Corrections_Today_Winter_2024-2025_Vol.86_No.4

PROGRAMMING

In addition to individual influence, the program also impacted relationships between participants, by help ing to forge better relationships with the other handlers. 68% of the participants (n=30) felt their relationships with the other handlers improved because they were talking more, bonding, and being more helpful to one another: It improved. It helped form more communication between us. We have something to talk about. Before this, I didn’t really converse with them. Slightly less than half (40.9%; n=18) also believed it helped their relationships with staff, especially since staff often came to visit with the puppies: It improved. It helped. Some of the COs are talk ing to us more and we didn’t talk to them before. With improved mood and better relationships re ported, it is no surprise institutional conduct improved while handlers were participating in the program. Prior to program participation, 11 participants (25%) received disciplinary infractions and five filed formal grievances (11%). After four weeks of participation, only two par ticipants received disciplinary infractions (5%) and no formal grievances were filed. In terms of benefits after release, 84% (n=37) believed the information they learned in the program would help them when they went home, especially in terms of taking care of a dog and training him/her. Participants learned the importance of incorporating positive reinforcement in their training sessions: Yes, [it will help me] informationally with at least verbal communication toward the dogs, like telling the dogs things with positive language … Not yelling at them or saying things that are not nice. Misconceptions they held about dog training were refuted: This gave me suggestions on how to properly deal with dogs. Back in the day if they pooped inside, you would put their nose in it. It’s different now. Once the fostering process was completed and the puppies were taken to the shelter for adoption, there was concern that handlers might be sad or upset. While some admitted they were sad and would miss the puppies,

everyone was happy when the puppies found their forever homes. They appreciated the ability to see family photos, or videos, thanking them for their service. As one handler stated: It showed that we did a good job. They saw the dogs and were comfortable with their behavior, so we did a good job and we know they are going to a good home. When adoptions were successful, handlers were given a sense of purpose and could be proud of a job well-done: I was proud of myself. I liked the experience of being responsible and being around animals made it less stressful. Participants were charged with taking care of a group more vulnerable than themselves and commonalities in the lives of the dogs and their own lives were acknowledged; handlers knew dogs may have been previously homeless, traumatized, abused, and neglected, much like them. Discussion Data show that Puppies on the Block has the ability to beget many positive outcomes for canine caretakers within a very short period of time (four weeks) for both male and female populations incarcerated in a jail set ting. First, participants noted that the program itself was therapeutic and improved their overall mood. This was reflected in their DASS 21 scores for depression, anxi ety and stress, which showed a statistically significant reduction after program participation, and demonstrated

Corrections Today | Winter 2024-2025

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