the look on his face says it all

He's like a shepard the cats are his herd.

I found a Rescued not Arrested Bible in county jail. Changed my life. Now I’m a former convicted felon proud husband and father who serves King Jesus!

That would suck to be sentenced at that prison and your criminal name is like ‘the Kentucky cat killer’.

He is so proud of that award from the ASPCA, and rightfully so.

This program is beautiful. Cats recognize distress and give back love. Reduce this man’s sentence and let him take home his favorite kitty

this is really awesome

If you locked me up with a bunch of cats I would just stay.

This is amazing

I have been wanting to help with something like this for a very long time. I'm down the road from the woman prison in Indianapolis and I think it would do the ladies there wonders if they had a cat companion.

This is a fantastic program, it should be introduced to more correctional facilities everywhere! Cats can teach us so much and its wonderful that these cats are so well socialised and so well cared for that they can then be adopted out to new and loving homes.

Okay, my brain is spinning up. What about a dog and cat grooming service provided by inmates?

Well, I just thought of one other thing to help this program. These paintings are truly amazing; it would be fantastic if there was a method to submit photos of your cats or dogs for painting, as this could significantly contribute to the program's funding. I've lost a few pets over the years, so I won't get upset, but I would love to have them painted, and I would be willing to pay for a painting of them.

Our loving creator told us it was not our place to judge others, and what did Jesus command? We all love one another. Regardless of your religious beliefs, some of the most compassionate individuals are those who have faced hardships and done wrong when they shouldn't have. We all carry a yoke, some more than others, and some bear the burden of blood guilt for the rest of their lives. When he mentioned that some of his fellow inmates haven't interacted with animals in years, it's heartbreaking. Even though they are serving their sentences, their lack of interaction is unjustifiable, especially if they still feel regret for their actions despite their crimes. I'm not aware of any similar programs in Ohio, where I live, but they do have a dog-like program that trains and rehabilitates dogs. However, the program only allows guards to train their dogs; it does not allow anyone else to do so, which I believe is inappropriate. My neighbor, who is a guard, informed me that training my two-year-old Sheltie wouldn't be possible because I don't work for the prison. Because having a trained dog requires collaboration with both the dog and the trainer, I would have no issue working with an inmate who trained my Lassie, as these inmates require interaction with animals and people outside the prison. Either program would be great for these inmates to interact with the public and allow them to assess the adopter. Trust me, these men and women are adept at assessing people quickly; if they don't feel the adoption is a good fit, they should have the freedom to make their own decision, demonstrating their street smarts. Others state that such people would make great vet techs, but they would also make great humane agents.

Why were the cats arrested?

Dude that is the cutest tuxedo I've ever seen.

That cat wants to be part of the show too

My former boss was instrumental in bringing this program to Indiana prisons. He was also instrumental in the re-entry program that is now utilized nationally. The real point of prison is rehabilitation, all too often ignored in American prisons. He's also the one that fought against police brutality all the way to SCOTUS for the wrongfully convicted or those murdered by cop, to be able to sue for financial compensation. (Michael Sutherlin, Esq., Indianapolis Indiana.) He's a civil rights champion. This is a wonderful and successful program. We need more. ❤

In my opinion, cats are pretty darn cool. They all are a little different, just like us. Like us, they want food, shelter and love. I am glad to hear they try to keep some cats together when they are adopted. This guy does a great job helping cats. I sure hope he gets freedom one day soon.

I absolutely love these videos!!!!!!

you better be nice to these kitties..

I have seen another video here on KZbin where prisoners train and bond with a dog. It’s also very special and great rehabilitation. Also I think he is a very lucky guy, there is nothing more I would love to do than look after kitties all day.

Why don’t we offer more trade options for inmates? I could see these guys studying and training to become vet techs, pet groomers, etc.

❤keep up the excelente work man. Your program helps cats and you. May God Bless your work and you.

Every prison should have a tattoo removal program so parolees can have a chance in hell of getting a job on the outside.

I cannot even express how wonderful I think this is. Like others have noted, every correctional institution should have something like this.

Wow, this is a wonderful program for the cats and the staff. Anthony is doing an amazing job. Thank you for sharing this very moving story - it had me in tears.🐈🐈‍⬛

I think criminals have enough voice in this country right now

This is actually a really cool idea. It allows for mutual rehab, give them a purpose (both prisoners and cats), and allows some friendly conta t

I never really thought about it but yeah, 5, 10 or 15 years without getting to comfort a pet is special. Glad they have this.

