1 Parenting, Prison & Pups: Daryl Bleecher, & Victoria BuzzancaCivic Engagement within Corrections: The Creation of the Caring Professional Kimberly Collica-Cox, Ph.D, - Criminal Justice Department Mary Ann Murphy, Ph.D., Center for Community Action & Research Students: Anthony Javornik, Taylor Cannon, Jocelyn Bravo, Daryl Bleecher, & Victoria Buzzanca Pace University

2 The Project To implement an evidence-based parenting program for female inmates at MCC (Metropolitan Correctional Center) & the Westchester County Department of Corrections (WCDOC) Using Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT)- PARENTING INSIDE OUT -with students from NYC and Pleasantville

3 Stages 1st Cycle 2nd Cycle20 women enrolled in the parenting class where we will conduct a pre and posttest assessment. 2nd Cycle 20 women enrolled in the parenting class with animal-assisted therapy where we conduct a pre and posttest assessment.

4 Methodology& Goals Methodology: Quasi Experimental Design1:1 Interviews Mixed Methods Pre and Posttest Design Subject Selection To Reduce: Stress (DASS21 Scale) Anxiety Depression Recidivism Maladaptive Behavior To Increase: Self-Esteem (Guttman Self-Esteem Scale) Confidence in Parenting Skills Contact Hours With Children Improved Relationships with Caregivers To Assess Human-Animal Engagement (Human Animal Interaction Scale) Compare a Federal & County Jail

5 How Did I get Involved? My time at Taconic & Visiting Day For the KidsDean’s Dinner

6 Community Partners 1. Pace University NYC Campus & Pleasantville2. WCDOC 3. MCC 4. The Good Dog Foundation with Trained Mental Health Professionals Good Dog Video

7 What About the Kids? Their children suffer from many issues, including, but not limited to, depression, social exclusion, anxiety, substance use, early criminality, antisocial behavior, promiscuity, and physical ailments. They are 6x more likely to be incarcerated. Kids are displaced Intergenerational offending patterns

8 The Problem Approximately two million people are incarcerated in our nation’s prisons and jails 67% of prisoners will return within a three year period. In a 2006 secondary data analysis of recidivism from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 60% of female offenders were rearrested after release, 40% had new convictions, and 30% returned to prison. Women with non-violent crimes (i.e. property or drug offenses), who are most likely serving time in our county jail, are most likely to reoffend

9 Effects on Incarcerated Moms70% of incarcerated women are responsible for a minor child and their ability to desist from crime affects 1.3 million children. Women typically feel the pains of imprisonment more harshly than their male counterparts because of the separation from their children. They suffer from higher rates of depression, self-destructive behavior, and other types of mental illness.

10 The Importance of Our Jail-Based ProgramJails have limited programming Restoring mother-child bonds may offer preventive strategies to reduce intergenerational offending patterns and improve mental health (i.e., by reducing stress, anxiety, maladaptive behavior, and depression, while also increasing levels of self-esteem) among inmates and their children.

11 Why Should We Care? 90% will return home to our communities throughout the Tri-state Area Helping Moms, helps their kids Public Safety Inmates can leave worse than when they entered Cost Savings Moral Obligation Dogs Work!!

12 Why Dogs? AAT improves physiological and psychological well beingIt is a tool to trigger feelings of safety and mediate relationships, producing more effective communication Confidentiality is an issue in jail Helps to overcome trauma Attachment Theory – Unconditional Love

13 Prison-Based Animal ProgramsIncreases self-worth, confidence, social skills & Engagement Decreases infractions 1924

14 What’s Unique About Parenting, Prison & Pups?This is the first program of its kind to assess AAT’s reintegrative/rehabilitative impact within a structured class program inside of a correctional facility. Trained Mental Health Professional Therapy Teams

15 Why PIO? Evidenced-Based: Washington Prison SystemDecreased Depression Lowered Substance Abuse Increased parental participation Enhanced Parenting Skills Reduced Parental Stress Reduced Recidivism *study participants were less likely to have been rearrested; 27% to 48% 14 Classes over a two month period with student Assistants Effective Listening Skills, Effective Problem Solving Skills, Child- Centered Play, The Child’s Job and the Parent’s Job, Encouragement, Rules, Rewards, and Consequences, Healthy Adult Relationships, CPR & First Aid class, yoga/stress management course Reunification Day

16 Parenting Topics Class 1 – Getting acquainted & Parenting StylesClass 2 - Effective Speaking Skills Class 3 - Effective Listening Skills Class 4 - Problem Solving Skills Class 5 - Bonding Through Play Class 6 - The Child’s Job and the Parent’s Job Class 7 - Directions and Encouragement Class 8 - Rules, Rewards, and Consequences Class 9 – Time out With Back-Up Privilege Removal Class 10 – Going Home: You and Your Children Class 11 – Healthy Adult Relationships Class 12 – Yoga and Stress Management CPR and First Aid Certification Reunification Day and Graduation

17 Getting The Program Started: ChallengesMultiple Layers of Approval Background Clearances Volunteer Training Gate Clearances Time Spent Getting In and Out Class Preparation Money Training, Certification & Licensure Implementing AAT Participation Consistency

18 MY Class – CRJ 331 – Strategies in Corrections Management

19 Course Specifics Service Learning – 20 hours outside of the classroom (20%) MCC or WCDOC Good Dog Training East Jersey State Prison Trip – Lifer’s Group Final Reflection Paper (10%) Journal (10%) 2 out of 3 exams (15% Each or 30%) Case Brief (15%) Debate Project (15%) Graduation and Certificates of Service

20 Benefits for Pace StudentsMost individuals have a vague understanding of corrections and this course provides students with a unique opportunity Neglected and Misunderstood Area of the Criminal Justice System High Impact Learning Course – Resume Experience Research Shows Civic Engagement is Dwindling Civic engagement courses can create social responsibility and encourage political and social participation within the community Students achieve personal growth through reflection Students who participate in service learning are more likely than other students to become involved in civic engagement activities and they are more likely to commit to participating in future civic engagement activities

21 Implications If successful, this pilot establishes a model that can become a focus of public policy to help address aspects of the mental health crisis in U.S. jails/prisons.

22 Student Reflections Our Panel Anthony Javornik Taylor CannonJocelyn Bravo Daryl Bleecher Victoria Buzzanca

23 Next Steps Funding Assistance Train the therapy teamsBegin the Program at WCDOC Questions Thank You!