The Camden County jail is training the dogs as companions for veterans.
CAMDEN -- A new program utilizing inmates to train rescue dogs to be matched with military veterans suffering from service-related conditions was rolled out Monday at the Camden County jail.
"This is about a second chance," said Lt. Clifford Kareem, a corrections officer who helps supervise the pilot program. "These are rescue dogs. As one of the inmates said, it's given him something inside, which is a hope to take away depression. Teaching rehabilitation is our main focus. It's something we ought to really focus on as well as the security part."
The program pairs five dogs with 10 inmate trainers in a 12-week program. The dogs live at the correctional facility but do not sleep overnight in cells with inmates. The first graduating class of two dogs is scheduled later this month.
The One Love Animal Rescue group teaches inmates to train and care for the animals. The dogs will then be matched with a military veteran as a companion, which studies have shown can help former soldiers deal with issues such as post-traumatic stress disorders, officials said.
"The opportunity to have inmates participating and learning a new skillset that will ultimately benefit veterans is a home run for public policy, and it is critical that we continue to find more innovative ways to support both communities," said Camden County Freeholder Jonathan Young, who serves as liaison to the Department of Corrections.
State Sen. Jim Beach, D-Camden/Burlington, was instrumental in launching the program.
"A veteran came into my office and said he had go all the way to Ohio to get a companion dog," Beach said. "I thought that is just not acceptable for the state of New Jersey not to do things for their veterans."
Beach said the county Director of Corrections David Owens took $50,000 out of his operating budget to provide startup funding for the project. Beach said he hopes he state will provide funding to continue the program.
Inmate Scott Ryan said the program has already changed his life.
"I've lived on the rough side with addiction," Ryan said. "Now I have a chance to see things more clearly. It's teaching me to care there's more in life than just drugs."
Officials say the program is one of the few in the state to match inmates and service dogs.
Bill Duhart may be reached at bduhart@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bduhart. Find NJ.com on Facebook.