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Prison Dogs of Angola Prison Dogs of Angola
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The Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola is America’s largest maximum-security prison. Before it became a prison, Angola was a plantation. It’s 18,000 acres are worked today by about 5,400 inmates, many of them there for life. Dogs have always been an integral part of prison life at Angola. They patrol the prison’s borders, sniff for narcotics, search for escapees and provide support to the infirm and elderly. There are 55 dogs currently either on active duty or in training. The Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola is America’s largest maximum-security prison. Before it became a prison, Angola was a plantation. Its 18,000 acres are worked today by about 5,400 inmates, many of them there for life. Dogs have always been an integral part of prison life at Angola. They patrol the prison’s borders, sniff for narcotics, search for escapees and provide support to the infirm and elderly. There are 55 dogs currently either on active duty or in training.
The time it takes to train a dog for narcotics detection varies. It can be as short as a month but generally takes about six to eight weeks of daily training for certification. The challenge for narcotics dogs is the number of substances they are used to detect. Years ago it was just marijuana, which is very aromatic and easy to smell. With so many more types of narcotics being trafficked, it is more of a challenge. Narcotics dogs are used during shakedowns, when a dormitory is vacated and searched. They are also used for random checks of cars and people. Angola also now uses body scanning machines to help in the detection of contraband.The time it takes to train a dog for narcotics detection varies. It can be as short as a month but generally takes about six to eight weeks of daily training for certification. The challenge for narcotics dogs is the number of substances they are used to detect. Years ago it was just marijuana, which is very aromatic and easy to smell. With so many more types of narcotics being trafficked, it is more of a challenge. Narcotics dogs are used during shakedowns, when a dormitory is vacated and searched. They are also used for random checks of cars and people. Angola also now uses body scanning machines to help in the detection of contraband.
In an effort to create a fiercer security dog, the prison experimented with breeding prison security dogs and wolves. The program was started by the former warden Burl Cain, who thought it would produce a superior dog that would prevent prisoners from escaping. Wolves are pack animals and very shy around people. They would sooner run away from an escapee as chase him down. Johnny Bert Dixon, who was put in charge of the breeding program, said: “I told Warden Cain that it took thousands of years to breed the wolf out of a dog and make them useful for people. Why are you going backwards? And wouldn’t you know it, when the experiment failed the warden blamed me.”In an effort to create a fiercer security dog, the prison experimented with breeding prison security dogs and wolves. The program was started by the former warden Burl Cain, who thought it would produce a superior dog that would prevent prisoners from escaping. Wolves are pack animals and very shy around people. They would sooner run away from an escapee as chase him down. Johnny Bert Dixon, who was put in charge of the breeding program, said: “I told Warden Cain that it took thousands of years to breed the wolf out of a dog and make them useful for people. Why are you going backwards? And wouldn’t you know it, when the experiment failed the warden blamed me.”
Maj. Keavin Tanner was brought to Angola to train new corrections officers. Two years ago, at the request of the new warden, Major Tanner and his wife, Master Sgt. Sarah Tanner, created the Prisoners Assisting Warrior Services program (PAWS), a volunteer program that trains service dogs for veterans. Neither they nor the inmate dog trainers, who also have full-time jobs within the prison, get paid for their work. Major Tanner supervises 23 inmate dog trainers and 14 dogs. The dogs train for as long as a year to master 30 commands and seven help tasks.Maj. Keavin Tanner was brought to Angola to train new corrections officers. Two years ago, at the request of the new warden, Major Tanner and his wife, Master Sgt. Sarah Tanner, created the Prisoners Assisting Warrior Services program (PAWS), a volunteer program that trains service dogs for veterans. Neither they nor the inmate dog trainers, who also have full-time jobs within the prison, get paid for their work. Major Tanner supervises 23 inmate dog trainers and 14 dogs. The dogs train for as long as a year to master 30 commands and seven help tasks.
The relationship between the dogs and their trainers is intimate and sustaining. The dogs are with their trainers 24/7, and as a result are more successful. Normally fewer than half of the dogs in training are certified as service dogs. The certification success rate at Angola is over 75 percent.The relationship between the dogs and their trainers is intimate and sustaining. The dogs are with their trainers 24/7, and as a result are more successful. Normally fewer than half of the dogs in training are certified as service dogs. The certification success rate at Angola is over 75 percent.
The trainers and their dogs do frequent visits to the prison hospital and prison hospice. Major Tanner has also started bringing service dogs to the inmates’ group therapy sessions. Most of the dogs come from a no-kill shelter that was created on the grounds of the Dixon Correctional Facility to handle the large number of displaced and abandoned animals rescued in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.The trainers and their dogs do frequent visits to the prison hospital and prison hospice. Major Tanner has also started bringing service dogs to the inmates’ group therapy sessions. Most of the dogs come from a no-kill shelter that was created on the grounds of the Dixon Correctional Facility to handle the large number of displaced and abandoned animals rescued in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
All of the dogs in the PAWS program are rescues. Tun was rescued from a 15-day kill shelter and Colt was donated by a corrections employee who breeds Siberian huskies. The program was created in 2017 for veterans who suffer from PTSD, traumatic brain injuries and military sexual trauma related to combat operations. It takes a year of training before a dog is ready for service.All of the dogs in the PAWS program are rescues. Tun was rescued from a 15-day kill shelter and Colt was donated by a corrections employee who breeds Siberian huskies. The program was created in 2017 for veterans who suffer from PTSD, traumatic brain injuries and military sexual trauma related to combat operations. It takes a year of training before a dog is ready for service.
Sergeant Tanner assesses all of the dogs chosen for PAWS. She uses an interesting technique to determine if a dog is confident enough to be a service dog. Depending on the size of the dog, she will pick it up and hold it upside down in her arms, cradling it like a baby. If the dog’s tail is wagging, it’s a sign that the dog is confident and trusting. If the dog’s tail is tucked between its legs, it’s too anxious for training.Sergeant Tanner assesses all of the dogs chosen for PAWS. She uses an interesting technique to determine if a dog is confident enough to be a service dog. Depending on the size of the dog, she will pick it up and hold it upside down in her arms, cradling it like a baby. If the dog’s tail is wagging, it’s a sign that the dog is confident and trusting. If the dog’s tail is tucked between its legs, it’s too anxious for training.
The traditional use of dogs at Angola is evolving, going well beyond their use for man-tracking and security. The volunteer program to train service dogs for veterans has changed the dynamic at the prison. Before PAWS, service dogs were not brought to the hospice or hospital. Now they are regular visitors. They are also now helping inmates be more engaged in group therapy. The program has also touched the inmate trainers. Many are taking online veterinary courses and hoping that, if and when they are released, they might find a job working with dogs.The traditional use of dogs at Angola is evolving, going well beyond their use for man-tracking and security. The volunteer program to train service dogs for veterans has changed the dynamic at the prison. Before PAWS, service dogs were not brought to the hospice or hospital. Now they are regular visitors. They are also now helping inmates be more engaged in group therapy. The program has also touched the inmate trainers. Many are taking online veterinary courses and hoping that, if and when they are released, they might find a job working with dogs.
Fred R. Conrad is a photojournalist who specializes in portraiture. He was a photographer for The New York Times for 37 years.Fred R. Conrad is a photojournalist who specializes in portraiture. He was a photographer for The New York Times for 37 years.
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