Jacqueline vanWormer
Assistant Professor Of Sociology, Whitworth University
Key Findings
- The dog handler program was a significant predictor of future infractions.
- Participants in the program were less likely to be associated with serious or violent infractions in the future compared to the control group.
- Compared to the control group, inmates that participated in the dog handler program were also less likely to file grievances in the future.
- Participants in the dog handler program did not show a significant reduction in sanctions imposed compared to the control group.
Description
In the article, “Digging Deeper: Exploring the Value of Prison-Based Dog Handler Programs,” vanWormer and her co-authors examine the impact of state dog handler programs on prisoner behavior. Many correctional systems offer opportunities for inmates to interact with animals, but there is a lack of information about the effectiveness of these programs. To conduct their study, the researchers used data from the Washington State Department of Corrections, which included nearly 500 participants that were part of dog handler programs at their state correctional facilities and compared them to a control group of inmates to determine changes related to the program. Facilities that have inmates with more serious infraction rates are the ones with dog handler programs in place. The results showed that the program was a significant predictor of future infractions. Participants in the program were less likely to be associated with serious or violent infractions in the future compared to the control group. Compared to the control group, inmates that participated in the dog handler program were also less likely to file grievances in the future. Participants in the dog handler program did not show a significant reduction in sanctions imposed compared to the control group. In conclusion, dog handler programs have a positive effect on reducing negative behaviors of inmates. For future studies, the authors recommend examining the psycho-social changes participants in the dog handler program encounter and their recidivism rates.