NEADS opened its first Prison PUP Partnership in December, 1998 at North Central Correctional Center in Gardner, Massachusetts. We currently have fourteen additional prison programs:

• Boston Pre-Release, Roslindale, Massachusetts


• Bristol County House of Correction, N Dartmouth, Massachusetts


• Caledonia Community Work Camp, St Johnsbury, Vermont


• Donald Price Medium, Cranston, RI


• JJ Moran Medium, Cranston, RI


• Hampshire House of Correction Northampton, Massachusetts


• MCI Plymouth Plymouth, Massachusetts


• MCI Framingham, Framingham, MA


• MCI Norfolk, Norfolk, Massachusetts


• North Central Correctional Center Gardner, Massachusetts


• Northeastern Correctional Center Concord, Massachusetts


• Pondville Correctional Center Norfolk, Massachusetts


• York Correctional Institution Niantic, Connecticut

To date, over 80 puppies raised in the Prison PUP Partnership have been placed as service dogs. Statistics show that prison dogs experieince advanced training in half the time as dogs raised in foster homes because of the higher level of training the dogs receive from inmates. This benefits not only our dogs because they spend less time in the kennel, but more importantly, our clients because it enables us to place dogs faster with people in need.

Frequently asked questions:

How are inmates chosen for the NEADS program?
Staff members initially screen interested inmates at each facility. Each must meet certain criteria in their overall behavior and job records. Potential inmate handlers chosen are usually model inmates. NEADS puppy program staff then interview all candidates and make final selections for participants in the program.

What kinds of puppies are in the prison programs?
We train primarily labrador and golden retrievers in the prison program. We also raise smooth collies and standard poodles, and occasionally may place a few in the prison program. Occassionally, a hearing dog candidate may find it’s way into the prison program. Most hearing dogs, however, are rescued as adults from animal shelters. We place them directly into the kennel at NEADS for training.

Where do the puppies live?

Each puppy is matched with a primary and a backup handler. The puppy lives with the primary handler. We provide a crate so that the handler can set up a sleeping area within his/her room. Although inmates sleeping quarters are called “cells”, they are more like college dormitories. Puppies spend most of their time with the primary handler. This means that they go along with them to programs, classes, recreation areas, and even to chow halls for meals. The only time they actually spend in the room with the inmate is usually at night or for scheduled count times when inmates are required to be in their room. Some inmates hold part-time jobs in addition to participating in the program, but most participants in the program are not required to work because of the demands of raising a puppy. Occasionally the puppy may go along to work with the handler or will be cared for by a backup handler until his/her handler returns from their job.

How many puppies are in each program?

The size of each prison program varies; usually with four to six puppies per facility. Each facility decides how many dogs it can house and raise comfortably. Most facilities designate a section of housing for the program where handlers are given single rooms in order to accommodate a puppy, crate etc.

What sort of training do inmates receive?

A NEADS trainer visits each prison program once a week to conduct a two-hour class for the inmates in the program. Here, the inmates learn how to teach their puppy basic obedience and service dog tasks. In addition, they learn how to groom and properly care for their puppy, basic first aid, and canine health. The trainer assesses each puppy each week, making training recommendations and homework for the handler for the upcoming week.

How do the puppies receive adequate socialization within the prison environment?

We require the handlers to provide socialization around the facility by bringing their puppies with them whenever possible. Whether going to a medical appointment, the chow hall for a meal, to a class, or to the visiting room, the puppy is usually right by the handler’s side. This way, they are constantly exposed to as many new people, sights, and sounds as possible.

How do the puppies get experience to things like car rides, traffic, bus stations, malls, homes, etc?

There are things the handlers cannot expose their puppies to outside the confines of prison. In order for the puppies to develop normally and get used to things out in the world, volunteers help out. These weekend puppy raisers, trained in socialization skills by NEADS, are assigned to a puppy for the year they are in the prison program. Each volunteer picks up his/her puppy on Friday night, and brings it back on Sunday. Puppies spend their weekends in home environments and following the volunteers’ routine around town.

How to help Prison Pups

Volunteer to be a weekend puppy raiser. For more information, or to apply, please contact: klemerise@neads.org