Introduction: Building a Rationale for Prison Dog Programs

Jalongo, Mary Renck

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-25618-0_1

Cited by 4 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…To our knowledge, EL has not been well explored as it relates to canine-assisted learning and substance use programming in prisons. One of the most unique aspects of canine-assisted learning programs is that they offer a nontraditional approach in which prisoners are active participants (Jalongo, 2019). Also foundational to canine-assisted programming is the benefit of the human-canine bond.…”

Section: ▪ Experiential Learning Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although there is a growing body of research on canineassisted interventions, to our knowledge, canine-assisted interventions in prisons and jails have not been well explored in relation to experiential learning (EL) theory. Yet, canineassisted interventions align with EL in many ways; in particular, activities are hands-on, and information is not received passively (Jalongo, 2019). To contribute to knowledge in this area, our commentary discusses a canine-assisted learning and wellness program guided by EL theory in Western Canada.…”

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confidence: 99%

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An Experiential Approach to Canine-Assisted Learning in Corrections for Prisoners Who Use Substances

Kosteniuk

Dell

Cruz

et al. 2023

Journal of Forensic Nursing

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Canine-assisted interventions are a promising approach to help address substance use and mental health issues in prisons. However, canine-assisted interventions in prisons have not been well explored in relation to experiential learning (EL) theory, despite canine-assisted interventions and EL aligning in many ways. In this article, we discuss a canine-assisted learning and wellness program guided by EL for prisoners with substance use issues in Western Canada. Letters written by participants to the dogs at the conclusion of the program suggest that such programming can help shift relational dynamics and the prison learning environment, benefit prisoners' thinking patterns and perspectives, and help prisoners generalize and apply key learnings to recovery from addiction and mental health challenges. Implications are discussed in relation to clinicians' practices, prisoners' health and wellness, and prison programming.

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Section: ▪ Experiential Learning Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

An Experiential Approach to Canine-Assisted Learning in Corrections for Prisoners Who Use Substances

Kosteniuk

Dell

Cruz

et al. 2023

Journal of Forensic Nursing

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“…In the USA, many correctional institutions have introduced dog-based programmes that involve people in prison in dog care and training, sometimes as service dogs (Jalongo, 2019; Charry-Sánchez et al , 2018). Over 50 US states have PDPs and such programmes have been developed in other countries including the UK (Mercer, 2015; Mercer et al , 2022), Australia (Humby and Barclay, 2018; Mulcahy and McLaughlin, 2013), Argentina (Romero et al , 2018) and Japan (Koda et al , 2015).…”

Section: Findings From the Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Paws for thought? Developing dog projects for older people in prison

Codd

2023

QAOA

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Purpose This study aims to assess the nature and scope of dog-based programmes in prisons, assessing critically the potential opportunities, benefits, challenges and risks of developing innovative dog-based programmes for older prisoners in England and Wales. This paper outlines the potential benefits and challenges of developing dog-based programmes for older prisoners and sets out next steps for future research and practice. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on a scoping review of published research literature on prison dog programmes (PDPs) in the USA, the UK and other countries, with particular reference to older people in prison, followed by semi-structured interviews with six members of an expert advisory group. The literature review and data from the qualitative interviews were analysed thematically. Findings There is a substantial body of published research literature which supports PDPs as having identifiable positive impacts for people and also dogs, and also published research which highlights the benefits to older people of dog ownership or participation in dog-based activities. However, much of this research is small-scale and qualitative, and it has been argued that there is a lack of a quantitative evidence base. This research concludes that findings from the literature review and the semi-structured interviews support further research and the creation of pilot projects to develop dog-based projects for older people in prison. Research limitations/implications This study was small-scale, and the findings need to be approached with caution. The literature review searched a small number of databases and filtered out articles published in languages other than English, and the review of the grey literature focused on reports from the UK. The number of experts interviewed was small and there was no direct consultation with older people in prison nor with older people with recent personal lived experience of imprisonment and community resettlement. A more extensive future study would benefit from a more extensive literature review, a larger group of participants and the inclusion of service users, prison managers and government policymakers, subject to the appropriate ethical and security approvals. At the time the research took place, ongoing COVID-19 restrictions on prison research meant that research with current prisoners and prison managers would not have been approved by the HMPPS NRC. Practical implications This research provides a research-based justification for future dog projects for older prisoners, leading potentially to improved well-being for older people in prison. Originality/value This study brings together the published research literature on PDPs with the research literature on the needs and experiences of older people in prison for the first time, and identifies potential directions for future research.

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“…Program evaluation research has demonstrated that CAIs implemented in correctional facilities can have a positive effect on both the institutional atmosphere and participant behavior ( 8 , 26 – 30 ). Such interventions can lead to a calmer prison environment, alleviate tensions, and decrease levels of aggression and infraction rates ( 31 – 34 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many correctional institutions operate within a culture of violence, trauma, mistrust, and survival, which can have harmful psychological effects on individuals in these environments ( 46 , 48 ). This culture and its associated norms can lead to an internalization process called “prisonization” ( 8 , 27 , 46 , 49 , 50 ). Studies have found that prisonization can contribute to an increase in feelings of stress, anxiety, hypervigilance, distrust, emotional restraint, emotional withdrawal, diminished self-worth, and an overall decline in perceived mental health status ( 46 , 48 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unleashing compassionate care: canine-assisted intervention as a promising harm reduction approach to prisonization in Canada and its relevance to forensic psychiatry

et al. 2023

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In recent years, there has been a global advancement in the offering of canine-assisted interventions (CAI) in prisons. However, these programs have focused primarily on the benefits to the dogs involved and not on the impact on the participants. The authors of this perspective study have been running a CAI program with therapy dogs, called PAWSitive Support, in a Canadian federal prison since 2016. Thoughts from the program facilitators and interviews with prison staff indicate that the program, and specifically the therapy dogs, provides a unique and integrated source of comfort, support, and love for participants. These benefits are consistent with those seen in CAI programs outside of prisons. Unique to the prison setting appears to be an improvement in participant–staff relations. The therapy dogs have helped participants to experience comfort and consequently express their emotions. This seems to contribute to their recognition of support within the prison system and specifically developing trust with staff. Additionally, the dogs have helped to create an experience of the feeling of love within the prison, interpreted as the feeling of being cared for, which is rare for this population. The authors suggest that the integration of a therapy dog intervention in prison could be a novel harm reduction strategy to address issues related to prisonization and associated mental health concerns, including substance use. This consideration can offer unique insight into the field of forensic psychiatry about providing compassionate care to patients.

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Introduction: Building a Rationale for Prison Dog Programs

Cited by 4 publications

References 37 publications

An Experiential Approach to Canine-Assisted Learning in Corrections for Prisoners Who Use Substances

An Experiential Approach to Canine-Assisted Learning in Corrections for Prisoners Who Use Substances

Paws for thought? Developing dog projects for older people in prison

Unleashing compassionate care: canine-assisted intervention as a promising harm reduction approach to prisonization in Canada and its relevance to forensic psychiatry

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