Not sure why this was recommended to me but this is very cute

Didnt see all but perhaps they can build a larger patio.

🙏🙏❤️🐈

I Respect This Man.

I've seen a film about another, very high security, prison with a cat programme. An old, dirty, run down, terrifying looking place. But the prisoners who behave well, are allowed onto the cat programme. Carefully. The cats are all rescue cats, usually pretty old and slow. The cats live, full time, with their human. The human is responsible for all aspects of looking after their cat. This is for prisoners who have a cell to themselves. The prison has a death row, and the death row inmates can also apply to and work their way up to having a cat to care for. The death row inmate cells are considerably larger than the other ones - as they spend pretty much ALL their time there - which makes it okay for an old tired cat, who wants to be sleepy and doesn't need to run off energy. The main Correctional Officer running the programme, a very relaxed, very impressive African American man, said that the effect on the mental health of the inmates had been tremendous. This had caused the overall violence and self harm rates to plummet. Reduced overdoses and drug use and made it altogether an easier place to COs to work. Just as someone said in a comment below, these inmates got to show love and receive love for the first time, in some cases, in their lives. Cats are less...complex...or irritating..than people can be, though the CO said they were VERY careful about who is allowed on the programme and who is ever allowed near the cats. He also said that inmates tend to develop their own strict moral codes and even if these are people who have done horrendous things outside, inside, a common moral code tends to prevail and that includes that people who are cruel to animals....don't last. It is also the case that nursing homes and hospitals have found that having cats helps to keep geriatric patients more alert and happier, and improves recovery times on hospital wards. Stores that have cats, get more customers, and become more profitable. The employees are happier and don't argue with each other as much, and take fewer sick days. Is it any wonder that humans have lived with cats for at least ten thousand years? They always make our lives better. I just wished the reverse were always true.

Wow, double rehabilitation, for prisoners, and for cats, great stuff!

Animals are a great way to rehabilitate prisoners. ❤It’s great for these beautiful pets too. Such a positive thing!

This is wonderful to see , I’m sure the cats earn their keep with hunting for rodents, this guy has a nice personality and lots of love to give to his cat family, great work!

I would not trust him around no cat.

This is the best parole hearing I've ever seen.

He is a good man. I would like to see the statistics on unruly behavior from those people or facilities involved and those without and if there is a difference. Could be eye opening on the benefits

If I were ever in prison, having a pet would be the only thing that could prevent me from making myself a noose... 😢

Amazing how cats can adapt to living just about anywhere in the world regardless of the environment. They have gone from living with Pharaohs in Ancient Egypt to spreading all over the world. No matter how much time passes cats are still able to live comfortably with humans just about anywhere. Prison life is no different for them, they move in and claim their space and humans line up to serve them. Cats truly are a superior species to be able to tame any human no matter how damaged or gentle that human may be.

Great video 💙

hes a cat dad :)))

These types of programs should be available at almost every prison facility. Give these men a way to heal and gain purpose, if they’re able.

That's how it always starts, "I wasn't a cat guy." I love this so much.

It's great to see initiatives like this succeed in prisons. I think it's safe to say it results in better behaviour especially from inmates who work there; idk about anyone else but I'd be on my best behaviour if it meant I was allowed to care for the cats. You can see how much pride he takes in his work and the thought he put into the environment; even though it's pretty spare the crates on the walls show he talked to cat people and did research on his own time. Great work from everyone. I love to see it.

I’ve been a big supporter of this program since I first saw it on locked up raw 20 years ago. These guys protect these cats like it’s their child, I remember watching the episodes and almost everybody loved the cats and this whole program. It benefits the cats, inmates and shelters. If some inmate was stupid enough to do something, they’d be killed instantly for messing with the cats. I think I did a paper in college about it, I’m a criminology and sociology major and have been a PO since 2010, my hypothesis was as long as psychopaths & sociopaths didn’t have access to the program, as long as they prove they can actually empathize with another living, loving being, I’ve been all for it. I’m so glad that it’s worked out, I argued for it to be implemented in every prison all throughout the country, so long as the prison and inmates comply with simple, serious rules about behavior.

Dont laugh I thought was prison for inncoragable cats!....in intro