Prisoners help cats land on feet

Press Release issued: 19 July 2010 at 5:56pm

Homeless cats at Cat Haven in Shenton Park have been benefiting from the volunteer work of six female prisoners from the Boronia Pre-release Centre for Women.

The volunteer work is also important in preparing the prisoners for release by helping them transition back into society.

The minimum-security prisoners were carefully selected to work outside of the prison, and visit Cat Haven every Friday to help with vital maintenance.

Cat Haven spokesperson Jessica Reid said the shelter was grateful for the support of Department of Corrective Services in helping them provide a valuable service to the Perth community.

"We have been really impressed with how hard the prisoners work when they visit us," Ms Reid said.

"We are a not for profit charity that relies heavily on the work of volunteers to support homeless cats and the hard work of these women is really helping us make a difference."

Boronia Pre-Release Centre for Women Community Activities Officer Peter Smith, who accompanies the prisoners on visits, said the program was a great way to rehabilitate and re-socialise prisoners.

"It doesn't faze the women that some of the work can get dirty, they just roll up their sleeves and get stuck into it," Mr Smith said.

The women help out cleaning cages, topping up food, washing food bowls and interacting with the cats.

The bonding has proven cathartic for the women as well as vital in socialising the cats.

"I find it very rewarding as a prison officer to see how much these women get out of helping homeless animals in need. It is beautiful," he said.

Boronia Superintendent Jan Allen said the centre also supported several other not-for-profit community programs with women often continuing to volunteer after they have been released back into the community.

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