Tasmanian prison inmates have lapped up an ‘adopt a dog’ initiative as the state looks to promote rehabilitation of prisoners.
Attorney-General and Minister for Corrections, Elise Archer said prisoners in the Ron Barwick Prison were given the opportunity to take part in the ‘adopt a dog program’ being run in partnership with the Dogs’ Home of Tasmania.
“Eight year old dog ‘Ceasar’ was a regular visitor to the prison as part of the Tasmania Prison Service’s agreement with the Dogs’ Home of Tasmania that allows prisoners the opportunity to train and socialise dogs being prepared for adoption, as part of their rehabilitation,” Ms Archer said.
“Ceasar struggled to find a member of the public who wanted to adopt him, but was always happy to be at the prison,” she said.
“A group of more than 100 prisoners decided that they wanted to take responsibility for Ceasar, and they raised $1,100 overnight to cover his adoption fees, vet bills and food.”
This effort complemented a $1,000 donation made by prisoners to the Dogs’ Home of Tasmania earlier this year.
The Dogs’ Home of Tasmania currently runs a formal foster care program in the prison called ‘Pups on Parole’, and suitable prisoners also spend time working at the Dogs’ Home as part of the TPS’s rehabilitation program.
