Richland Correctional Institution (RiCI) not only works to rehabilitate and integrate inmates back into society, but to educate them and assure they leave the facility with employable skills. One popular program to accomplish this goal is the Animal Training Apprenticeship program. Offenders train abandoned and rescued dogs which, in turn, allows those dogs to integrate with an adopted family.
Adrienne Husty, Animal Training Apprenticeship Supervisor said that dogs are brought in from the Ashland County Dog Warden’s Office for an eight week program for training. Training includes socialization, housebreaking, leash training, and basic commands.
“These dogs are throwbacks, unfortunately,” said Joe Curiale, RiCI inmate and Animal Training Apprenticeship participant. “People have gotten rid of them for some reason, so they are coming here so we can try to find that issue and resolve it in some way. If we don’t, they are bound to be euthanized, unfortunately.”
Husty noted that the dogs are kept alone with the trained handlers for the first 48 hours for temperament testing and acclimation.
The dogs are with their trainer 24 hours a day, though dogs are sometimes “switched out” among trainers to allow them to become fully socialized. Additionally, dogs are taken among the general inmate population, which has a therapeutic effect on both dogs and inmates.
RiCI adopted two of the dogs for use as therapy dogs in their recovery unit. Jennifer Gillece, RiCI Correctional Wardens Assistant said, “The animals allow an opportunity for [offenders] to learn to build relationship skills by working with the animal that maybe would be more challenging with another person; therefore, they start the process of learning. The dogs allow them to cope through the recovery process.”
Husty said the Animal Training Apprenticeship Program is not funded in any way, other than donations and fundraisers held by the inmates.
“They have to find a way to fund this program,” said Husty. “These gentlemen do this themselves.”
“Another thing I am so proud of the gentlemen in this program for is, for the past three years now, they have earned the money, bought a dog, trained it for five months or longer, and we have donated it to MedCentral Mansfield for the Hospice Charity Ball. The dog is auctioned off for profit to give to people that are dying of cancer or need help. Our dog has raised, in the past three years, over $5,000.”
Husty said the inmates also donate to breast cancer research, MedCentral Hospice, and the humane societies.
“I’m very proud of these gentlemen. They find a way not only to buy their supplies but to make sure they are giving back to the community with charitable donations,” said Husty.
Gillece said, “We try to encourage those types of activities as part of the restorative justice process. They do a very good job of that.”
Gillece noted that Husty volunteers for her position with the dog program. “It’s not a part of her job requirement. It’s something she’s taken on as an additional responsibility. To have staff like that, that care and want to carry that on, we are fortunate to have that.”
Feedback for the program has been enthusiastically positive, noted Husty. Letters and calls come in regularly from people that adopted the program’s dogs.
Curiale said, “It makes me feel good when something I did affects someone else in a positive manner.”
“That’s the whole point of what we are trying to do with reintegration,” commented Gillece. “That’s the whole point of restorative justice, for them to have those opportunities because if you do things that are supporting and taking care of that community that in a sense has been damaged by the actions leading them to the incarceration, it makes a difference when they go back out. We always try to do things to bridge the gap between incarceration and going back into the community.”
Ernest Mack Jr., Principal of the RiCI and Mansfield Correctional Institution (ManCI) educational program said of the program, “It teaches [offenders] a lot of responsibility that some of them didn’t have before they came in; it’s not always about them. So now they are able to take care of something or someone else.”
Mack oversees the GED, career tech and apprenticeship programs, as well as the college programs offered at RiCI and ManCI.
Mack explained that inmates are assessed on arrival at the facility. If they do not possess a GED or diploma, they are enrolled in a program to receive one. This can be done concurrently with the apprenticeship program.
Inmates applying for the Animal Training Apprenticeship program must undergo an intensive screening process. “This is a privilege, to be able to be part of this program,” noted Husty. “They leave with a certificate. Not only has this program benefited them in here, but when they get out they are state certified to own their own training or grooming facility.”
“That certification is gold,” said Curiale. “It’s an uphill battle when you leave prison and try to find employment. I’m leaving here with something. I didn’t just come here and do my time.”
Certificates are issued through the Ohio Department of Labor.
The Animal Training Apprenticeship program is a 4,000 hour program, undertaken over a two year period. Competencies for the apprenticeship program include training, grooming, general knowledge of dogs, first aid, CPR, and how to handle an aggressive animal.
Jennifer Gillece, RiCI Correctional Wardens Assistant said, “They are mandated under the education requirement to have all those hours to obtain the certification. This also provides them with an employable skill. We’ve actually had some that go out and continue this line of work because you don’t see a lot of collateral sanctions within that area, so offenders are able to easily transition into that.”
“The recidivism rate is 28 percent right now in Ohio, which is probably the lowest in any other state in the country,” said Mack. “Whenever they are involved or enrolled in any educational program, that 28 percent goes down to 14 percent, so it works.”
Mack noted, “Apprenticeship is growing. It’s a challenge. I look forward to it. I always go back on the premise that these guys are going to get out in two years, and whenever we can provide something for them of substance, I’m all for it.”
Husty said the facility is constantly gathering new and updated information for the program. Animal trainers and groomers who would like to volunteer their expertise in this endeavor may contact Jennifer Gillece at 419-526-2100, extension 2003.
Photos of dogs available for adoption may be seen at the Ashland County Dog Shelter’s Petfinder page and at their FaceBook page.
Donations of dog food and supplies are welcome and may be dropped off at the RiCI front office at 1001 Olivesburg Road or at Richland Source at 21 East Temple Court.
“Another thing I am so proud of the gentlemen in this program for is, for the past three years now, they have earned the money, bought a dog, trained it for five months or longer, and we have donated it to MedCentral Mansfield for the Hospice Charity Ball,” said Adrienne Husty.
