Ohio Prisons Find Unexpected Rehabilitation Tool: Wildlife Care
MARION,OH – In a unique program gaining national attention,several Ohio penitentiaries are utilizing the care of injured and orphaned wildlife as a powerful tool for prisoner rehabilitation. The initiative,spearheaded by the Ohio Wildlife Center,allows inmates to provide hands-on care for animals ranging from songbirds to opossums,fostering empathy,obligation,and a positive shift in behavior.
The program began nearly 25 years ago, envisioned by the late Donald Burton, founder of the Ohio Wildlife Center. It’s now thriving at institutions including Marion Correctional Institution, Richland Correctional Institution, and the Ohio Reformers for Women. Prisoners receive specialized training on animal care, learning to feed, assist, and even construct habitats for the recovering creatures. Some birds are housed in dedicated aviaries, while smaller mammals are sometimes cared for in cages within inmate cells, allowing for close monitoring of their recovery.
“They have the chance to take care of living beings other than themselves, developing empathy and discipline, with obvious positive effects on their daily behavior. A real rehabilitation,” the article states.
Between January and June of this year, the Marion Correctional Institution alone treated 284 animals, with a goal of reaching 1,000 by year’s end. Program Coordinator Scott Fuqua notes a tangible impact on inmate conduct. “They tend to stay away from problems and to show interest in learning on animals,” he said.
The Ohio Wildlife Center Hospital has, to date, assisted approximately 9,000 animals representing nearly 200 species. A remarkable 70% of this work is carried out by prisoners within the correctional facilities. currently, over 60 inmates participate across five state institutions, with 52 based at Marion, where birds are exclusively caught for the program.
For some long-term inmates, the opportunity to work with wildlife has become invaluable. Losing the privilege would be considered a meaningful sanction, highlighting the program’s profound impact on their lives. Some prisoners have even developed expertise in managing complex recovery situations for numerous species. The Ohio Reformers for Women have been involved in the project since 1994, also reporting positive improvements in inmate behavior.
The program’s success is detailed further on the Ohio Wildlife Center’s website: https://ohiowildlifecenter.org/partnership-helps-rehabilitate/
