Pup's in prison reaches milestone

Acting Corrective Services Minister Robert Schwarten applauded Queensland's innovative prisoner rehabilitation program after it notched up a milestone with more than 100 puppies being cared for by prisoners at Numinbah Correctional Centre

"Pups in Prison is an outstanding program that sees prisoners caring for puppies. The program provides prisoners with positive experiences, helps them establish new levels of responsibility, self-esteem and communication skills while also developing patience, compassion and cooperation," Mr Schwarten said.

"Through programs like this prisoners are able to make real changes to their lives and significantly reduce their likelihood of reoffending."

The latest litter of nine Cattle cross puppies to arrive at the centre will be cared for by prisoners during the festive season on behalf of the Gold Coast-based Animal Welfare League.

Female prisoners foster the puppies and their mothers until they are old enough to become family pets.The prisoners assist the pups to gain weight, toilet train them, exercise them and teach them social skills and good behaviour. AWL then place the dogs with new families.

The successful Pups in Prison partnership with AWL has also been expanded to prisoners caring for pets left temporarily homeless following family breakdowns as part of the "Pets in Crisis" program.

NCC General Manager Bernie Kruhse said since Pups in Prison was launched at the centre in 2006 it has delivered important outcomes for all involved. "The dogs have a calming effect that provides a therapeutic benefit for the prisoners involved," he said.

"AWL benefits by having the pups trained for placement and the dogs benefit by being cared for and prepared for their new homes.

AWL's Animal Welfare & Enrichment Officer Michelle Critchley said having NCC as a foster home solved a problem for the shelter. "It allows us to get mums and large litters into a foster home without splitting them up," she said."It also means all the pups receive an equal amount of socialising."

Michelle said having prisoners work at the shelter was a win-win situation.
 

Reference: Pic - Laura, available for adoption AWL QLD

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