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Milestone For Greyhound Adoption Program

09 October 2019

A program that gives retired racing greyhounds a second chance at life and teaches prisoners valuable new skills is celebrating its 400th arrival at Tarrengower Prison.

The Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) has been running at Tarrengower Prison for the past 10 years, with 400 greyhounds successfully completing or undergoing the six-week program.

Prisoners with good behaviour and an interest in animal welfare are partnered with the ex-racing dogs to help get them ready for adoption.

GAP is part of the Prison Pet Partnership between Corrections Victoria and Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV), where minimum-security prisoners foster greyhounds and get them ready for adoption.

Under the program, the prisoners take responsibility for exercising, socialising and helping the dogs learn basic obedience skills, while GRV provides the food, accommodation and veterinary care.

The prisoners also help the dogs learn how to settle into a new environment by getting them familiar with stairs, walking on a lead and sitting on a couch.

The program gives prisoners new skills to assist with their rehabilitation and helps reduce their risk of reoffending.

Tarrengower Prison is a minimum-security facility for low-risk women prisoners who are nearing the end of their sentence and getting ready for release.

Minimum security prisons help prisoners successfully reintegrate back into the community by ensuring that they are engaged in employment, rehabilitation programs, transitional programs, community service and educational courses prior to their release.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Corrections Ben Carroll

“The Greyhound Adoption Program is just one of many important programs running at Tarrengower Prison that give prisoners new skills to boost their transition back into the community.”

“The program has been running at the prison for the past 10 years and we’ve seen 400 greyhounds given a second chance at life in that time.”

Quote attributable to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards

“This wonderful program not only gives the greyhounds a second chance at life—it also allows prisoners to experience the unconditional love of an animal and helps to boost their confidence for transitioning back into the community.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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