For over 30 years, innovative programs throughout the country have paired rescue dogs with prison inmates. Participants who complete these programs have an extremely low rate of recidivism. In 2025, our criminal justice system is under renewed scrutiny to do better. Once again, dogs are our heroes, transforming the lives of incarcerated men and women who previously had no hope for a changed life. It is our hope that Riverside County will implement such a program.
Service dogs are the eyes for those who cannot see, the leaders for people unable to walk, and the healers for those suffering from emotional illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For some service dogs, it all began behind bars….
Before Puppies Behind Bars, an inmate named Tom spent most days watching television in his cell and pumping iron. Tom spent over thirty years in prison on a conviction for second degree murder. Tom explained the difference the dogs made in his life, “In the prison system, you shut down your feelings. You gotta do that to survive because it’s hard. But the dogs brought me back, you know, to the human side.” He had an incredible success rate of 6-0 with all his dogs successfully graduating, a success that gave him status within the prison and hope within himself…