Humanizing Prisons with Animals: A Closer Look at "Cell Dogs" and Horse Programs in

Correctional Institutions
Author(s): Christiane Deaton
Source: Journal of Correctional Education (1974-) , March 2005, Vol. 56, No. 1 (March
2005), pp. 46-62
Published by: Correctional Education Association

Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/23282783

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 The Journal of Correctional Education 56(1) • March 2005

Humanizing Prisons with Animals:

A Closer Look at "Cell Dogs"
and Horse Programs
in Correctional Institutions

Christiane Deaton

Abstract

If correctional education aims to transform individuals and bring about change,

we need to consider the whole person who comes with human needs,
emotions and attitudes. In order to expand our approach, alternative programs
should be explored. A somewhat unusual but very promising approach to
address offenders' human needs is the use of animals in institutions. The

majority of these programs have a vocational skills component: Inmates train

dogs to become service dogs for the disabled, or they work with horses, either
wild mustangs or retired race horses in need of rehabilitation. Although
vocational training is certainly a major consideration, these programs are also
highly therapeutic and rehabilitative. Suggested outcomes can benefit many:
The inmate, the institution, other agencies, and the community. The purpose of
this article is to raise awareness of selected animal-assisted programs in
correctional institutions and their reported benefits.

Introduction

Traditionally, educational programs in correctional institutions which intend

to rehabilitate (or habilitate) adult and juvenile offenders stay within proven,
safe parameters considered appropriate for this setting. Most address specific
"deficits' of the offender, such as lack of vocational skills, basic education
needs/CED, drug and alcohol abuse, etc.). The delivery of these programs is
based on the underlying rational assumption: "This is what you need to succeed
in society. You don't have it. Here's the solution if you want to turn your life
around." While this approach is helpful in increasing the offender's knowledge
or skills and might work for some, it is limited. If correctional education aims to

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 The Journal of Correctional Education 56(1) « March 2005
Deaton Humanizing Prisons with Animals

transform individuals and bring about change, it is nec

whole person inside the uniform, who always comes
emotions and attitudes.

Depending on one's perspective, correctional education can be defined in

different ways: Program-based (where correctional education is an institutional
program), situational (education taking place inside correctional institutions) or
inherent (emphasizing the correctional dimension and the teaching of confined
offenders who have human needs) (Gehring, 2004). While the inherent
definition is the most comprehensive, it is also the most challenging: It is
conceivable to provide educational programs in prison, or to deliver education
in a correctional setting, but how do we address human needs of incarcerated
individuals? Taking this concept one step further, Zollman (1993) stated:
"Education that remains merely on the surface of human life, that fails to go to
the heart of being, will inevitably fail in being correctional or, in other words,
formative, reformative, and transformative' (p. 93). How, then, can correctional
educators address human needs, emotions or attitudes? After all, incarceration
is not a therapeutic endeavor - we are not supposed to make prisoners "feel
good" in correctional institutions which are punitive by nature. Based on what
could be called a "dilemma" at best and "mission impossible" at worst, it is
helpful to look outside the proverbial box toward alternative approaches. One
such approach that provides opportunities to meet basic human needs such as
love, acceptance, respect, trust, self-worth and usefulness involves incarcerated
individuals caring for other living things, especially animals. Utilizing animals in
institutional programs opens important dimensions; where human caregivers
and teachers step on treacherous ground, we are likely to encounter less
opposition to the idea of using animals to promote healing and change.
Animal-assisted programs in correctional institutions have gained increased
media attention, especially after the cable channel Animal Planet aired several
episodes of its "Cell Dogs" documentary. It features a number of programs in
correctional facilities across the country where inmates train dogs either for
service to the disabled, or to be adoptable by the public. Other institutions offer
programs where inmates train and work with horses, either by rehabilitating
retired racehorses or gentling wild mustangs. At first, it appears that the
majority of these programs provide vocational skills, work experience, or a
service to the community. Upon taking a closer look, it becomes evident they
are also highly therapeutic. Working with animals provides meaningful
experiences for incarcerated individuals during which many important life
lessons are learned.

