Effects of Dog-Based Animal-Assisted Interventions in Prison Population: A Systematic Review

Villafaina-Domínguez, B. and Collado-Mateo, D. and Merellano-Navarro, E. and Villafaina, S.

Animals (Basel) (2020) 10:

DOI: 10.3390/ani10112129

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Animal-assisted interventions, in concrete dog-assisted intervention, have been introduced in prisons to reduce recidivism as well as to improve the well-being of prisoners. Therefore, the aim of the present systematic review is to provide an up-to-date analysis of the research on the effects of dog-based animal-assisted therapy in prison population. METHODS: An electronic search of the literature was performed, and 20 articles were included. The PRISMA guideline methodology was employed. RESULTS: Included studies involved a total of 1577 participants. The vast majority of protocols included activities related with dog training, dog caring, or activities, which included vocational or educational components. Duration of dog-based therapies ranged between 60 and 120 min, with the frequency being between 1 and 3 days/week. Statistically significant improvements in prisoners were observed in 13 studies. CONCLUSIONS: Dog-based animal-assisted therapy may improve anxiety, stress, recidivism, and other social variables in male or female inmates.

Citation

Villafaina-Domínguez, B., Collado-Mateo, D., Merellano-Navarro, E., & Villafaina, S. (2020). Effects of Dog-Based Animal-Assisted Interventions in Prison Population: A Systematic Review. Animals (Basel), 10(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10112129 stress, animal-assisted therapy, anxiety, dog therapy, inmates, prison, recidivism

Keywords

• stress
• animal-assisted therapy
• anxiety
• dog therapy
• inmates
• prison
• recidivism