Prisoners, strays to form bond

PACIFIC, Mo. (AP) - The dogs came from the streets. Many were abused, others sick.

They’re getting a new lease on life, with the help of a group of Missouri prisoners.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch (https://bit.ly/1hPaNUM ) reports that last week, inmates at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center in Pacific met for the first time a group of strays. For the three months, the inmates will train the dogs to make them adoptable.

The Puppies for Parole program has been in place for a few years, but this marks the first time Stray Rescue of St. Louis has participated.

Inmates at the medium-security prison will teach the seven strays basic obedience and socialization skills.

“They all come from horrible backgrounds,” Randy Grim, the rescue group’s founder, told prisoners.

The inmates and their dogs will be virtually inseparable. The animals will sleep in crates in the inmates’ cells and can go with them most anywhere in the prison, excluding the visitors area or to the cafeteria.

The Missouri Department of Corrections says that more than 2,000 Puppies for Parole dogs have been adopted. The program is funded by donations.

The Pacific prison has been without rescue dogs for about a year. Warden Jennifer Sachse said they have been missed.

“They have a calming effect,” she said. She recalled an elderly inmate who hadn’t touched a dog in years and cried when he got to pet one.

Inmates beamed as they led the leashed dogs outside.

“We really appreciate this,” said Chris Smith, who is paired with Ralph, a 2-year-old terrier and Boxer mix. Smith is serving a 15-year sentence for second-degree murder. He trained four dogs through the Puppies for Parole program while in another prison.

“It’s a way to give back to the community,” said Smith, 37.

David Ross, serving 10 years for burglary, fondly remembers Lila, the black Labrador he trained.

“I felt so much joy when she was adopted,” Ross, 45, said. Still, he said the dog’s departure was bittersweet.

He and his cellmate Jose Cintron are paired with Ruby, a shy pit-bull terrier mix Grim found on the streets of St. Louis.

“It benefits the dog, but it benefits us too,” said Cintron, 55, who is serving an eight-year sentence for theft.

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Information from: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, https://www.stltoday.com