Petside.com

malia alley May 22, 2009 6:55 PM

thier cute

malia alley May 22, 2009 6:56 PM

are they cute

John June 1, 2009 6:13 AM

if you ask one more time, I bet someone will answer you

nnd June 3, 2009 7:57 AM

no, no they probably won't

Big Robby June 7, 2009 6:59 AM

Anyone seen OZ? This reminds me of OZ.

Brandon June 8, 2009 7:19 AM

This is horrible. Those inmates are not in prison for a vacation they are being punished. Those poor dogs need to be outside with loving families or playing with other animals, not 'behind bars.' This program makes me sick.

Flipper June 8, 2009 7:27 AM

are they cute

Carlos June 9, 2009 12:47 PM

As we approach summer (in the northern hemi, anyway)I remind everybody to be mindful of how hot the pavement can be, when walking you pet. If you can't walk on it bare foot, neither should your dog. They love you too much to complain.

rebekah June 10, 2009 9:45 PM

they shold not be looket up

AndyL June 11, 2009 8:23 AM

There is no way criminals should have the privilege of animal company. Isn't there the danger of criminals/prisoners/inmates/psychopaths etc abusing the animals? Free the puppies now.

Emmyceru June 11, 2009 1:20 PM

Brandon and Andy, you forget that although these "criminals" are in prison, they are doing a service to society in training these dogs for DISABLED people. It is true they are in prison to be punished, but while there these dogs are teaching them lessons. Maybe you could not love one of these prisoners, but the dog can. A dog loves unconditionally, he doesn't care what you've done in the past. Eventually they will have to give their dog up, as they will become essential for other people in the future.

I ride the train regularly, and have seen a blind woman riding the train from time to time. She has a service dog which helps her out immensely. Before she had her dog there was an incident where she got disoriented on the platform, and fell off and onto the rails and got injured. I bet you can't even imagine what it would be like going through your day not being able to see. People depend on these dogs. And I bet these prisoners are helping people like that a whole lot more than you are by complaining.

Anthony Thorstad June 12, 2009 1:43 PM

Animals have been proven to make even the most hardened prisoners soft. The purpose of prisons are not to punish but to rehabilitate them.

At one prison they had a bunch of stray cats and the prisoners took care of them. They also knew if they were to cause any trouble and get put in solitary no one will take care of the cat. The guards even knew that was the best for them.

I don't think a puppy would work so much though. Sure it can lighten them up and they would like it, but since it's not theirs they won't worry as much.

Your Mom June 13, 2009 10:30 AM

Emmyceru and Anthony Thorstad are correct, and Brandon and Andy ought to be ashamed of themselves for evincing the sort of vengeful barbarism that makes it so difficult to reintegrate people who have made mistakes back into society. The vast majority of people who commit crimes don't do so because they're "degenerate scumbags" or psychopaths, they do it because we as a society have turned our collective backs on them, and left them with few other alternatives. People who become involved in crime are disenfranchised from society far before they get involved in illegal activities - born into poverty-stricken neighborhoods, neglected or abused by disenfranchised parents, ignored or "passed on" by overworked teachers, expelled instead of assisted, unable to afford interventions or mental health care...they drift into drugs, then crime. And when they get caught, we - instead of helping them to turn over a new leaf - take pleasure in seeing them punished further. Allowing prisoners to reintegrate into society by contributing and growing into responsible beings PROTECTS US from future crime, more than all the cops and prisons in the world. And frankly, Brandon, YOU make me sick.

tanz June 22, 2009 10:49 AM

Considering the number of animals euthanized each year, I think this program is great. It saves the lives of these animals, and helps inmates. The animals are helping to rehabilitate the prisoners, which is the THE POINT OF PRISON... I'm quite sure the animals are allowed outside more frequently than the inmates are, considering their needs to relieve their bladders and bowels.... And on a side note, Brandon, you're a douchebag.

Billdozer June 22, 2009 12:08 PM

When you stop and think of all the financial aspects of this it's a great program. For example, why would it make sense to pay some one a decent salary just to train dogs when you could have model inmates do it for free. Not to mention I'm sure that having the privilege to raise these dogs will be more of an incentive for good behavior. I doubt that they will let a murderer or violent inmate train a dog. People are to quick to forget that people do make stupid decisions that land them in prison. Just because they are in prison doesn't make them animals.

W. A. Grasmeder June 22, 2009 12:45 PM

As someone who has been to jail (as a civil disobedient), I think this is a great first step towards an actually rehabilitative jail system. Right now, jail is designed to punish and keep contained these humans. Most of my block-mates were in for nonviolent crimes and their jail time made them more prone to coming back. Jail breaks people. I didn't have a single fruit for the measly 3 nights I spent in jail, I didn't touch a tree, and I got less than 1 hour of "outside time" which was standing in a 20x10 concrete case with a view of the sky (through a fence and barbed wire). If you want these humans to return to society, you need to treat them like humans. The first thing I did when I got out was devoured 2 oranges. Then I ran to the nearest tree and listened to it for a minute or two. Animals, wildlife, and healthy food should be granted to all humans, especially if you want them to continue being complete, helpful creatures.

hungry1968 June 24, 2009 9:47 AM

Someone should report on how the inmates secretly teach some of the dogs to attacks on command, so they can attack rivals or even guards!

