How Prison Dog Programs Challenge the Racial Code in Correctional Settings and Beyond

Abstract

ABSTRACT As the governing principle of prison dynamics, the racial code is sacrosanct due to the risk of violence that can result if its norms are violated. The setup of these racial arrangements appears immutable, but previous research finds prison-based concepts of race can be temporarily “suspended” during work assignments. This study is the first to draw upon in-depth interviews with formerly incarcerated participants of prison dog programs (PDPs) in a way that not only contributes to the limited body of literature about the racial organization of incarcerated people, but finds that PDP participation results in elemental changes that de-stabilize these racial identities in a lasting way. Specifically, narratives from participants describe how lived experiences in the PDPs lead to internal and interpersonal shifts that dismantle racialized constructs and move toward a humanizing, empathetic view of others. Ultimately, this study finds that changes resulting from participation in the PDP contribute meaningfully to long-term, successful reentry.