Effects of Dog-Based Animal-Assisted Interventions in Prison Population: A Systematic Review.

Beatriz Villafaina-Domínguez,Santos Villafaina,Daniel Collado-Mateo,Eugenio Merellano-Navarro

doi:10.3390/ani10112129

Abstract

Simple SummaryInmates usually suffer from depression, anxiety, or loss of empathy. Thus, animal-assisted therapies, and in concrete dog-based assisted therapy, were introduced in prisons in order to ameliorate the consequences of being into prison. Therefore, the aim of this study was to provide an up-to-date analysis of the research on the effects of dog-based animal-assisted therapy in the prison population. Results showed that mental health, emotional control, empathy, or academic skills could be improved after dog-based assisted therapy. Most of the studies included activities related to dog training, dog caring, or activities. The duration of dog-based therapies ranged between 60 and 120 min, with the frequency being between 1 and 3 days/week. In conclusion, these potential enhancements might lead to a reduction in recidivism and violence.Background: Animal-assisted interventions, in concrete dog-assisted intervention, have been introduced in prisons to reduce recidivism as well as to improve the well-being of prisoners. Therefore, the aim of the present systematic review is to provide an up-to-date analysis of the research on the effects of dog-based animal-assisted therapy in prison population. Methods: An electronic search of the literature was performed, and 20 articles were included. The PRISMA guideline methodology was employed. Results: Included studies involved a total of 1577 participants. The vast majority of protocols included activities related with dog training, dog caring, or activities, which included vocational or educational components. Duration of dog-based therapies ranged between 60 and 120 min, with the frequency being between 1 and 3 days/week. Statistically significant improvements in prisoners were observed in 13 studies. Conclusions: Dog-based animal-assisted therapy may improve anxiety, stress, recidivism, and other social variables in male or female inmates.

Highlights

The proportion of both female and male inmates has been increasing since 2000
Prevalence of psychiatric disorders such as stress or anxiety is relatively high in prisons [4,5,6,7,8]
Due to the large number of people in prisons, which is more than 10 million individuals worldwide, and the large proportion of physical and mental health issues compared to the general population, there is a need to develop programs that help to reduce inmate prison infraction rates or violence and increase physical and mental health [9]

Summary

Introduction

The proportion of both female and male inmates has been increasing since 2000. In this regard, the worldwide rate of female inmates has increased 50.2%, while the worldwide rate of male inmates grew 18.1%. Due to the large number of people in prisons, which is more than 10 million individuals worldwide, and the large proportion of physical and mental health issues compared to the general population, there is a need to develop programs that help to reduce inmate prison infraction rates or violence and increase physical and mental health [9]. These intervention programs, which should be focused in psychosocial well-being, can be an effective way to maintain both staff and inmates’ safety within correctional facilities, while reducing the likelihood of recidivism [10,11,12]. Conclusions: Dog-based animal-assisted therapy may improve anxiety, stress, recidivism, and other social variables in male or female inmates

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