Maryland Prison Inmates Volunteer Helping Abused Horses

A group of well-behaved inmates from the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women have been selected to volunteer their time twice a week at the Days End Farm Horse Rescue, reports the Baltimore Sun. The organization cares for horses that have been abused and neglected, helping them get a fresh chance at life.

"While the female inmates work to improve conditions for the horses, the relationships they develop with the animals will begin working on them and help them learn to love other people and themselves," said [Secretary of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Gary D.] Maynard, calling the abused horses' situation "a good analogy to the inmates' lives."

During their bi-weekly visits, inmates help with maintenance work to keep up the nonprofit's 58-acre farm on which horses roam. The partnership gives inmates an opportunity to give back -- and prison officials hope the program will also teach the prisoners an invaluable work ethic.