Dogs like Daphne are set to be euthanized by Fulton County. But under this program, dogs are paired with inmates, like Mari, who will take care of and train them so they can be adopted.
“Any inmate is lucky to be able to enter such a program and help a dog out because if anyone understands a dog, it’s one of us inmates,” Mari says.
But it’s not just the dogs that benefit.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 67 percent of those who are released from prison or jail are arrested again within three years. And some jails across the country have found dogs actually can reduce the recidivism, or re-offense, rates of inmates.
There are about 25 jail dogs programs nationwide, and three in Georgia.
In Chatham County in southeast Georgia, the recidivism rate dropped considerably since the program started last year.
Lt. Robert Brooks, who coordinates the program, says that of 35 inmates who’ve been through the program last year, only 4 came back.
Without the program, he says the number would be more like 17 inmates.
“It’s really made an impact because these guys get in here and they get attached to the animal. And they bond with it, Brooks says. “There is someone else counting on them to make a good decision.”
Thirty miles northeast of Atlanta, Gwinnett County Jail’s program has been going on for three years.
via Can Dogs Stop the “Revolving Door” at Jails? | WABE 90.1 FM.
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