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 The Journal of Correctional Education 56(1) ♦ March 2005
Humanizing Prisons with Animals Deaton

The purpose of this article is to raise awareness of s

programs and their reported benefits in correctional ins
of what we know is based on observation, anecdotal ev
these programs are certainly more than "the latest fad"
with any developing field, there is more literature avail
research. This article is therefore intended to introduce
correctional education professionals to animal-assisted
them to explore this promising approach.

Theoretical Framework
The idea of using animals in institutions is certainly not new, nor is it based on
a whim by animal lovers. Its origin can be traced to the concept of the human
animal bond (HAB), a term first conveyed by pioneers such as Konrad Lorenz
and Boris Levinson whose work greatly influenced the scientific community in
the 1970s and 1980s, predominantly in the field of veterinary medicine (Hines,
2003). Hines pointed out that while this emerging field attempted to be
interdisciplinary early on, it gained credibility and recognition through
presentations at national and international interdisciplinary conferences and
their subsequent proceedings. In 1985, Karen Miller Allen published the first
annotated bibliography on the human-animal bond. Today, HAB is widely
recognized and accepted, largely as a result of the media coverage on
community programs which utilized pets as therapeutic agents. The Delta
Society, an international organization established in 1977 in Portland, Oregon,
has become a leading resource for the human-animal bond and the important
role of animals for people's health and well-being. Professionals such as Phil
Arkow of the Humane Society and Leo Bustad, a founder of the Delta Society,
were among the first to take animals into nursing homes in the late 70s and
80s. Since then, these early activities have evolved. After being originally
referred to as pet therapy or pet-facilitated therapy (PFT), they were defined by
the Delta Society as "animal-assisted activities" (AAA) and "animal-assisted
therapy" (AAT) (Hines, 2003).
According to the Delta Society's definitions, animal-assisted activities (AAA)
are "goal-directed activities that improve a client's quality of life through the use
of the human-animal bond" (Granger and Kogan, 2000, p. 214), whereas
animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a "goal-directed intervention that utilizes the
human-animal bond as an integral part of the treatment process" (p. 213). As
with many other disciplines that are still in the early phases of professional
development, there is no general agreement on how AAA or AAT is to be

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 The Journal of Correctional Education 56(1) • March 2005
Deaton Humanizing Prisons with Animals

conducted. We find many variations, depending on se

population. A variety of animals are used, ranging fr
birds, fish, rabbits, dogs and cats to larger animals suc
animals, even dolphins. Activities take place in a numbe
long-term care facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, sch
institutional settings.
Cusack (1988) suggested in the early stages of the d
field that "animals can be vitally important for the fri
prisoners, the physically challenged, and the mentally i
stressed that "perhaps most important, pets seem to br
there is a capacity for affection, compassion, for empa
overlooked by our human fellows, a pet has an uncanny
(p.33). Similarly, Beck and Katcher (1983) concluded t
adversity...affection from a pet takes on new meanin
continuing affection is a sign that the essence of the
damaged" (p. 31). These conclusions support the idea
activities in prison can allow incarcerated individuals
first step towards healing and change.

Historical Background a Early Programs

The first recorded use of AFT took place in 1792 at the
an asylum run by a Quaker group, where common fa
part of the treatment and as an alternative to restrain
In 1867, Bethel was founded in Bielefeld, Germany, a
where animals were an integral part of treatment; toda
a center of healing for the disadvantaged with more
(Catanzaro, 2003). in the United States, the first well-
for rehabilitative purposes took place in 1944 at the Ar
Convalescent Center in Pawling, New York, where dogs
animals were used as a diversion from the intense the
airmen (Beck, 2000). In 1947, Green Chimneys, a 75-ac
New York, was founded as a home for emotionally an
children and adolescents by the Ross family. Still in op
Chimneys has expanded to over 160 acres and has b
agency which now serves children and adults from N
regions. It is considered the strongest and most diverse
farm, animal, plant and wildlife assisted activities whe

