By Circuit Judge R. Brent Elliott
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State Representative Jay Eggleston and I were recently invited to Crossroads Correctional Center in Cameron to witness the 4,000th adoption of a dog under the “Puppies for Parole” (PFP) program. Although I was aware of the program I had no idea how many people are involved in and benefit from its operation.
According to guest speakers Governor Jay Nixon and George Lombardi (Director of Missouri’s Department of Corrections), 19 of Missouri’s 21 penal institutions now participate in PFP. Implemented in 2010, Missouri’s PFP program is the largest in the entire U.S. Over 2,000 inmates have participated in the voluntary program. Offenders who participate in the program have significantly fewer conduct violations while in the program compared with the rest of the offender population. They can also earn a certificate in animal handling that is recognized in all 50 states.
Area animal shelters provide dogs otherwise labeled unadoptable. These dogs are assigned to select inmates that have been trained by volunteer dog trainers. Inmates constantly work with the dogs until they are incredibly well-behaved and sufficiently trained for adoption. Most PFP dogs are adopted by individuals as service dogs while others are adopted by veterans’ homes, nursing homes, and mental health facilities.
It is also noteworthy that no taxpayer dollars are expended on behalf of the program. Puppies For Parole operates solely from private donations and donations from offender organizations. Even the dog food is donated by an outstanding producer from Rolla, Missouri. Puppies for Parole is clearly an outstanding win/win program for all involved.
Please join me in thanking the Department of Corrections officials, employees, offenders, and area volunteers who made this program such a success. I am also advised they have received tremendous support from city officials in Cameron, Chillicothe, and other area communities. This directly affects YOU! The 43rd Circuit is the only circuit in Missouri with three major penal institutions.