Prisoners training Dogs

In 2010 in Polmont Young Offenders Institution in Falkirk Scotland, a programme was introduced that paired up young offenders with dogs with behaviour problems. Now bearing in mind that putting together an unstable dog with an individual with a history of antisocial behaviour did not on the surface appear to be even a remotely good idea. The project, however, has been an unqualified success.

48 inmates were involved In the first three years. Out of the 101 delinquent dogs that were paired up with their young offenders, 91 were rehomed as being able to live with their new families such was the positive input from the inmates. A 90% success rate was extremely impressive for a pilot scheme. Not only did the canines benefit but the behaviour of the offenders improved with some realising that in fact, they had a talent the like of which they were totally unaware.

On their release some would seek employment working with animals They felt better about themselves having contributed positively to the transformation of the dogs’ behaviour. They learned to be patient, an essential requirement for working with animals. Also they had taken responsibility and seen the results. Of course, another factor in the success of this project is that younger people who resent the authority of older folk will feel an affinity with animals who are non-judgemental and have no preconceptions. What is in no doubt that among the participants in this programme reoffending has dramatically dropped. As one of the young offenders in this scheme was heard to say. “You think you are helping them but they are helping you too”

This idea has been extended nationwide to other prisons in the UK particularly HMP Norwich in 2018 and is under consideration by many other establishments. Sadly, there is still opposition to these programmes as some consider that prisoners should be punished. There are some who question the cost and ask if taxpayers’ money is being used. Surely any activity that has a proven record in the prevention of reoffending must be a good idea.

Cost Effective

The cost of keeping one prisoner in gaol for one day in the UK is over £100. That translates to the best part of £19,000 a year. You don’t need a degree in mathematics to work out that if even one inmate is saved from reoffending then the expenditure is money well spent. After all the dogs are free, the prisoners are not entitled to the minimum wage, and it is mostly volunteers who assist the prisoners. The behaviourist or professional trainer may require payment but it is clear to see that cost-wise it works.

We should be aware that this idea is not new. In the United States of America, this has been happening for years and has been expanded to include providing dogs for veterans of military conflicts who suffer from PTSD and other problems

Dog training programs (DTPs) came about by accident. In 1975 in Lima State Prison Hospital Ohio inmates adopted an injured bird.

Staff were rather perplexed to find that suddenly the group needed 50% less medication, there were fewer attempted suicides and there were far fewer instances of violence compared with groups where there were no animals.

The first official DTP was implemented at Washington State Corrections Centre for women in 1981.

A nun, Sister Pauline Quinn, recognised the therapeutic effect of animals when recovering from a psychiatric episode in her own life. There are now DTPs in hundreds of facilities across the USA.

Once in the program, it is rare for an inmate to misbehave as the consequence can be getting dropped from the group and the inevitability of loss of access to their canine.

One of the problems concerning the rehabilitation of prisoners is the stigma, the shame, the demotion of status which leads to a feeling of anger and worthlessness. The introduction of a dog with the resultant requirement to take responsibility has in many cases served to assist inmates get past their previous misdemeanours, give them hope for the future and moderates their behaviour towards the staff and fellow prisoners.

In the East Kentucky Correctional Facility dogs from a shelter due to be euthanized are rescued and paired up with prisoners on death row. It sounds a little macabre but it works. The prisoners have to meet certain criteria but it has shown that the result has a calming effect, reduces fighting and violence in general and beneficial to the smooth running of the establishment.

Elsewhere in the world

Spain also has an established DTP

In Australia, The Southern Queensland Correctional Centre (SQCC) for women has opened its own DTP.

The Pups in Prison programme is run by Assistance Dogs Australia. In Queensland, there are also two accredited court facility dogs who are there to assist witnesses, particularly children who are giving evidence. It is ironic that both these dogs have been trained by an inmate at the SQCC.

The prison has the only accredited correctional facility dog in Australia, who assists those who are considered to be at risk of self-harm.

Are DTPs the way forward? Will we see the prison population dramatically decrease as more dogs are introduced into this programme?

Sadly the answer is probably no!!

With the safety and wellbeing of the dogs a major priority and a restrictive requirement regarding the suitability of the participants then only a small number of offenders will be considered appropriate to be included. Despite this even if only a few participants on the DTP are rehabilitated along with the benefits to the dogs and the public who receive the newly re-integrated canines then the whole programme can be classed as a success.

It is slightly ironic that the UK with a reputation as a nation of “animal lovers” has been so slow to fully implement a programme that has shown to be so successful