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 The Journal of Correctional Education 56(1) • March 2005
Humanizing Prisons with Animals Deaton

interactions have been an active component for over

organizational changes (Mallon and Ross, 2000).
In 1975, David Lee pioneered the first successful an
in a U.S. prison at the Oakwood Forensic Center (forme
Hospital for the Criminally Insane) in Lima, Ohio. Lee (
improvement in some men after they found an injured
into the institution where they fed and cared for it in
Lee consequently initiated a 90-day experiment whic
expectations. A study conducted at Lima in 1981 com
with pets to patients on a ward without pets. Lee repor
with pets needed half as much medication, had drasti
violence and had no suicide attempts during the year
232). The "ward without pets had eight documented s
same year" (p. 232). At Lima, long-term patients keep t
hamsters, fish or other small animals living in their ce
short terms before being returned to prison visit and w
such as deer, goats, ducks, geese and rabbits. Eight year
program was using more than 170 pets and was consi
Lee concluded that an institution can receive the follow
therapeutic pet program: *1. A comfortable atmosphe
of patient self-worth. 3. A necessary diversion. 4. Prov
235). The underlying philosophy is to help patients he
began to train dogs for the Pilot Dog program (which p
for the blind) in 1996.
What began as a dream for Kathy Quinn, now know
the foundation for starting over 17 dog training progr
correctional facilities. Quinn got together with Dr. Leo
in the field of AAT, and they began a dog training pro
Correction Center for Women in Gig Harbor. The repor
program are numerous: The incarcerated women dev
experienced an increase in self-esteem, and earned co
dogs from the humane society that would otherwise
trained to become service dogs for people with specia
Another pioneer in the field of AAT is Dr. Ron Zaidl
training program at the state penitentiary in Canon Ci
1970s. The penitentiary had bought three wild mustan
Land Management but was unable to train them. Zaid
though it had not been intended to teach vocational s

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 The Journal of Correctional Education 56(1) » March 2005
Deaton Humanizing Prisons with Animals

learn equine husbandry, from gentling wild horses to tr

illnesses, with some men becoming terriers. Inmates a
and trust. As an added benefit, the Department of Cor
support the prison (Strimple, 2003).
A similar initiative, the Wild Mustang Program, oper
New Mexico Correctional Facility from 1988 to 1992. I
need to tame and train wild horses in danger of starvati
Land Management began to remove wild horses from o
it created a partnership with the New Mexico Departmen
Inmates would halter break the mustangs and prepare
general public. Granger and Kogan (2000) concluded th
win-win situation. The horses were handled humanely,
improve its public image, and the correctional facility w
its inmates that did not threaten any private industry"
and Williams (1995) prepared a comprehensive research
Mustang Program which included qualitative and quant
results of this study can be summarized as follows: Sub
revealed that inmates assumed a nurturing role by carin
a staff member commented:

This program gave them the opportunity to know themselves. They didn't
know that they could give affection, and be gentle. They had to be able to
give peace to the horse. They had a responsibility to the horse and had to
pull these attitudes out of themselves in order to do the job. (p. 101)

In addition, inmates experienced a sense of autonomy by being in charge

of their project and accomplishing a common goal. While the corrals were built
just outside the facility, not one inmate tried to escape. Another perceived
benefit was that inmates worked through and overcame the danger of being
near these wild horses: The inmates would be taking the fear out' of
themselves at the same time they were taking the fear out' of the mustang"
(p.102). The local administration stated that inmates developed increased self
esteem and self-confidence. This sense of accomplishment was shared by
corrections staff who viewed the program as providing meaningful and
productive work.
Overall, the qualitative evidence suggested the Wild Mustang Program
contributed to better emotional and psychological states of the inmates and
staff. Furthermore, the study's data analysis revealed that of the 56 men who

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 The Journal of Correctional Education 56(1) • March 2005
Humanizing Prisons with Animals Deaton

had participated in the WMP and been released, only

reincarcerated in New Mexico for an estimated recidivi
This figure was considerably lower than the average rec
Mexico (38.12%) although the authors warned that evi
recidivism is inconclusive. Their data did support, on th
"participation in the WMP is clearly associated with a re
number of disciplinary reports and the severity of repo
major to minor" (p. 106). Interestingly, the study reveale
participants also received substance abuse counseling, d
decreased by 55%. The authors concluded their study b
efforts "reveal strong subjective assessments of positive
program....it seems advisable to continue the Wild Must
attention to the evaluation research needed..." (p.110).

