2016 equine & canine fact sheet [2016], 2016 equine and canine fact sheet Equine & canine fact sheet

GEORGIA
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
INMATE SERVICES DIVISION

2016 EQUINE & CANINE FACT SHEET



Homer Bryson

Greg Dozier

Dr. L.C. "Buster" Evans

Commissioner

Chief of Staff

Assistant Commissioner

Equine and Canine Training are vocational programs provided to the state's offender population. The equine program is provided to female offenders at Pulaski and Lee Arrendale State Prisons. There are three canine training and rescue programs, provided to both female and male offenders at Colwell Probation Detention Center, Burruss Correctional Training Center, and Lee Arrendale State Prison. Offenders receive certifcates through partnerships with the Technical College System.

Equine Rescue Program HISTORY
Began in 2008 GDC learned of the Department of Agriculture's (DOA)
need for space for neglected and abused horses, specifically in the southern part of Georgia Former Pulaski State Prison Warden, Tom Chapman, contacted DOA to offer space for these neglected and abused horses
OVERVIEW Partnership with DOA DOA confiscates neglected and abused horses and transports them to a GDC facility for care and treatment Horses are nursed back to health by offenders and sold at auction Healthy horses are trained and cared for by offenders All medical, feed and necessary equipment provided by DOA Local DOA staff provide on-site evaluation of impounded animals and provide care and handling instruction to the offenders Can accommodate up to 10 horses

Receive Veterinary Assistant/Animal Healthcare credit certificate form Central Georgia Technical College
FACILITIES Lee Arrendale State Prison, Alto, Georgia
7 stalls in a pole barn Enclosed hay barn Tack room 50 foot round pen 3, 5 acre pastures 3 corrals 1 paddock 1/2 mile riding trail
Pulaski State Prison, Hawkinsville, Georgia 3 run-in shelters 4 pens 50 foot round pen 2 stalls 1 mile (approx.) riding trail 1 barn Sea container to keep hay and tack supplies
Rescued Program HISTORY
Began in June 2012 69% success rate

OVERVIEW First GDC dog rescue program 10-week program Rescues and rehabilitates dogs from the Humane Society Mountain Shelter and Castoff Pet Rescue, which may other otherwise be euthanized while providing a positive impact on the offenders within the facility. Saving detainees and dogs...one life at a time.

PARTICIPANTS Must be high school graduates or hold a GED, read at a 12th grade level, complete the SAGE Occupational Assessment and match the skill sets identified to successfully complete the courses.
Offenders must be within 18-36 months of their tentative parole month (TPM) or max out
Crime type is reviewed and may preclude participation in the program

PARTICIPANTS Selection process includes Detainee essay Background check Assessed institutional history Interview 12 detainees are selected for the program and are provided with training from Cold Nose College (Murphy, NC), Central Georgia Technical College, and North Georgia

The Georgia Department of Corrections creates a safer Georgia by effectively managing offenders and providing opportunities for positive change.

Technical College. Detainees receive certification in the following areas: Pet First Aid and CPR On-the-Job Training for Grooming Georgia Best
LOCATION Colwell Probation Detention Center, Blairsville, Ga.
Opened in June 2012 with 6 detainees and 4 dogs Expanded in August 2013 with 12 detainees and 6-7 dogs Designated dorms for program Dogs and detainees are housed together 24/7 Grooming area located within dorm Vetting, food, and supplies are provided by the Humane
Society Mountain Shelter and Castoff Pet Rescue
VISION Guide Dog Program HISTORY
Began at Metro State Prison (SP) in August 2002 as a collaboration with Southeastern Guide Dog, Inc in Florida and Middle Georgia Technical College
Moved to Metro Transitional Center in 2011, when Metro SP closed
Second program was started at Burruss Correctional Training Center in 2008
OVERVIEW Partnership with the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc. in New York Dogs to include Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Shepherds, Collies and Standard Poodles, are brought into a facility and trained for 12-16 months Dogs are returned to Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind to complete their final orientation and mobility training for 4-6 months Upon completion of training, the dog is matched with a visually impaired student Student and dog participate in a week of additional training at the Guide Dog School prior to returning to their home
PARTICIPANTS Must be high school graduates or hold a GED, read at the 12th grade level, complete SAGE Occupational Assessment and match the skill sets identified to successfully complete the courses Offenders must be within 18-36 months of their tentative parole month (TPM) or max out Crime type is also reviewed and may preclude participation in the program Offenders can earn two, 15-credit hour certificates and two On-the-Job Training (OJT) certificates through Central Georgia Technical College in: Animal Healthcare Assistant Computer Technology and Customer Service Animal Caretaker OJT Dog Groomer OJT

Positive Disciplinary Record (DR) record: no assaultive DRs or participation in major institutional disruption within the last 12 months
FACILITIES Burruss Correctional Training Center
10 to 12 dogs per handler Dogs are housed and sleep in a kennel/classroom with an
offender aide on duty At times, dogs sleep in dorms with their handler Handlers groom dogs daily, train, and provide structured
playtime for dogs Class time for handlers always include their assigned dog Volunteer puppy raiser take puppies on the weekends to
provide socialization opportunities
Forever Friends K-9 Rescue Dog Program HISTORY
Began June 2013 First graduation took
place on November 4, 2013, with 100% adoption rate
OVERVIEW Mission: to save dogs from being euthanized at the Habersham County Animal Care and Control Shelter, while providing offenders with the training to teach basic dog obedience and to learn animal care and grooming skills Program consists of 20 student handlers, two aides and up to 15 dogs Both offenders and dogs are rehabilitated, providing valuable support to the local community Dogs are brought into the facility from the Habersham County Animal Shelter and are paired with offenders 12-week training program, in which, dogs live with the offenders and concentrate on obedience, crate training, being house broken, and taught basic commands
PARTICIPANTS Disciplinary Report free for a minimum of 6 months and have 36 months or less on their sentence Crime type is reviewed and may preclude participation in the program Offenders interviewed by Instructor prior to being admitted into program Offenders take Veterinarian Assistant and Introduction to Computer classes through Central Georgia Technical College Offenders also able to receive On-the-job Training (OJT) credit for grooming classes
FACILITIES Lee Arrendale State Prison
Dogs are housed in assigned handler's room Food and supplies are provided by Habersham Animal
Shelter and through donations.