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Prison Journalism Project

Prison Journalism Project

Independent Journalism by the Incarcerated

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Animals & Pets

There are a variety of different types of Prison Animal Programs, including counseling programs, dog training programs, wildlife rehabilitation programs, livestock care programs, community service programs and more. Many people also develop relationships with strays, wild animals, rodents and insects. These are stories about the bonds and connections incarcerated individuals have developed with animals and pets inside prison.

Stories about animals and pets inside prison. Subscribe to Inside Story to receive exclusive behind-the-scene looks at our best stories, as well as author profiles and other insights.

Colorful illustration of a beetle on the tattooed arm of a prisoner
Posted inArt & Illustrations

The Beetle That Visited a Prisoner Sentenced to Die

by Jessica Garza September 13, 2023September 14, 2023
A bird flies over a razor wire fence
Posted inPerspective

I’ve Seen Many Animals Killed Through My Cell Window 

by Gary Cooper September 5, 2023September 1, 2023
A hummingbird visits a prison cell window
Posted inArt & Illustrations

A Hummingbird Visits My Prison Cell

by Arnoldo Juarez August 9, 2023July 21, 2023
Winter scene of a Canada Goose standing alone on the snow covered frozen marsh
Posted inKites

Beloved Geese Die After Being Fed Prescription Pills

by Daniel K. Talburt June 4, 2023June 1, 2023
Drawing in green pencil or crayon of the leaves of a growing tree
Posted inEssays & Memoirs

One Small Seed, One Big Dream

by Fred Munch March 19, 2023March 17, 2023
Keeping an insect like a praying mantis in prison can provide companionship.
Posted inKites

Meet Mannie, My Mantis Cellmate

by Jeffrey McKee March 6, 2023February 28, 2023
A California Program Uses Horses to Help Prisoners
Posted inFeature

Tending to Horses in a California Prison

by Daniel Henson November 28, 2022November 23, 2022
A bright green caterpillar sits across a tree branch.
Posted inCollections

8 Stories on Human-Animal Relationships in Prison

by PJP Editors November 9, 2022April 14, 2023
A program at a Washington prison brings in kittens to be fostered by the incarcerated men living there.
Posted inEssays & Memoirs

When My Cellie Was a Kitten

by Jeffrey McKee October 11, 2022February 22, 2023
Dry cracked brown earth
Posted inPoetry

The Worm’s Home

by Christopher Reece September 28, 2022September 23, 2022

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