Film Lens
Dogs on the Inside is a 2014 documentary that focuses on a rehabilitation program at the North Central Correctional Institution in Gardner, Massachusetts. This program pairs prisoner inmates with stray and abused dogs, allowing the inmates to provide care and basic obedience training to the dogs over an 8- to 10-week period. The film follows the relationships that develop between the inmates and the dogs, illustrating how both parties benefit from the companionship and the opportunity for redemption.
The documentary is part of an initiative by the nonprofit organization Don't Throw Us Away, which rescues dogs from overcrowded Southern Kill Shelters. Through the program, the inmates not only help prepare the dogs for adoption but also find solace and inspiration in their interactions. The film captures the emotional transformations that occur as the inmates learn to reconnect with their humanity while the dogs regain trust in people.
Why Watch
- •Meet inmates caring for dogs in Massachusetts
- •See how dogs help inmates find hope
- •Follow the journey of rescued dogs to loving homes
Did You Know
•The film was shot over three days but covers a three-month program.
•Candido Sanchez, an inmate, draws inspiration from the dogs for his release.
•The film received the Viola M. Marshall Audience Choice Award in 2014.
Perfect For
Animal rescue enthusiastsPrison reform advocatesDog lovers