Innovative Justice by Hannah Graham Rob White

Author:Hannah Graham, Rob White [Hannah Graham, Rob White]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Social Science, General, Criminology
ISBN: 9781136216862
Google: 02UKBAAAQBAJ
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2014-07-17T03:18:01+00:00

Understanding best practices

Programmes and interventions involving animals require consideration of certain basic provisions extrinsic to the normal operations of a prison or a courtroom. For example, if dogs are staying at the prison, then suitable quarters and areas will be needed, as will requisite supplies of food and training equipment. Issues of hygiene, grooming and waste disposal have to be acknowledged as well as the usual duty of care requirements pertaining to the humane treatment of animals. Institutionally, there needs to be both physical space for and dedicated commitment to the welfare of the animal.

Prison pet programmes in England, Wales and Scotland involve a wide variety of animals, including fish, birds, dogs, rabbits, cats, guinea pigs and snakes. Purpose-built accommodation and animal-specific training and support need to be part of programme planning (Ormerod, 2008). In some cases, animal-free zones within a facility will also have to be delineated for those who have allergies or phobias to animals. Whether it is in prison, a probation office or police station, respect and recognition need to be upheld for those who, for different reasons, do not want animals in close proximity, or do not find their presence therapeutic.

Community and professional collaborations are also required, especially in relation to animal trainers/handlers, veterinarians and volunteers who might take the animals outside the prison on weekends and for special events. Animal trainers/handlers who can work with prisoners, as well as animals, are essential, and much learning may have to occur on all sides. The prison or other criminal justice facility such as a courthouse must be receptive and understanding; staff must be willing to accommodate the challenges related to animals and to allow a smooth interchange between animal professionals/volunteers, and participants in a particular project or programme.

In a similar vein, one of the key strengths of Courthouse Dogs is that it taps into existing networks and has naturally built over time an interdisciplinary informal community of practice, with diverse stakeholders collaborating to see it grow. Celeste Walsen, their executive director, explains:

We have a partnership with the Seattle Police Department … We ‘piggy back’ and collaborate with existing non-profit organisations and government agencies, which is very important. Assistance Dogs International accredits assistance dog organisations all around the world. So we went to their conferences, and introduced them to the idea and got them interested in placing dogs with government and criminal justice agencies that had also become interested in the US and Canada, which then expanded to Chile. We spoke at prosecutor conferences and law enforcement conferences, and brought the dogs with us. So we already had a network to tap into, and that was a huge help.

Relational dynamics are a useful gauge of the extent to which change is being realised and institutionalised.

Assessment of best practice can be undertaken through close analysis of the relationships formed between offenders and animals. For example, Furst (2007) provides fascinating insights into participant responses to dogs, including perceptions of dogs as thinking intelligent beings, dogs as individuals, dogs as emotionally giving, and dogs as having an ability to serve as social facilitators.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.