Fulton County Jail Hopes New “Jail Dogs” Program Will Help Both Inmates and Dogs
Elly Yu / for WABE
Fulton County Jail is rolling out a new jail dogs program this week. The program, called Canine Cellmates, pairs four-legged friends who were set to be euthanized at Fulton County Animal Services to be cared for and trained by inmates.
The program aims not only to save dogs, but to help inmates and reduce re-offense rates.
“We try to look for programs that would help the inmates here while they’re here so when they leave, they’ll have a better view on life and very possibly not return,” said Lieutenant Colonel Reginald Turner, assistant chief jailer at Fulton County.
The hope is the dogs won’t return to the shelter either. After an 8-week training session, the dogs are then eligible for adoption. Meanwhile, the inmates receive dog training certificates.
The program is the first of its kind in Fulton County and the third in Georgia. Gwinnett and Chatham counties have adopted similar jail dogs initiatives in recent years. There are about 25 programs across the country.
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