Cell Dogs

[dragonrider]

We always seem to go back and forth in this country about whether prison is just a way to punish criminals or a way to rehabilitate them and have them reenter society. Right now, I'd say the system is stacked pretty much in favor of punishment, and we've given up on helping prisoners be a pert of siciety when they get out. Prison now is mostly a school for criminals --- they go in, learn to hate society, make connections with other criminals, and learn how to be even worse criminals. If this dog program could help prisoners learn some kind of respect for other living things, and some kind of self discipline, and connect with some kind of humanity within themselves, then it's probably a good thing. But of course, people who view prison primarily as punishment will say that we didn't send these people to prison so that they can play with puppies --- it's punishment! It's a hard call. Prison should be punishment, but not to the point where we make our own problems worse when they get out. Making prisoners into worse criminals for the sake of punihing them is a case of cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Whatever you think of this dog idea, the following idea is just plain crazy:

... but i think instead of having a system where the dogs are in the prisons, the prisoners should go to local pounds and the such and goof off with the pound dogs ....

It's too much of a security risk. A prisoner might actually end up being adopted by an unsuspecting family! "Oh, mommy, can we get the big frisky hairless with the tatoos! He likes to play!"

[Purple Banana]

It's too much of a security risk. A prisoner might actually end up being adopted by an unsuspecting family! "Oh, mommy, can we get the big frisky hairless with the tatoos! He likes to play!"

HAHAHAH!

I can has it?

[Weedhound]

i've read up on these programs and from what I understand they are extremely carefully run and the participants VERY carefully chosen with a whole bunch of criteria needed for them to be accepted as an animal caregiver. They are also overseen EXTREMELY well and so far seem to be work for what they are intended for although I can't speak for a real change once the inmate actually left prison.

[dragonrider]

HAHAHAH!

I can has it?

I promise to feed him, and pet him, and love him, and squeeze him, and wash him, and brush him EVERY DAY! Can we keeep him? Can we?

[Purple Banana]

Yes you can What're you gonna name him?

[dragonrider]

Yes you can What're you gonna name him?

I'm gonna name him Stripes because of his outfit! I'm gonna get him fixed so maybe he'll stop humping my leg...

[Purple Banana]

LOL! You know you love it when they hump your leg

[SFGurrilla]

i saw this shit on on animal planet, it's good to know that hard cold killers can still love a puppy....

Don't they bring puppy's to sick children in the hospital too in hopes of them getting better?

Maybe its the same mentality, but instilled slightly different.

[rebgirl420]

Don't they bring puppy's to sick children in the hospital too?

Yeah, sick children and convicted felons have soooo much in common

[SFGurrilla]

Yeah, sick children and convicted felons have soooo much in common

Those felons look like something from a gay porn DVD cover. That picture was a tad disturbing.