SPENCE LAUNCHES GROUND-BREAKING PUPS IN PRISON PROGRAM
Published Wednesday, 11 April, 2007 at 02:50 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
Man’s best friend is proving a good ally in the attempt to rehabilitate offenders at a Queensland prison farm.
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence has launched a ‘Pups in Prison’ program at the Darling Downs Correctional Centre as part of a scheme to teach prisoners to care for others.
Ms Spence said the Queensland-first program is a partnership between Assistance Dogs Australia (ADA) and Queensland Corrective Services (QCS).
“Two black Labradors Toomba and Trueman and two Golden Retrievers Topaz and Taylor – arrived at the correctional centre in February at just eight weeks of age,” Ms Spence said.
“They spent their first month settling into their new surrounds with the help of DDCC staff families, which included attendance at local “Puppy Preschool” classes.
“They will be cared for at the centre over the next 16 months by a team of eight carefully selected prisoners, who share the responsibilities of caring, socialising and conducting basic training.
“The program aims to provide prisoners with new levels of responsibility, self-esteem and communication skills, while also teaching compassion, patience and cooperation.”
Ms Spence said that once the program was finished the four dogs would return to ADA’s national training centre for six months of intensive training.
ADA, a non-profit organisation, will then match the graduated assistance dogs with people with physical disabilities to enhance the person’s quality of life and improve their level of independence.
“Two local dog trainers are volunteering their time once a week to attend the centre and conduct obedience classes, helping the carers and the puppies reach their goal of learning 39 commands before the puppies are returned to ADA,” Ms Spence said.
“Two QCS staff are also working in conjunction with the University of Queensland to conduct research about the impact of the DDCC Pups in Prison program on staff and prisoners.”
Ms Spence said anecdotal evidence suggested programs like Pups in Prison helped improve offenders’ psychological wellbeing, attitudes, empathy and social skills.
“The research, which I’m told is an international first, being undertaken by UQ post-grad students Georgia Sakrzewski and Claire Eddie will provide a measured analysis of companion animal programs in a correctional centre setting.”
Media contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218 / 0439 673 287
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence has launched a ‘Pups in Prison’ program at the Darling Downs Correctional Centre as part of a scheme to teach prisoners to care for others.
Ms Spence said the Queensland-first program is a partnership between Assistance Dogs Australia (ADA) and Queensland Corrective Services (QCS).
“Two black Labradors Toomba and Trueman and two Golden Retrievers Topaz and Taylor – arrived at the correctional centre in February at just eight weeks of age,” Ms Spence said.
“They spent their first month settling into their new surrounds with the help of DDCC staff families, which included attendance at local “Puppy Preschool” classes.
“They will be cared for at the centre over the next 16 months by a team of eight carefully selected prisoners, who share the responsibilities of caring, socialising and conducting basic training.
“The program aims to provide prisoners with new levels of responsibility, self-esteem and communication skills, while also teaching compassion, patience and cooperation.”
Ms Spence said that once the program was finished the four dogs would return to ADA’s national training centre for six months of intensive training.
ADA, a non-profit organisation, will then match the graduated assistance dogs with people with physical disabilities to enhance the person’s quality of life and improve their level of independence.
“Two local dog trainers are volunteering their time once a week to attend the centre and conduct obedience classes, helping the carers and the puppies reach their goal of learning 39 commands before the puppies are returned to ADA,” Ms Spence said.
“Two QCS staff are also working in conjunction with the University of Queensland to conduct research about the impact of the DDCC Pups in Prison program on staff and prisoners.”
Ms Spence said anecdotal evidence suggested programs like Pups in Prison helped improve offenders’ psychological wellbeing, attitudes, empathy and social skills.
“The research, which I’m told is an international first, being undertaken by UQ post-grad students Georgia Sakrzewski and Claire Eddie will provide a measured analysis of companion animal programs in a correctional centre setting.”
Media contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218 / 0439 673 287