Measuring the Psychological Impacts of Prison-Based Dog Training Programs and In-Prison Outcomes for Inmates

As interest grows in programs that improve prison inmates’ behavior and psychosocial well-being, any such interventions must be rigorously examined and their underlying mechanisms for change must be understood. This pilot study examined the use of prison-based dog training programs across Washington...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Flynn, Erin (Author)
Contributors: Combs, Katie Massey ; Gandenberger, Jaci ; Morris, Kevin N. ; Tedeschi, Philip
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: [2020]
In: The prison journal
Year: 2020, Volume: 100, Issue: 2, Pages: 224-239
Online Access: Presumably Free Access
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Keywords:
infraction rates
Prison
prison dog programs
prison-based animal programs
Description
Summary:As interest grows in programs that improve prison inmates’ behavior and psychosocial well-being, any such interventions must be rigorously examined and their underlying mechanisms for change must be understood. This pilot study examined the use of prison-based dog training programs across Washington State Department of Corrections facilities for their impacts on inmates’ infraction rates. The study also compared levels of empathy, self-efficacy, and anxiety between program participants and nonparticipants. Findings indicated that prison dog program participants’ infraction rates improved and that participants had lower levels of anxiety than nonparticipants.
ISSN:1552-7522
DOI:10.1177/0032885519894657