Examples of Recent Programs

Animal training programs in correctional facilities have
appearance in a few facilities. The following is a brief de
programs that focus on training dogs or horses. By incl
component, these programs offer measurable benefits,
and provide a service to the community by training anim
would be of little use. Programs that go beyond strictly
prevail, perhaps because they are less likely to encount
correctional system or the general public. The lack of jo
subject led to a preliminary search of general news medi
newspaper articles published during the past five years
horse programs in correctional facilities. While these art
research-based evidence of the effectiveness of the prog
reader of current practices and reported benefits which
interest. The programs are grouped by type of animal
chronological order of the article's publication date (ple
exception of the Walkill and Hickey program, no attemp
that the programs are still operating).

Dog Training Programs

At the Washington State Correctional Center for Women
facility, inmates are training dogs to be service animals
must first pass a 12-week training course which teache
care, grooming and training. Part of their day is spent a

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 The Journal of Correctional Education 56(1) « March 2005
Deaton Humanizing Prisons with Animals

where dozens of dogs and a few cats are boarded by p

these services, together with donations and grants, fun
program. As a result of limited funding only about 1
the program at a time. Since it started, over 75 wome
program is considered a

...win-win-win situation: It's good for the dogs, ofte

where they'd otherwise be killed. It's good for the
experience a new world of freedom with the dogs at
forever change the lives of the inmates. ("Inmates

The article cites the following inmate testimony: "I've

know now it depends on me to change my life...Doin
self-esteem. This is something I can do" (p. A2). Accord
program participants' recidivism rate over three year
reference was made how the data was obtained).
A similar dog training program was launched at th
Facility, a medium-security prison in Maine, in 1999.
breeders spend about a year in training performed by
graduation, they are placed with a disabled person in
National Education for Assistance Dogs Services. The p
Crover, a full-time guard with a background in trainin
the dogs, accompanied by their inmate trainers, into
accustomed to crowds and noises in the real world. This socialization effect

benefits not only the dogs but also the inmates. Gold (2000) suggested that "a
year into the program at the Maine prison, there have been two clear results: a
decrease in prison tension that surprised even corrections officials and some
extraordinary well-trained dogs" (p. B12). She cited the commissioner of the
Maine Department of Corrections, Martin Magnusson, to support her findings:
"The bonding that the prisoners have with these dogs by caring for them is
visible throughout the prison environment. For some inmates, this is their first
encounter as a positive role model for the community" (p. B12). The impact of
this program on participants appears considerable: "I think totally differently. I
have a more positive outlook, and I daily learn to be more patient" (p. B12). In
2000, the program also planned to add dog training and grooming to the
vocational classes offered by the institution.
The Prison Pup Program at Bland Correctional Center in Virginia, a
medium-security facility, also trains puppies to be used as service dogs. After a

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 The Journal of Correctional Education 56(1) • March 2005
Humanizing Prisons with Animals Deaton

