Operation Second Chance – Jail Dogs

By Beth Volpert-Johansen

Recidivism. The word, in dictionary form, indicates a “redoing” or “repeating” of something. In the context of incarceration, it is something that is actively guarded against by way of working to change behaviors. In the end, behavior is language, and much unacceptable behavior is often a cry for help. Asking for help, in any case, is a good first step. Having a purpose for time spent in jail has been proven to be beneficial to both the resident and the community. And, it has also been proven to reduce the rates of recidivism.

Among several skills-based learning opportunities at the Gwinnett County jail is the Operation Second Chance or Jail Dogs program. Their website states, “The Operation Second Chance program, established in 2010 as a partnership between the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office and the Society of Humane Friends of Georgia (SOHFGA), gives male and female inmates the opportunity to provide foster care and obedience training to the homeless dogs of Gwinnett County.”

This win-win program pairs volunteer animal professionals with residents of the Gwinnett County Detention Center to teach inmates how to train and care for the dogs. “This program gives a deeper meaning to the vocational and social skills that are necessary to combating recidivism in our system,” says Master Deputy S. Hardy, Public Information Officer of he Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office. “The dedication of our residents to the abandoned and neglected dogs that come into the program is something we can’t teach without the kind of trust these animals place in their trainers.”

Rescue dogs come from county shelters, and the program fully vets and trains the dogs before offering them up for adoption to the public. With an average of twenty-three dogs on the unit, resident handlers must apply for admission to the program and agree to learn how to teach basic obedience, tricks, and training. Volunteers meet with the resident handlers to teach the skills needed to fully train a dog so that it is ready to be adopted.

Since its inception in 2010, the SOHFGA has worked to select the dogs, provide all veterinary care and training, and handle the application and screening process for potential adopters. No taxpayer dollars are spent as the SOHFGA provides all financial support for the program. “Our volunteers, SOHFGA, and the resident handlers all value the program for a variety of reasons,” explains Hardy. “The nature of a neglected animal paired with a human handler who might have experienced neglect or abandonment themselves, and witnessing the positive outcome, is a rewarding experience.”

Once a dog arrives on the unit, it is assigned to a primary handler. The dog sleeps in the same room with the primary handler and is also assigned one or two secondary handlers. The reasons are two-fold. First, this method gives more residents access to the dogs and the opportunity to learn handling skills. Secondly, the arrangement provides continuity for the dog should one of the handlers leave the unit. “Volunteer trainers visit with the dogs and our resident handlers, teaching the skills needed to fully train the dogs,” says Hardy. “It is amazing to watch a strong bond develop between the dogs and handlers over their time with us.”

Hardy adds, “This program provides a benefit to both the residents and the community. The animals learn basic obedience, tricks, and agility while they are here preparing for adoption.”

The program also has groomers, veterinarians, vet techs, and other animal welfare volunteers who educate the inmates on different issues surrounding the dogs, their care, and ways to reduce pet overpopulation. “So often when the animals come to the program, they are afraid,” says Hardy. “When they leave the program, they are so much happier.” The same can be said of those who enter the program. “Jail isn’t any place a person really wants to be,” says Hardy. “What we find is that when a resident completes their time in one of our community-based skills programs like the Jail Dogs or our gardening programs, they are less likely to return because they have a skill they can use to maintain a job – and that is key.”

Reducing the rates of recidivism is among the most important features of any of the community skills programs at the Gwinnett County Jail. The Jail Dogs program has been observed and duplicated around the country as a means to combat the rates of resident returns. The jail also offers a gardening program that allows residents to provide fresh produce to local food pantries.

The website states, “Since the program’s founding, over 1500 dogs and cats have been rescued, vetted, trained, and adopted into new families. In addition to saving animals, the program also benefits the inmates, giving them new skills in dog training and handling, as well Continued on page 23

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