Q: What type of dog programs are at the prisons?
A: We have prisons that are rescuing dogs from shelters and training/re-homing them. There are many service dog training programs, beginning training for future drug or bomb dogs to help the police in making this a better and safer place, dogs for search and rescue dog and guide dogs for the blind.

Q: How long does it take to start a program?
A: That depends on the warden, others in administration, who you have to help you get started and the “red tape” at the institution. (There will likely be a lot of it) The fact is there is no way to know how long it will take; it can be as quick as 2 months or more than a year. You just need to know that if you want it bad enough and persevere it will happen.

Q: Are security risks for the dogs or volunteers?
A: There are not a lot, but you have to learn that it is a prison, inmates can manipulate you and you must always be aware of where you are. You must keep your emotions in check remember that you need to show you care but always be professional. The inmates will appreciate your honesty and learn to respect your ability to be strict and enforce the rules without being condescending and rude. Inmates and staff alike appreciate these programs very much and for the most part will be eager to learn and be in the class.

Q: Will the program need to sign/create a contract with the prison?
A: There are more prisons that don’t do contracts than do contracts. The prisons are always the ones who have been in charge of everything, but you need to have a voice in how the program will be structured and run. Many programs are asking for a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) (We can give you a sample if you need it, just email donna@pathwaystohope.org)

You may want to have contracts with the inmates, spelling out how they are to conduct themselves within the program, what is expected of them and that they have to live by the rules that are in place and if they don’t they will lose the privilege of being in the program. Most programs institute a rule that if the inmate gets into any “trouble” or is “written up” then they lose the privilege of being in the program for a certain amount of time. You may find that you will have a couple of different times depending on the severity of the offence.

Q: What happens if a dog needs medical attention?
A: Most importantly, you need to have a volunteer who can take dog to the vet who is in close proximity to the prison. Then be sure that the prison has assigned someone within the prison staff who would be your liaison, someone who would look after your interests in the program from within the prison. (Very often prisons will assign a staff sponsor for the program) This should also be someone the inmates can go to if there are problems and this person would then relay the information back to you. It’s most important that this person be an advocate for the program as they will be important to the program’s success. (This can’t be someone with no backbone. They may have times that they will have to defend the program to their administration…)

Q: What offences have the inmates committed that are involved with these programs?
A: We have had all kinds of inmates, those in for murder and other sever offences are there longer and it is important to bring in long term inmates in because it takes a long time to learn how to train, having long term inmates in the program helps cut down on “retraining” trainers. In addition the long term inmates have the most time to dedicate to the program.

Q: How many inmates do you need to have a program?
A: That largely depends on how many dogs you are planning to have in the program. We usually suggest starting small. 4 is a good number to start with and work up from there. It is important to have primary trainers, secondary trainers, and baby sitters; so there are assistance in place if the primary trainers need help for one reason or another. (You can’t take the dog into the shower) So for each dog there should be 3 inmates minimum. From there you can have others in the program that may be learning how to train and that don’t necessarily have hands on yet with the dogs. This will keep a surplus of trainers ready when you begin to bring in additional dogs. (Some programs have as many as 20-30 dogs)

Q: What type of equipment will I need to supply the prison with?
A: That depends on what the prison allows you to bring in. Crates in the rooms or in the dorms that the dog stays in at night or can put in during the day. With service dogs, additional equipment like wheelchairs and walkers, canes, crutches etc. are helpful in the training process and most prisons will give you a storage closet for equipment. Generally the program supplies everything for the program. If you can get help from the prison with regards to fenced play areas or other items that’s a huge plus!

Q: What type of curriculum do you suggest?
A: Education is very important; bring in educational videos, how to groom dogs, how a trained dog behaves, service/guide dog videos, so they might see something that they would really like to learn once they get out. Theory of training, dog/animal behavior is very important. (A full training manual is available for purchase through Good Shepherd Services. Please contact donna@gssllc.org) You will need qualified trainers and back up trainers so if one can’t be there for one reason or another the program continues on. You’ll also need volunteers to help take dogs out for socialization and home time. You need to be sure these people are committed.

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