Comprehensive Evaluation of Dog Training and Rehabilitation Initiatives in Correctional Facilities

Fournier, Angela K.; Winston, Lori

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-25618-0_9

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Monitoring tools can serve multiple purposes within a community service DTP; for example, recording training progress is a simple and efficient measure which can enhance communication with various stakeholders [ 56 ]. Within a DTP, training scores allow handlers and staff to assess how well each dog is doing and identify specific training needs, while also providing objective feedback to handlers on their effectiveness as trainers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Participation in a Prison-Based Training Programme Is Beneficial for Rescue Dogs

Leonardi,

Vick,

Buchanan-Smith

2024

Animals

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Dogs are often relinquished because of behavioural issues which may be exacerbated in rehoming centres. Prison-based dog training programmes (DTPs) may enhance outcomes for rescue dogs by providing socialisation and training opportunities to improve behaviour, welfare and likelihood of rehoming. We assessed whether dogs benefitted from participation, 1–3 times per week, in a prison-based DTP in which male young offenders learn how to train and care for dogs waiting to be rehomed. Within DTP sessions, there was significant improvement on a range of training tasks (n = 42 dogs). Analyses of videos (n = 17 dogs) in the kennels and a training barn pre- and post-DTP participation showed improvement in some positive behaviours, but no significant change in other behaviours. Subjective ratings by staff of the dogs’ behaviour were made (n = 20 dogs). Desirable behaviours (e.g., playful/friendly) increased, and most undesirable behaviours (e.g., frustrated and noisy) decreased. Participation in the DTP did not mitigate all negative behaviours. However, improvements are consistent with enhanced welfare and likelihood of successful rehoming. Prison-based DTPs can be effective in supporting the work of animal rescue organisations to improve outcomes for dogs, while offering people in custody an opportunity to engage in purposeful activity and provide a community service.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Participation in a Prison-Based Training Programme Is Beneficial for Rescue Dogs

Leonardi,

Vick,

Buchanan-Smith

2024

Animals

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“…Dogs play a central role in these hypotheses, as these animals in particular have been recognized for their capability to form strong relationships with humans, owing to their sensitivity (and responsivity) to human emotion . The companionship of a dog can be particularly needed in prison, as the correctional environment can be repressing and physically as well as socially depriving (e.g., Fournier & Winston, 2019;Furst, 2019). In this "lonely" prison environment (e.g., Furst, 2019), the attachment to the dog can help inmates feel socially supported; this may help them deal with negative emotions and increase their wellbeing (e.g., Beetz, 2017).…”

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confidence: 99%

Who Lets the Dog In? Differential Effects of a Dog-Training Program for Incarcerated Adults

et al. 2021

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This quasi-experimental study examined the short-term effectiveness of Dutch Cell Dogs (DCD), a short prison-based dogtraining program, on anti-social behavioral and wellbeing outcomes of incarcerated adults (n = 138; men = 133; women = 5). Little is known about the responsivity of subgroupsand the prerequisites of changein dog-training programs (DTPs). Therefore, the role of moderators (age, cultural background, correctional facility type) and predictors (dog bond, implementation process) of DCD was also assessed. Results demonstrated that DCD (n = 70) did not outperform treatment-asusual (TAU; n = 68) in any of the outcomes, although a small negative effect was found for aggression (F (1,135) = 5.552, p = 0.020), which appeared driven by the group of participants who had a weaker bond with the dog. This group had higher aggression levels after the program, compared with TAU (F (1, 98) = 9.443, p = 0.003). The dog bond was not associated with any other outcomes post-intervention. In addition, age moderated program effectiveness on infractions (Wald χ 2(1) = 6.254, p = 0.012), suggesting differential effects for younger (< 36 years) participants. No evidence was found for the other moderators and predictor of implementation quality. In conclusion, DCD did not outperform TAU in anti-social behavioral and wellbeing outcomes. Some evidence for predictors and moderators were found. The present study is only one of the first to examine what matters for whom in a DTP for incarcerated adults. More research, preferably in the form of randomized controlled trials with sufficiently large sample sizes, is needed.

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Comprehensive Evaluation of Dog Training and Rehabilitation Initiatives in Correctional Facilities

Cited by 2 publications

References 40 publications

Participation in a Prison-Based Training Programme Is Beneficial for Rescue Dogs

Participation in a Prison-Based Training Programme Is Beneficial for Rescue Dogs

Who Lets the Dog In? Differential Effects of a Dog-Training Program for Incarcerated Adults

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