Cats for inmates

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http://petslady.com/articles/cats_jail_on_rise

What do you think?

 

While I think it's important that prison life isn't too comfortable for inmates (afterall it's meant to be a punishment), I think inmates taking care of cats is a wonderful idea. I have seen documentaries where inmates have taken care of adopted dogs and trained wild horses and evidence shows that caring for another being increases rehabilitation. Taking care of animals also shows the inmates that they can make a difference in others lives, that they are capable of doing good. It also teaches them responsibility. Animals also have a way of calming people down and spreading joy. Perhaps such relationships are benifical for both cats and inmates.

 

You're right. Think about it; Shelters are completely overpopulated and there are cats that have to be euthanized frequently. By having programs like this, more and more cats are given homes, too.

 

Sounds like a plan. So what happens when a prisoner has finished his term? Does he get to take a cat back home with him?

 

That's an interesting question. That would be rather neat and would also deter the ex inmates from reoffending as they have a calming friend for whom they have learned to care for. I'm not sure if cats are assigned to individuals or to a group of inmates though?

 

It sounds like they're split up into various areas. So one cat lives in the work release area, so that would mean lots of inmates would encounter that particular cat throughout the day. It would be interesting to see them have individual cats.

 

That's really interesting, and sounds like a good way to both improve rehabilitation and give some unwanted cats a home. It's incredible the effect that animals can have on people!

 

One thing is for sure. Having those cats in the prison is cheaper than paying for a bunch of psychiatrists. And probably doing more good, too.

 

Thanks for clarifying Jessie. I think it would be ideal if each new prisoner to join the program shared responsibility for a group cat at first to test their commitment and if they do well they could be rewarded with a cat of their own to care for. That way if they are released they can take the cat with them. Also the cats could be chosen for individual or group assignment depending on their temperament. Alternatively there could be a bunch of group cats and if a prisoner bonds with them they can sign responsibility for them.

 

That could work! I'm sure the prisoners bond with the cats and miss them when they finally get released, so I do like the idea of them being able to continue caring for the cat.

I wonder what money is used for the cat food, litter, vaccinations, etc?

 

That's an interesting point you bring up. Perhaps a charity helps out or the money is taken from money prisoners earn while in jail e.g working on a production line? I'd rather the latter than prisons and taxpayers just forking out the costs however as Victor Leigh mentioned it's a lot cheaper than other rehabilitation programs or having prisoners released and then reoffending.

 

There is also an ongoing program using dogs instead of cats to rehabilitate prisoners. The dogs are from rescue shelters and the prisoners help to train the dogs to become adoptable.


More information here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...g-rescue-dogs/2012/05/08/gIQAOo6kAU_blog.html

 

I saw a video about a foreign program like this (don't remember the country) where the inmates were given different animals, rabbits, cats etc. to look after, after a psychological evaluation. In this particular program the inmates are allowed to take home the animal when they have served their time.
It would be nice if the inmates in the US could keep the animals as pets when they leave.