year of training, they are turned over to the St. Francis

Foundation in Roanoke for placement. After Hough, the
Francis who supervises the program, gave the inmates
she was impressed that all of the inmates had read the
(Hammack, 2002, p.B16). She pointed out that "puppie
to learn faster. Not only do the inmates have lots of spa
crave the companionship a dog can provide behind bar
also quotes Marie Suthers-McCabe, a veterinary profess
human-animal interaction who studied the program: "I
character-building exercise because it's an opportunity
(p. B16). One of the inmates agreed with her: "It's not ab
about the dogs and the program and the handicapped
you're doing something productive instead of just wast
inmate stated that "it puts you back in touch with what
being* (p. B16).
The Pen Pals program at the James River Correctiona
began in 2001 and is designed to save unwanted dogs a
euthanasia by turning them into adoptable pets. Its train
and operated by Save Our Shelters, an animal protectio
channel "Animal Planet" aired a one-hour episode of its
earlier this year which documented this program's suc
trained, all but one completed the program (Baskervill
dogs are certainly not the only ones who benefit. The
Sam Pruett as he expressed the program's influence on p
animal lover myself, I think having animals in the insti
overall morale of inmates and staff* (Baskervill, p. C3).
In 2003, the Second Chance Prison Canine Program,
Woods, started a prison program to train service dogs at
Florence Correctional Center in Arizona, a private prison
Corrections Corporation of America. Woods, who is a r
multiple sclerosis, concluded that "not only do these me
these dogs, they transform their own lives" (Matas, 2003
Florence Correctional Center already offered vocational
they decided to add dog training after they learned ab
program at another Corrections Corporation facility, Ki
Center in Burlington, Colorado. Its warden, Hoyt Brill, st
months the dog program was running, the prison atm

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 The Journal of Correctional Education 56(1) • March 2005
Deaton Humanizing Prisons with Animals

brings a quietness, a gentleness....It gives our inmate

the community. Most of them have never been invol
they had to give. They're takers" (Matas, p. Bl). A 29-
serving time for murder concluded: "I spent a lot of ti
trying to be anyway, and coming back to your true se
and these dogs need love" (p. Bl). Additional informa
Chance Prison Canine Program and excellent links to
found at their website: www.secondchanceprisoncanin
Another dog training program featured in an episod
located at the Branchville Correctional Center in Indian
months of training, the dogs become service dogs to ch
physical, mental or emotional disabilities. This progra
through donations of food, equipment and medical ca
dogs on trips outside the prison to get them used to di
(Hayden, 2004). Branchville's superintendent had hea
successful program in Indiana, and after further inves
program himself, despite the prison staff's reservation
prison as sort of a privilege. This concern was soon e
realized the rigorous training schedule and hard work
While the programs previously described all are im
facilities, Project Pooch matches unwanted dogs with
provide obedience training to prepare them for adoptio
Founded in 1993, Project Pooch was implemented at
Authority's McLaren Juvenile Correctional Facility. It i
where results were documented in a three-year study
Arduini, Ph. D., Pepperdine University, California. Her
considerable behavior improvement by students in th
authority, social interaction and leadership. Students
program reported improvement in the areas of honest
social growth, self-confidence and pride of accomplishm
rate was also reported (Strimple, 2003).

Horse Programs
Using horses in animal programs at correctional institu
feasible where appropriate facilities can be set up nearb
a legitimate concern when handling these large animals
horses can provide a powerful, unique experience. Cur

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 The Journal of Correctional Education 56(1) ♦ March 2005
Humanizing Prisons with Animals Deaton

correctional facilities for two basic purposes: To gentle

for sale to the public, or to rehabilitate retired racehor
show very encouraging results.
At Colorado's largest prison complex in Canon City,
mustangs in a program administered by the Bureau o
began in 1987. The horses are gathered from rangela
population. After training, they are sold at prison auct
suggested "this unusual program is a significant footn
society is meting out stiffer sentences, prison populati
rehabilitation is often discouraged" (pg. 1). She addres
as follows:

Still, the idea of melding prisoners with mustangs - which to many

epitomize freedom - is an odd antithesis. Yet, for the 30 or so inmates
.. .the decade-old program isn't just about tasting freedom from the back of
a magnificent animal. It is an arduous exercise in discipline, patience, and
courage. Prisoners often find their limits tested, (p.1)

