Nebraska Jail Uses Cats To Calm Inmates (VIDEO)

A Nebraska jail has discovered that cats bring out the softer side of inmates and the jailbirds love their new feline friends.

KNOP reports that the Lincoln County Jail has adopted two cats who live with inmates in the facility.

"We have a list of cat rules that have been laminated for caring for the cat such as cleaning their litter box, but they are waiting in line to take care of the cat," Sheriff Jerome Kramer told KNOP. The pet therapy helps reduce stress, Kramer said.

"They bring out the soft part in you just like your kids do," inmate Guy Meyers said to the TV station.

Other jails have allowed prisoners to volunteer at animal pounds. Cook County inmates in Chicago were recently permitted to clean animal shelters.

WATCH the Nebraska cats work their magic:

Comments

[ywcachieve]

09:35 PM on 08/21/2011

Aww. I love kittens/cats.

[Urfubar12]

12:49 PM on 08/19/2011

Excellent idea! I love that they are rescuing all the kitties and dogs for this. Keep up the great work!

[dvncmdy]

10:41 AM on 08/19/2011

What a cool idea...

[cvfa]

02:06 PM on 08/18/2011

Definately a dual win situation for both residents of these facilities :) Just as it is when the dogs on death row are rescued and find homes in these facilities. Giving a purpose, to both !

[LoyalBob]

01:30 PM on 08/18/2011

Exactly what prisons need is more thinking outside of the box. Win - Win for the cats and for the inmates.

[MiraMcB]

02:19 PM on 08/18/2011

Yup. Gotta love it! :)

[Patti SnowMartin]

08:38 AM on 08/18/2011

I think they should also consider rescuing dogs too. I know there's a few places that help train rescue dogs to be service dogs.

[Isilwath]

06:53 PM on 08/18/2011

There are a number of programs where service dogs are trained by inmates, and there's even a program where inmates gentle wild horses for adoption.

[panasonic52]

10:37 PM on 08/17/2011

I really like this idea. It's great for the inmates since they have something positive in their lives. It's great for the cats too since they used to be in shelters. So many more cats end up not getting adopted than dogs. I know so many people who don't like cats, but most cats I've been around have brightened up my day. I think you just have to understand them

[highplainswoman]

03:57 PM on 08/17/2011

MSNBC has their lockup series running on weekends and I believe it's Indiana State Penitentiary that allows inmates to have cats--and the transformation of the individual inmates are nothing short of remarkable. It's a good life for the cats--they have "free run" of the place and the inmates seem to take their individual responsibilities concerning the care of the felines very seriously. I don't normally watch that series--I was channel-surfing one Saturday p.m.--and I stopped short to watch that little clip.

[Danigirl22]

05:57 PM on 08/17/2011

I've also watched quite a few documentaries about inmates raising and training dogs to assist the disabled...I think this is a great idea, many animals are put to sleep simply because they cannot find them homes. Why not place a number of them in prisons with inmates that are in low security and have a proven good behavior record. I have seen inmates crying saying it was the first time in their lives they have not only received true love, but also learned to give of themselves unconditionally.

[dante2810]

03:19 PM on 08/17/2011

My cat has jeckyll and hyde syndrome. One day he is knocking over the plants and next he is being all snuggly with everyone.
Bottom line is that when I am having a bad day, the cat always know how to come up and give me some love.

My dogs, well they just love me no matter what kinda day I have.

[SkreetGil1]

02:41 PM on 08/17/2011

Aww! Cats are wonderful!

I love my cats and my dogs! They are pure love.

[bluegirl424]

02:59 PM on 08/17/2011

I know I know....kittens and puppies too....warm, fuzzy, and lovey!
Fanned you back, thanks!

[boomcat44]

02:31 PM on 08/17/2011

When served with Rice and eggrolls, Cats can be a very nice "comfort" food........
I'm sorry.
I couldn't resist.

[Chris Eng]

02:25 PM on 08/17/2011

A rare feel good story on here. Great to see.

[Violet Lazarte]

02:22 PM on 08/17/2011

Palate cleanser and inmate calmer....

[h jablome]

02:05 PM on 08/17/2011

soft on criminals!!!

just thought we should get that out of the way.

[Genders]

10:02 PM on 08/17/2011

Hech, half of them are pot heads...

[h jablome]

02:04 PM on 08/17/2011

this did not workout well in 'midnight express' for the cat.