turn my life around-but especially Boomer. He just unlocked some buried emotions. My whole life was just so dysfunctional. I tried to turn it around in prison with college and all that, but Boomer helped me with a lot of emotional things that I had kept hidden. I used to treat him like a baby, you know-I loved him and I know he loved me”

 Boomer was just seven-weeks-old when Leader Dogs for the Blind brought him to North Creek Correctional Center in 2002. At that time, it was a very new prison dog program. Just as Maggie, the prison program’s very first trainee puppy graduate was leaving; three more puppies were brought into the prison. One of those adorable, blueblood puppies with potential, was Boomer. And that encounter changed Brian’s life.

Boomer is now faithfully serving and guiding Brent-and is a loved member of Brent’s family. Brian is out of prison and has since suffered a  major debilitating aneurysm-but still keeps in touch with Boomers new family. 

It is a serious issue. Service dogs are expensive–even when they spend their basic training in prison programs. And the demand is growing to be able train enough dogs to meet the needs of this new and deserving population.

Please contact me if you have any information —or would like to get involved in some way. Or, you can Skype me at ID: prisondogsbook