Prison Puppy Raising Program

The CPL prison puppy raising program (PPRP) benefits both CPL and the institutions' inmates and staff. Started in 2000 at the Maryland Correctional Institute For Women in Jessup, MD, the program quickly spread to four other facilities in Pennsylvania; SCI Cambridge Springs, SCI Muncy, SCI Graterford, and SCI Albion. Currently, 21 puppies are being raised by the inmates within these facilities. SEI Smithfield will begin a CPL prison puppy raising program in the Summer of 2007.

Inmates that are interested in raising a puppy must complete an application and be carefully screened before being accepted into the program by prison staff. Only model inmates are permitted to participate and individuals with crimes against animals and children are not considered. Four or five puppies are placed within each facility. Two inmates are assigned to each pup. These two inmates share a cell where they will raise the pup. The two inmates share the responsibilities for the care and training of their pup and often inmates will "trade pups" to provide each dog with the most varied training experience possible. CPL staff and volunteers visit each prison to provide obedience classes twice a month. During these classes, inmates are instructed how to raise, train, and care for their young charges. The inmates are given disability awareness training which allows them to remain focused on the goals of the program. Service dog recipients often attend these obedience classes at the prison to share their partnership with the inmates.

Inmates are kept up to date on the progress of their dogs during the second year of training and are permitted to watch a video celebrating the graduation. They may write letters to the partners of their pups (screened by CPL and the prison) and may receive letters (also screened) in return.

The prison puppy raising program is a win/win/win situation for everyone. CPL has a dedicated and talented group of volunteers to raise the increasing number of puppies needed for our service, home companion, and residential companion dog programs. The inmates learn valuable life and career skills. The skills needed to successfully raise a puppy are the same skills needed to be a good spouse, employee, parent, and friend. Inmates who are released often continue their volunteer relationship with CPL "on the outside" and enter careers such as dog grooming, training, veterinary technicians, etc. The prison as a whole is a softer environment thanks to the pups. The pups bring smiles to a place that is often hard and cold. Puppies can provide unconditional love and offer no judgment. Inmates experience the feelings of success and fulfillment which come from dedication, hard work, commitment, and love. They learn the lesson of self sacrifice when they return the pups to CPL and the joy which comes from helping someone in need.