Shelter cats who otherwise might have been euthanized are getting a new lease on life, while at the same time contributing to the lives of prison inmates.
Cuddly Catz prison foster home program was launched two weeks ago at the minimum security prison at Larch Corrections Center near Yacolt, WA.
Inmates participating in the Cuddly Catz program become foster parents for these kitties and live with them around the clock in their cell. Besides performing all necessary cat duties, the inmate’s patient, gentle interaction with their kitties (whose behavioral problems may have led to their shelter surrender) is helping to achieve a major program goal… rehabilitating the cats & the inmate!
One inmate, 28-year-old Joey Contreras said, “When you’re doing prison time, you get set in certain ways and forget what it’s like to have everyday interactions and be compassionate.” His cellmate, 37-year-old Joseph Walter added, “Prison time can make inmates mean”.
The cat’s unconditional love helps to ignite inmate’s more compassionate and gentler side.
An extensive screening process is required for inmates to participate in the program. Since safety for the animals is the program’s top priority, inmate candidates must not have committed a violent crime against animals or humans, be free of any prison infractions for at least six months and will be remaining in prison for at least a year after receiving a cat.
An outdoor prison enclosure was built to give inmates and cats fresh air and room in which to play.
Below is a video from MSNBC about other cat/inmate programs.
