Gennifer Furst provides the first comprehensive look at prison-based animal programs, an innovative  approach to rehabilitation that draws on the benefits of human-animal interactions.

Analyzing a national survey of these programs and also presenting in-depth case studies, Furst pinpoints the mechanisms that transform prisoners’ lives and reduce the chances of recidivism. The result is a thought-provoking exploration of a correctional programming idea that promises to benefit inmates, animals, and communities alike.

Gennifer Furst is assistant professor of sociology at William Paterson University of New Jersey.