Correctional Facility Program

 

In 1999, Ray Roberts was the warden of the Ellsworth Correctional Facility. Warden Roberts was contacted and given a presentation about starting a puppy training program at the Ellsworth Correctional Facility. Mr. Robert Speer and Mr. Johnny Goddard supported the program which began in June, 1999. ECF has had a puppy training program for CARES continually since that summer. Currently, Mr. Rick Perkins is the ECF staff person in charge of the puppy training program.

​

Since the original puppy program began at ECF, CARES has had several other correctional facility puppy training programs. At this time, CARES has a partnership with 5 more facilities including four federal facilities; Leavenworth, Florence, Terre Haute and Springfield. The most recent addition is Ft. Leavenworth JRCF which is a military correctional facility.

 

In order for an inmate to become a puppy trainer, they must maintain a non-disciplinary action time period as designated by each facility. An inmate will then complete an application, go through an interview process followed by a handler training class. Once selected to become an inmate puppy handler, they are assigned a puppy suited to that particular handler. They are required to regularly train, groom and keep health care records of their puppy. At the end of each month the handler completes a monthly report which is sent to CARES for review.

​

On a regular basis, CARES staff members visit the correctional facilities to deliver food and supplies as well as provide training and support to the inmate handlers.

​

From the beginning, inmate handlers have worked with over 1500 puppies. CARES currently has almost 100 handlers and secondary handlers in the correctional facility programs. These programs are a win/win for CARES and the facilities. As this mission has as many benefits to the inmate handlers as it does for CARES.

 

Thank you to all our puppy program directors:

Leavenworth  –  William Adams

Florence  –  Alyssa Marquette, Adam Haight

Springfield  –  Matt Parrish, Zachary Copeland

Terre Haute  –  Josh Gard

Ft. Leavenworth  –  Sgt. Bowman, Sgt. Baca