LANCASTER, Ohio -- Ohio’s prisons are crowded, housing many offenders who are doing time for many differing crimes.
One Central Ohio facility is changing inmates’ lives, and a special program could result in fewer repeat offenders.
NBC 4’s Mikaela Hunt got to the heart of the Pups Program Wednesday.
Michael Tuttle and Westley Rhone walk side by side, flanked by RC and Lucy.
Tuttle and Rhone are inmates and certified dog trainers at the Southeastern Correctional Institution in Fairfield County.
Tuttle started training RC last Christmas.
“Holidays are real slow times for inmates. So, when you have something to brighten your holiday, it's great,” Tuttle said.
Behind barbed wire, the process starts over and over again as the prison gets new dogs, such as RC and Lucy, from area humane societies.
“I just started with Lucy two weeks ago. She came from another dorm. And she's real shy,” Rhone said.
The trainers have committed crimes. Most are in for robbery or drug charges.
The inmates are able to house-train dogs and teach the pooches the basics.
Later, the pups are adopted out to good homes.
“The ultimate benefit is we're not putting animals down,” Warden Mark Saunders said.
The correctional facility houses 1,600 offenders, but only the carefully selected are allowed to go through the Pups Program.
“Guys that were, maybe, previously problem people within the confines of the fence. In order to have a dog, you have to obey the rules,” Saunders said.
Eligible inmates go through a 10-week training program.
And although they’re miles away from other people, they’re not far from man’s best friend.
Dogs generally stay in the program for three to four months.
Ohio State veterinarian teams come in once per month to provide care.
Interested in adoption? Call 740-653-4324 ext. 2757.
For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
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