Animals and Inmates

PAL is an organization dedicated to bringing people and pets together - giving both a new lease on life. The program at the District of Columbia Department of Corrections Lorton facility has implemented a unique opportunity for individuals who have committed heinous crimes to perhaps redeem themselves or at least to show a different side of themselves. The opportunity to show love and compassion to an animal may have lasting effects on what was heretofore a hardened criminal. The introduction of animals to this particular institution was a very unusual one since no program of its kind had ever been allowed. Since its inception, the program has given the residents an opportnity to learn a vocational trade while improving their quality of life by showing compassion and understanding to another living being.