Historic Prison To Present Stories Of Pets Behind Bars
By John McDevitt
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A nonprofit prison dog training program will be in the spotlight next weekend at Eastern State Penitentiary. It's part of the historic site's 3rd annual "Family Weekend: Pets in Prison" event.
All sorts of interactive and educational activities about animals roles in prisons from the past to the present are planned. They include activities about pet insects to horses and dogs used for security.
Lauren Zalut is the Director of Education and Tour programs at Eastern State Penitentiary and she says "New Leash on Life USA" will be featured, a current prison system program that allows imates opportunities to train pound puppies.
"So 'New Leash on Life' is all about giving second chances." said Zalut. "I think that's why their name is so fitting. So taking these animals that would otherwise be discarded allowing them to be trained by inmates so they could be more adoptable. And then having inmates learn job skills aNd they also place inmates in jobs when they get out of prison."
"Family Weekend: Pets in Prison" takes place on June 27th and 28th. For more information check out easternstate.org.
