Prison inmate—animal bond: Outcomes of offenders training shelter dogs

Over 6.9 million offenders were incarcerated in the United States in 2012. One rehabilitative intervention involves human-animal interaction (HAI) programs; however beneficial reports are largely anecdotal with limited systematic evidence. This study aimed to investigate the extent to which offender participation in a shelter dog training program was associated with self-esteem, locus of control and personal factors.

A non-random, two-group, pre/post-test experimental design was used in 4 all-male correctional facilities with a treatment group (TG, dog trainers) and control group (CG, offenders receiving usual standard of care). Dogs lived with offender trainers while undergoing basic obedience training weekly for 8-weeks led by a certified dog trainer to the AKC Canine Good Citizens (CGC) level. Data collection occurred at three intervals (baseline, 8 and 16 weeks).

Three-hundred eleven offenders were enrolled in the study; n=137 dog trainers (mean age=34.4 years) and n=174 control group offenders (mean age=34.7 years). Preliminary findings for the self-esteem (SEI) and locus of control (LOC) scales have been evaluated. TG baseline (n=137): LOC mean=15.01, range=7-23; SEI mean=67.97, range=24-88. TG 16-week (n=89): LOC mean=15.02, range=7-22; SEI mean=69.45, range=16-88. CG baseline (n=174): LOC mean=16.03, range=10-24; SEI mean=65.67, range=12-88. CG 16-week (n=92): LOC mean=16.23, range=9-23; SEI mean=66.91, range=16-92. Data on self-rated health scale and personal factors are currently being analyzed and will be presented.

This program provides a mutual benefit to the offenders, dogs, and community and could potentially set the standard for HAI programs in the prison setting by serving as a model for other U.S. Department of Corrections.