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New Leash on Life, First Step and PHMC reentry programs launch or expand at George W. Hill
Summary
Board heard launch of New Leash on Life pilot that pairs incarcerated women with rescue dogs, plus First Step and PHMC reentry services statistics and planned community partnerships.
A new pilot called New Leash on Life launched Jan. 27 at George W. Hill Correctional Facility, pairing justice‑involved people with at‑risk dogs and offering life skills, career readiness and animal‑care training, a presenter told the board on Feb. 11.
The program will house shelter dogs at the facility for 12 weeks; participants complete workshops and, if selected for the pilot, will be responsible for one dog. The pilot cohort includes six participants and three dogs; at cohort graduation the participants are expected to transition to early parole and a 12‑week paid internship while receiving individualized case management.
"New Leash on Life rescues at risk dogs and works with justice involved individuals to create fresh starts," the presenter said, describing the animal‑assisted therapy model and expected outcomes of increased empathy, self‑efficacy and social confidence.
Board members were also told about the First Step program and services delivered through the Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC). To date, First Step has had 85 participants successfully complete the program, with 25 participants gaining employment or completing vocational training such as CDL, carpentry apprenticeship and forklift training. The program reported an 8 percent recidivism rate among completers, though staff cautioned that participants are at different postrelease stages and not all have been in the community long enough to settle recidivism outcomes.
PHMC staff meet bimonthly with clients to develop individualized reentry plans and provide services for 60 days postrelease; enrollment is available to Delaware County residents. The presenters noted ongoing partnerships with county veterans services, Thresholds (decision‑making course), Child, Family and Focus for juvenile programming, and community agencies that provide inpatient treatment referrals (69 releases were set up to inpatient treatment in the month reported).
Program staff said the New Leash on Life pilot focuses initially on female participants and will select dogs based on trainer assessments. A demonstration dog, Macy, was used in the facility assessment before dogs arrive next week.
The presenters asked the board to consider the pilot an initial cohort with potential for expansion if the outcomes and community partnerships prove successful.
