Department of Corrections
Inmates Train Dogs for Adoption

Frankfort, KY – Kentucky Department of Corrections Commissioner John D. Rees today announced that four inmates from the Lee Adjustment Center (LAC) in Beattyville will be training dogs from the Lexington Humane Society. LAC is one of three private prisons in Kentucky operated by Corrections Corporation of America and contracted to house Kentucky inmates.

            The Lexington Humane Society (LHS) selected canines Buddy, Murphy, Bo and Goliath because of their age, personalities and adoptability. The dogs arrived at Lee Adjustment Center yesterday to begin six weeks of positive reinforcement obedience training. The program has already been dubbed the Loyal Adoptable Canines utilizing the acronym “LAC.”  A professional trainer, who volunteers with the LHS program at the federal prison in Lexington, will be traveling to Beattyville once a week to provide direction to the inmate trainers. After graduation the dogs will return to the humane society for adoption.

            “This is a great program,” said Rees. “We have two state run facilities that have successful dog programs and have found this to be a win-win situation for the dogs as well as the inmate population.”

            The four inmate trainers were carefully selected and they will have complete responsibility for training and care of the dogs.  The dogs will live in the units and stay in the cell with the inmate trainer. LAC will be responsible for the medical care, food and supplies for the animals.

            “The inmate population and staff are supportive of the idea and we plan to expand the canine program to at least 12 dogs in the next year,” said LAC Assistant Warden David Frye.