Billdozer June 24, 2009 3:56 PM

hungry, you are retarded! Do you really think that these dogs will be around prisoners unattended? Sometimes I think that people behind bars are smarter than the ones who aren't.

Hahahaha June 26, 2009 9:59 AM

Hungry you watch to much Tv i saw that episode of Oz 2.Hahahaha

Ryan July 11, 2009 6:59 AM

This is a great program!!!! This is good rehabilitation for inmates. Beter than the psychological abuse from solitary confinement and abusive guards/inmates...

Whitney July 21, 2009 10:40 AM

Brandon: It's too bad stupidity isn't a crime. Punishable by death.

lynette August 7, 2009 9:40 AM

poor dogs i thougt they get to do waht ever

dog lover August 13, 2009 7:24 AM

while i do agree that this could be a good way to train dogs more economically, i disagree that prisoners should be allowed such an opportunity. dogs are a blessing to us and i believe that someone who has committed an offense that has landed them in prison, should not be allowed that blessing!

GrampEd August 25, 2009 3:54 AM

It is such a shame that....
You Can't Fix Stupid!

And that is what the 'negative comments' are...STUPID!

internCO September 4, 2009 8:45 AM

I had the opportunity to work in a Jail where this program was also going on, and believe me, you have to see the differences in inmates with the puppies to believe what is typically said. The inmates who become the caretakers of the pups are ones with a great track record and ones that will take this job seriously. The inmates that are surrounded by the pups begin to be calmer and more peaceful/understanding. Sure there'll be ones who don't change, but with the puppies involved those people get noticed very easily and are typically transferred into another cell pretty quickly.

And for you people still against it, think about the guards who have to watch these people all day and night! If theres a puppy somewhere in the prison, most guards will take the time that they can to visit said puppy and de-stress a little. It doesn't just help the inmates, but it helps the guards.

Oo yea and most of you most likely have NO idea what it is like in a prison/jail and have only seen it portrayed in tv and movies. Thats complete bull so take a tour or work at a jail/prison for a year and you'll see.

Kymark September 14, 2009 1:15 PM

I've raised puppies to be guide dogs, and I think this program is great. The puppies get huge amounts of attention (face it, the inmates have a lot more time to devote to puppy training than most of us on the outside do), the inmates have an incentive to behave, the inmates learn valuable job skills for when they get out (vet techs?), some of these inmates experience unconditional love for the first time in their lives, and all the inmates learn a valuable lesson in doing something for someone else.

Those of you who think prison is only for punishment and deterrence -- do you really think people will figure "hey, so what if I go to prison -- at least I might get to raise a puppy for a year?"

This program is a great example of making lemonade out of lemons.

Kellyg September 15, 2009 4:30 PM

To all those who disagree with this program: how can you deny anyone the right to be loved? This program rehabilitates inmates. And they ARE NOT hurting these dogs in any way. Our government punishes criminals just like parents punish their children. Would you consider children unworthy of affection from a canine friend?'

Go to their website and watch the video.

Hoppy September 19, 2009 11:19 AM

One thing is certain - the dogs are smarter than most of the people commenting.

Shade September 23, 2009 12:48 PM

To all of you who are leaving negative comments here and going on about how we should "reward the degenerates" I just want to ask you how many of you have never made a mistake? How many of you have never done something stupid? Ill bet almost all of you drank before the time you turned 21, if some of you even are. That can get you a night in prison. Ill bet if it was your mother you wouldnt turn your back on her and tell her she deserved what she got. Try to show a shred of empathy, people!

And to your mother, I agree with your post, aside from one thing, and that is the idea that drugs are the gateway to all crime. I know many drug users who never committed any other criminal activity and certainly no criminal activities that would harm people, likewise I know people who steal left and right and have never touched a substance. Certainly the two can go hand in hand, but that is not necessarily always the case.

Drew September 27, 2009 6:53 AM

It might be the late hour or my state of restlessness, but my eyes were welling up while watching that video. This canine program is one of the most humanizing acts I've ever seen.

pissypants October 5, 2009 9:04 PM

I've seen this story before. Grown men, "hardened" criminals, pariahs...They cry when they feel love and loss. They raise the dogs with complete responsibility...maybe for the first time in their lives, they feel like they really do mean something to "someone"...and then let them go. I think it's a wonderful program

Mike October 18, 2009 11:17 AM

just so you know, i stumbled upon this, i think the 2nd or 3rd site about PBB that ive found on stumbleupon

this is an amazing program, i work with the bomb dogs on a daily basis is nyc, i have my own who is an amazingly adapted part of my family, and they are wonderful...the inmates who train them are amazing and this is not punishment for the dogs at all

Roberto October 18, 2009 12:09 PM

Hell. We live in a society that rewards prisoners after committing a crime. The dogs are innocent, why are they in jail. Sheriff Hagie in a local town painted his jail blue for boys and pink for girls and added little crying teddy bears on the walls. No smoke, television, radio. Nothing. Damn sure didn't have no pets. Jail is Jail. You commit a crime rockingham county your ass is going to jail and not a country club......