There is no doubt that animals are the most loyal and lovable friends, they make us feel relax and happy.
There is no better way to spend your time with these creatures.
In 2015 in the state of Indiana, Animal Protection League started an amazing program in Pendleton Correctional Facility called F.O.R.W.A.R.D. The facility has brought about a dozen shelter cats to live inside the prison’s refurbished office, where inmates take turns caring for the felines, WISH-TV reports.
The idea behind this program is to take cats from a shelter and place them in the correctional facility so inmates could take care of them. The program became beneficial for both cats and inmates.
Many cats who live at the shelter, have a history of abuse and mistreatment, these felines have issues in interacting with people, lack trust in people and have a lower chance of being adopted. What they need is patient and loving care before they can find a forever home and this program provides it to them.
Prisoners take care of them by feeding them, cleaning them and groom them, the animals become more social and trusting towards humans.
“I’ve had offenders tell me when they got an animal, it was the first time they can remember they were allowing themselves to care about something, to love something,” said the director of APL, Maleah Stringer.
“It teaches them responsibility, how to interact in a group using non-violent methods to solve problems and gives them the unconditional love of a pet, something many of these inmates have never known,” the APL writes on their website.
“The MCKC Program has reduced offender idleness, taught offenders about responsibility and increased their self-esteem.point 217 |
Since the program’s inception, offenders have been motivated to enroll in school, obtain jobs, obey unit rules and improve their hygiene so that they may become MCKC participants.point 154 | The presence of animals on E Unit has added a new calmness to E Unit’s therapeutic milieu and strengthened its community spirit,” Purrfect Pals writes on their website.point 299 |
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