CHAMP Prison Program

CHAMP Assistance Dogs and the Federal Bureau of Prisons are partnered on a great win-win program at the Federal Correctional Institution - Greenville Camp in Greenville, IL.

Our staff travel to the prison each week to work with a specially selected group of women offenders. The offender-trainers help us train our dogs, plus:

• Learn positive interaction skills
• Gain job-related skills
• Gain social skills experience
• Give back to the community
• Gain confidence, and experience success

CHAMP previously partnered with the Missouri Department of Corrections at the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center (WERDCC), in Vandalia, Missouri. CHAMP was in the Vandalia facility for nearly 19 years, until the DOC downsized the location and moved many offenders, including the CHAMP program trainers, to the Chillicothe Correctional Center. Our very positive experiences at WERDCC led us to pursue a partnership with FCI - Greenville Camp. We are very happy to be at Greenville, and we look forward to helping the trainers help us change the lives of the people who receive a service or facility dog from CHAMP.

CHAMP trainers live on one wing at the prison, and each dog lives with their trainer. The dogs rotate in and out of prison until they are around two (and nearing placement.)

CHAMP training staff lead classes at the prison each week. Training takes place throughout the prison, which is set up much like a small town, with housing and work areas, a cafeteria, a library, chapel, laundry, medical, an indoor gym, and outdoor recreation.

The trainers start most skills in their rooms and in the common areas of the housing unit, then go to other areas of the campus to proof the skills in a wide variety of locations and situations. The dogs even have their very own play yard, because exercise - and playtime - are critical to a dog’s healthy development!