The article also cites inmates' responses to the program: "It teaches that you
have to use something other than violence to deal with [the challenge]....you
have to learn to finesse your way through it" (p. 1). Another inmate pointed out:
"You gain life skills from this....T1iey are all different, so you have to be
flexible...You have to be patient. You have to get over a lot of humps as far as
fear is concerned" (p. 1). Prison officials also believe that giving inmates an
opportunity to bond with the horses helps them prepare for life outside prison.
They report that the participants' recidivism rate is much lower than the
national average - 45% vs. 75%. In addition to their hands-on training, inmates
participate in 160 hours of classroom education, including basic horse care and
veterinary medicine, and learn business-management skills which may lead to a
job after their release. The program generates a considerable profit from the
sale of the horses - $50,000 in 1996 - since horses are sold typically between
$700 and $800 (less the $150 adoption fee which goes back to the BLM) (Lloyd,
1997).
A similar operation began in 1987 at the California Correctional Center in
Susanville, a minimum security facility. While this facility offers many vocational
training options, the certified 90-day horse gentling program is one of the most
popular (Snyder, 1998). The corrals are located on Corrections property but

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 The Journal of Correctional Education 56(1) ♦ March 2005
Deaton Humanizing Prisons with Animals

outside the barbed wire of the prison. By using the res

inmates and horses learn how to trust and respect eac
in the article summarized the program's multiple benef

This is probably the best program the CDC puts out.

behind the wall, work with horses and learn a lot, ab
The horses come in wild and go out to the public g
for the inmates. Out here we are all equal....We don
and you learn you can go as far as you really want

For many inmates participating in this program, the m

when they show "their" horses to the public for adopt
words of this inmate:

I know everyone considers us vermin and convicts, and sure, we screwed

up....But the last time they held an adoption, the outside people gave us
all a round of applause, and for the first time in a long time, we felt like
real human beings, (p. Z1)

The Wyoming Honor Farm in Riverton began its wild horse training
program in 1989 at this minimum security State prison. They offer partially
trained horses to the public in a cooperative effort with the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM). Ron Hail, BLM wild horse and burro manager in Rock
Springs, considers it".. .the most successful cooperative arrangement in the
country....It helps the horse, the BLM, the inmate and the adopter" (Svan, 2000,
p. A36). Svan suggested that the program is a success story because it turns out
two products that are a benefit to society - trained horses and inmates who are
better prepared for life outside confinement, having learned such life skills as
respect, facing their fears and admitting their shortcomings.
Several other horse programs at correctional facilities began with a quite
different purpose: To rehabilitate retired race horses. When the Thoroughbred
Retirement Foundation was looking for properties to house their horses, they
discovered an opportunity to utilize a 110-acre parcel of abandoned dairy
acreage at the Walkill Correctional Facility in New York (Crist, 1989). An
agreement with the New York State Department of Correctional Services was
reached, and they began a program where low-risk prisoners would learn how
to take care of retired racehorses. From its beginning in 1984, it has been

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 The Journal of Correctional Education 56(1) • March 2005
Humanizing Prisons with Animals Deaton

evident that this program is rehabilitating humans as w

considered an "extraordinary vocational-training progr
renewed hope and a second chance for...inmates and
(Crist, p. 7). Many of the race horses had been discar
for the meat auction after they no longer had econom
their racing careers. After they arrive at the facility, i
and nurse them back to physical and emotional health
affects not only the horses, but the inmates as well.
In what can be considered a mutually benefiting re
inmates help each other. Jim Tremper, head of the voc
said he had seen the horses change the prisoners' liv
changed the horses'. "Especially the more violent guy
intimidated people with their size in their lives, and th
power and strength of the animal. It humbles many of
At the same time, the program offers much more than
While half of the students' time is spent working wi
takes place in the classroom where inmates complete
on a State accredited curriculum developed by the Th
Foundation (Crist, p. 7). The program also attempts t
track or farm jobs after they are released. The Departm
Services has been working with officials to license th
basis. Crist concluded that "the Walkill program will pr
unusually skilled and motivated candidates for those [r
the state will license them and the trainers will give th
Another program of this kind operates at the Charle
Baltimore, Maryland, a juvenile detention center. And
the farm on behalf of the Thoroughbred Retirement
the emotional connections juveniles make by caring fo
their lives around. "What they [the horses] are giving b
unconditional love that they don't have" (Pedulla, 200
effect on the lives of incarcerated juveniles, while diff
largely based on personal experience, is profound. "I
life, and without something dramatic happening, I don
changed" (p. C3). These words came from a 17-year ol
graduating and continuing his education in college; h
and farm experience at Hickey "helped him cope with t
freedom for the first time* (p. 3C). Betty Jo Bock, a vo
Florida Department of Corrections cited in this article,

