A partnership between Beechworth Correctional Centre and Wodonga Dog Rescue helps find new homes for abandoned dogs while rehabilitating people in prison.
Dogs are cared for and trained by prisoners for 6 weeks before they are returned to Wodonga Dog Rescue to be rehoused with a suitable home.
The men take responsibility for exercising, socialising and helping the dogs learn basic obedience skills.
They build the kennels and yards, and selected men are tasked with caring for the dogs and taking them for walks.
They also communicate with community stakeholders such as vets, rescue trainers and potential adoptive families.
The people in prison help the dogs learn how to settle into a new environment by getting them familiar with stairs, walking on a lead, noisy household appliances and sitting on a couch.
The program teaches the men valuable new skills that can assist with their ability to find employment once released. It also helps with their rehabilitation and to reduce their risk of reoffending.
More than 150 people in prison have participated since the partnership began in 2016.
Benefits to the community
The program helps to prepare abandoned dogs to go into a new family environment.
Since the program began, more than 150 dogs have been successfully adopted out to new homes.
Who can participate
People in custody with good behaviour and an interest in animal welfare are partnered with the rescue dogs.
The program is a privilege and only selected prisoners are eligible to take part.
Funding
The program is funded by the Department of Justice and Community Safety.
Wodonga Dog Rescue provides all food, accommodation and veterinary care.
Contact
Enquiries about this program can be directed to Beechworth Correctional Centre.
Participant feedback
Van*
Van has been in custody since October 2020 on charges of Culpable Driving.
Van was transferred to Beechworth Correctional Centre in February 2023, where he began as a coach in the Dog Rehabilitation Program.
Van then progressed in the dog rehabilitation program taking on additional duties working full time attending to the dog’s welfare needs.
While working full time in the program, Van has assisted in the maintenance and improvements of the compound including being a part of the development of the agility yard.
Van expresses the positive impacts the programs has had on not only him but also how it gives people in custody in general a way to use their sentence wisely.
*Name changed to prevent identification.
Archer*
Archer has been in custody since June 2023 on charges of Endangering Life.
Archer was transferred to Beechworth Correctional Centre in July 2023 and elected to participate in the K9 program on arrival.
A few weeks later he was next to participate in the program as a coach and has continued participation since.
He has learned about the dogs personalities and behaviours from daily exercise walks, playtime and training.
*Name changed to prevent identification.