We are excited to be embarking on a great new venture working with 2nd Chance at Life, a Greyhound Prison Program. 2nd Chance at Life places greyhounds into a correctional facility where inmate caretakers are responsible for the care and training of their assigned greyhound for the duration of the 8 week program. So far we have received 4 dogs from this program. Three have been adopted and one is currently in a foster home waiting to find his new forever home.
Recently Gay and Cassie had the pleasure of traveling to the Gadsden County Correctional Facility in Quincy, Florida to meet Beverly Sebastian and her husband Ferdinand. Beverly is the founder of the 2nd Chance at Life Prison Program. During this trip we got a tour of the prison and met all the inmates and Greyhounds who were in the training program. We spent two hours with them and had the chance to talk with each of them and hear firsthand how being a part of this program was benefiting them and helping them change their lives for the better. During the tour of the prison we saw the dorms where the inmates and Greyhounds live alongside inmates not involved in this program. We also had the opportunity to eat lunch with the inmates and the dogs.
The Gadsden County Correctional Facility is a women's prison and is one of several facilities where Beverly has established a Greyhound training program. In this particular facility there are 22 Greyhounds in the program. Each Greyhound is cared for 24/7 by two inmates. One is the primary trainer and the other is a secondary trainer who is essentially an apprentice working their way up to primary trainer.
The dogs typically go everywhere with the inmate, to class, to meals, etc. These trainers are responsible for the daily care of their Greyhound which includes feeding, walking, teeth brushing, etc. They are also responsible for the training which includes basic commands of sit, stay, come, heel, and more. Each dog receives more than 1,000 hours of training, is in the program for 8 weeks and at the end of this program will have earned their Canine Good Citizen Certificate.
The inmates keep a weekly diary which chronicles the training and social progress of their Greyhound. They keep notes about how the dog is doing and also add their own narrative. Many times they talk about how much being a part of this program and caring for the Greyhound has changed their lives. Not only does this program benefit the Greyhounds but it is also a life changing opportunity for the inmates. Caring for the dog teaches them responsibility when they may have not been responsible before. It also gives them the chance to bond with the dog who shares unconditional love.
Beyond the obvious bonding of inmate and dog, the inmate also practices reading and writing skills by having to keep the weekly diary. The inmates also write a closing letter to the new adoptive family and this letter along with the weekly diaries are given to the new adopters. These diaries are very special and really give you an insight into the inmate and the dog they cared for during the 8 weeks.
After 8 weeks the dogs graduate and move on to adoptive homes and a new group of dogs come in to the program. The inmates are sad to see their dogs go but know they are going to loving homes. And they are happy to have a new dog to train and love for another 8 weeks.
According to statistics that Beverly has been collecting, the recidivism rate for inmates involved in this program is extremely low. Really an amazing accomplishment and a testimony to the value of this program for both inmates and Greyhounds.
We are looking forward to our partnership with them and receiving more greyhounds from the program. If you are interested in finding out more about one of these greyhounds let us know. **Due to the special training and additional transportation costs, the adoption fee for these dogs is $350.00**
Below are some photos taken during the visit with the inmates and pics and bios of a few Greyhounds who will be graduating soon. The bios were written by the inmate/trainer caring for that dog.