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 The Journal of Correctional Education 56(1) ♦ March 2005
Deaton Humanizing Prisons with Animals

results of the combination of inmates and horses to th

inmates lack social upbringing and rely on power and c
horse, you have to have effective communication" (p.
that "in working to create that safe and comfortable en
horses, many inmates must depart from the conduct th
freedom" (p. C3).
Other programs operated by the Thoroughbred Reti
located at the Blackburn correctional facility in Kentuck
Correctional Facility in Oklahoma, and the Marion Corre
Ocala, Florida. Since 1999, the Blackburn farm has been
prison on 100 acres donated by the State of Kentucky.
pastures extend to the interstate freeway and it would
one has attempted it; inmates say that "they count the
doing something worthwhile" (Simon, 2001, p. A5). Thi
work for all parties involved: The prison gets a job-train
foundation gets free labor. The horses get devoted care
chance to feel good about themselves" (p. A5). At Crabt
burros, mustangs, riding horses, quarter horses and tho
Tech Equine Center. This five-acre facility also contracts
Management to train mustangs in Oklahoma's only ope
facility. Of the men that graduated from the horse prog
work with race horses or the agricultural industry (Ferg
not only the retired race horses get a second chance thr
the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) (which i
donations). The TRF has spent about 20 years trying to
2001, it was sheltering 335 horses, including 134 on pris
taken care of by about five dozen inmates (Simon, 200
be obtained at their website: www.trfinc.org.

Conclusion

Despite lack of research on the overall effectiveness of these programs,

there is reasonable evidence that they can be highly successful. In all of the
programs discussed in this article, adult or juvenile offenders learn new skills
while being engaged physically, mentally and most often emotionally. The
animals can facilitate a change within the individual which cannot easily be
matched by traditional methods. Others, such as the institution, its staff, and the
community benefit as well. Animals that might otherwise be destroyed or of

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 The Journal of Correctional Education 56(1) ♦ March 2005
Humanizing Prisons with Animals Deaton

little value are also being helped. When properly imp

can provide a "win-win" approach.
Skeptics might argue that giving prisoners puppies o
under blue sky sounds more like a vacation than puni
approaches such as animal-assisted programs will cer
institutions where the "get tough" approach replaces re
for those of us in correctional education who want to transform individuals and

prepare them for a successful life in the community after their release, animal
assisted activities are a promising approach that can aid our efforts.
As in any developing field, there is a need for research studies that can
support claims made by individuals in support of these programs. Research
based evidence of their effectiveness would certainly add validity to this field. It
is difficult to increase general support and expand innovative ideas without
evaluation of measurable data.

Careful consideration should be given to designing these studies. Any

single program cannot be a "cure-all"; in most cases, a comprehensive approach
is necessary to bring about true change. Establishing animal-assisted programs
might initially require considerable persuasion. However, while the risks
involved might have been considerable for the institutions that pioneered the
programs, it should be easier today to become involved since the reported
results are so positive. These programs certainly deserve a closer look.

References
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Humanizing Prisons with Animals Deaton

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Biographical Sketch

CHRIST1ANE DEATON has been teaching at a Court and Co

Riverside County Office of Education since 1997. She works
expelled youth. She is currently obtaining her Master's Degr
with an Integrative Studies Option in Education. Her researc
assisted activities with an emphasis on equine-facilitated ac
at TiaDeaton@aol.com.

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