The dogs won’t be the only ones learning valuable skills but will also help inmates gain a sense of accomplishment, empathy and patience. Similar programs report:
° 97% of inmate trainers demonstrated greater empathy and decreased depression and 87% improved communications skills
° Prison staff reported inmates were better behaving in dorms where dogs in training were assigned
Administrators will manage the program very tightly and any minor transgression will result in removal. Inmates are chosen based on a history of responsible behaviour, with positive reports from prior job assignments and no history of repeated violence. In addition, inmates with histories of crimes against animals or sex charges are not allowed to participate.