| Photo Courtesy of Assistance Dogs of America |
As he leaves office, Philadelphia Gov. Rendell is already focused on a pet cause he hopes will help ease two problems at once: He wants to give pooches to prisoners.
The goal is to make a dent in the state’s burgeoning stray-animal crisis, while giving selected inmates responsibility for dogs – a pairing that has worked well in prisons that have tried it.
Rendell told The Inquirer that he wanted to create a network of animal shelters at state prisons to respond to the rising number of shelters that no longer accept stray dogs and cats.
In what may be his first action as a civilian, Rendell, who leaves office Tuesday, said he planned to announce his shelter plan as early as this week.
While the statewide network he envisions might be a first, using inmates as animal trainers and caretakers is not novel.
Prisons around the country – including at least four in Pennsylvania – have programs that match selected inmates with dogs. In some cases, inmates get special training, and in turn train the dogs to help the disabled or to serve as companion animals for families.
“It works for everybody,” said Kelly McGinley, coordinator of the Hounds of Prison Education (HOPE) program, which has operated at the state’s Camp Hill maximum-security prison since 2005. “It provides dogs with training and socialization, while foster groups work on placing them with families.
“At the same time, it has a calming effect on prisoners – even those not involved in the program.”
Inmates qualify for the HOPE program if they have had no disciplinary infractions for at least a year. Those convicted of sex crimes or animal cruelty are not eligible.
I think this is a fabulous idea and I've watched shows that have done this. The animals are saved, it helps the prisoners work toward something and it most probably saves financially. It's a positive thing all around.
We purchased our largest dog from a prison program in our state. The money we spent paid back for the animals care and also some money that went to the prisoner. The prisoner's monies earned either went to pay restitution for a crime or to help pay for their first month going into a half-way house when they would qualify for such.
I think this is a very good program and we got a wonderful dog with basic training that we were able to expand upon making him a valuable and loved guard/family dog.