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Philadelphia Inmates Get A New 'Leash On Life'

by Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Philadelphia Department of Prisons held a very special celebration today on State Road.

A class of inmates got a new "leash" on life as they gear up to re-enter society.

Thursday was graduation day for this co-ed class of inmates at the Alternative and Special Detention Center Pavilion.

"For me, the thoughts of having dogs in jail was pretty comical," on participant explained, "It was a test. It will test your patience, discipline, and ability to solve problems in a unique way."

New Leash on Life USA partners with the Philadelphia Department of Prisons to match pairs of inmates with a four-legged friend.

"She's a big dog and I'm a little guy. It was hard, but she came around," says Roland Barbour, a program participant.

He and Biyz Reynolds spent 12 weeks, 24 hours a day with "Bygara," a pit bull from a high-kill shelter who, before working with them, had a mischievous disposition.

Her behavioral issues made it difficult to find a family willing to adopt her.

"She was a pain at first," says Barbour, "but she's a lot of fun."

He and his partner worked to train Bygara to follow commands with positive reinforcement. But Bygara also taught her trainers.

"Patience, discipline, dedication," he says, "things I didn't have before."

"They get 12 weeks of basic animal care," says Rob Rosa, Associate VP of Prison Programs, New Leash on Life USA. "They learn how to groom, cut the nails, brush their teeth give [the dogs] medication, if they need medication, and they also get six weeks of life skills."

Rob Rosa says New Leash on Life gives the inmates a chance at a career, starting with a paid internship at local shelters.

new leash on life
Shereel Davis and Commissioner Blanche Carney with Balou. (credit: Cherri Gregg)

It also provides post-release support with case workers. Philadelphia Prisons Commissioner Blanche Carney says it's a win-win for the prisons, the shelters, and the community.

"We have a vested interest in safely decreasing the prison population," she says, "having a job helps them buy into being a citizen of their productive community."

As for the shelter, fewer dogs are euthanized.

These dogs, thanks to the program, get a new home via a forever family. That thought makes graduation day bittersweet for Angie Tanczak and Shereel Davis.

"I'm going to miss him, I got close to this dog," says Tanczak of Ballou, a 45-pound mutt she helped train, "he changed my life."

Tanczak will be released on Friday and will start her internship at a shelter next week. The mother of two says Ballou taught her how to be there for someone else.

"It showed me that it's not just dogs that need you," she says, "your kids need you, your community needs you."

"We start our new beginning," says Davis, "I'm going to miss that dog, I really am."

So, hopefully, thanks to their new friend, they'll say goodbye to the inside for good.

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