Pet programs are a way to reduce recidivism!  Bring humanity to humans behind prison walls in Solitary Confinement.  Matching cats and dogs  to adults can custody would bring together these souls to rehabilitate each other through animal care program state prisons.

Hundreds upon hundreds of studies have been done in dozens of prisons. Solitary confinement and mental health issues in inmates clearly share a direct correlation. Solitary is, almost without any doubt, the cause of so many mental health problems within prisons. The history of solitary confinement Is associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms. Studies show that one way to alleviate the symptoms of PTSD is frequent interaction with animals

Many prisons are focused on increasing the severity of punishment which has proven to not reduce crime.  However cats, dogs and adults in custody, both bound by prison walls and troubled pasts, mend each other day by day and benefit the public.  

Many cats and dogs were surrendered by abusive households or found on the street and sent to shelters with kill rates as high as 99%. While they would traditionally be housed in a shelter, they could be incorporated in supermax prisons interacting with people more regularly, socializing them and increasing their chances of adoption

Cats and dogs can’t judge men on their wrongdoings. They cannot gauge the gravity of crime, and cannot judge the ink on people’s skin.  By creating animal programs that house them with incarcerated caregivers, who, incidentally, will gain skills such as empathy, responsibility and self-esteem. 

While super-maximum security confinement does not automatically violate protected human rights, the conditions at  are unnecessarily harsh, if prisoners are unnecessarily subjected to them, or if periods of solitary confinement are unduly long. Deprivations that are disproportionate to reasonable correctional goals are inconsistent with the fundamental touchstone of all human rights—respect for the inherent dignity of all human beings. 

Does punishment work to reduce crime? Increasing the severity of punishment does little to deter crime. Laws and policies designed to deter crime by focusing mainly on increasing the severity of punishment are ineffective 

However, animal programs in prisons houses them with incarcerated caregivers, who, incidentally, gain skills such as empathy, responsibility and self-esteem and should be considered for the department of corrections

Beyond that, pet programs have resulted in improved relationships within the facility, between the involved offenders and other incarcerated individuals, and between offenders and the staff and administrators –– which is exactly the intended outcome of programs aimed toward rehabilitation.

Studies on prison pet programs have also shown increased emotional intelligence and coping skills, she said, as well as improved work ethic and employability, which improve the chances of job readiness and are critical factors in successfully re-entering society and reducing recidivism.  Involving adults in custody with animal programs plays a critical role in improving their lives after incarceration.