Prisons and pets

Law360 Canada (May 8, 2025, 1:10 PM EDT) --

John L. Hill

In my practice as a prison law lawyer, I encountered a situation that has received little notice. I found that many inmates who were recently incarcerated struggled more with the loss of their pet than with being sent to prison.

One of the first inmates I interviewed at Kingston Penitentiary was a man who had been imprisoned for violent sexual assaults. In that first interview, his main concern was not the years he would spend locked away from society but the severe grief he was experiencing without his dog and his lack of knowledge on how the animal would be cared for.

Another situation was an interview with a woman imprisoned for killing her child. My first suspicion that this might be a case of wrongful conviction was when the woman wept over the loss of a kitten that had been entrusted to her for care through the Grand Valley Institution for Women’s kitten program. Nobody who could feel such grief over the loss of a feline could kill her own child, I reasoned. She was subsequently exonerated.

There are a few studies and reports that explore the emotional and psychological impact on incarcerated individuals who must give up their pets upon entering prison. While direct research on this specific issue is limited, related literature and programs provide insight into the profound effects of such separation.

The human-animal bond (HAB) is recognized as a significant source of emotional support, often likened to familial relationships. When incarcerated individuals are forced to relinquish their pets and HAB is broken, they may experience grief akin to losing a family member. This loss can exacerbate feelings of isolation and depression, particularly in an environment where emotional expression is often suppressed.

Lori Kogan, professor of clinical studies at Colorado State University, and Phyllis Erdman, professor of counselling and associate dean for academic affairs at Washington State University, have co-authored Pet Loss, Grief, and Therapeutic Interventions. One chapter emphasizes that pet loss in prison settings is a legitimate cause for grief and can be a profound emotional challenge.

Moreover, the psychological effects of incarceration, such as emotional over-control and alienation, can intensify the distress caused by pet separation. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes that prisoners often develop emotional distancing as a coping mechanism, which can hinder their ability to process and express grief.

Although unusual in Canada, some correctional facilities have implemented programs that allow inmates to interact with animals, providing therapeutic benefits and mitigating the emotional toll of pet separation. Facilities like the Tarrengower Prison, a small, minimum-security institution in Victoria, Australia, have programs where inmates care for and train retired racing greyhounds for adoption.

These programs offer emotional support, build self-confidence and provide inmates with skills that can aid in post-incarceration employment. At Green Haven Correctional Facility in Stormville, New York, inmates participate in training service dogs for veterans and first responders. This program has been noted to have a transformative impact on participants, fostering a sense of purpose and emotional connection.

These programs not only help inmates cope with the loss of their own pets but also provide a sense of companionship and responsibility that can be therapeutic.

Reuniting incarcerated individuals with their pets poses significant challenges. Communication barriers between inmates and animal shelters can lead to permanent separation. For instance, shelters may classify pets as abandoned if they cannot contact the owner, leading to the pet’s adoption by someone else. This process often occurs without the incarcerated individual’s knowledge or consent.

The Washington Post has reported that efforts are being made to address these issues. In New York City, special case advocates work to track and reunite pets with their incarcerated owners, recognizing the importance of these bonds and the emotional distress caused by separation.

While direct studies on the impact of pet loss due to incarceration are limited, existing literature and programs highlight the significant emotional toll such separations can have on inmates. Recognizing and addressing this issue through therapeutic programs and improved communication between correctional facilities and animal shelters can help mitigate the negative effects and support the well-being of incarcerated individuals.

John L. Hill practised and taught prison law until his retirement. He holds a J.D. from Queen’s and an LL.M. in constitutional law from Osgoode Hall. He is also the author of Pine Box Parole: Terry Fitzsimmons and the Quest to End Solitary Confinement (Durvile & UpRoute Books) and The Rest of the [True Crime] Story (AOS Publishing). The Rest of the [True Crime] Story has been shortlisted for a prestigious Brass Knuckles Award, which is the Crime Writers’ of Canada’s prize for best nonfiction crime book of the year. Contact him at johnlornehill@hotmail.com.

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