Tent City could become a space for inmates to work with shelter animals and learn compassion.
Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone highlighted his first 100 days in office on Wednesday and provided an update on his planned closure of Tent City.
Since 2000, the Sheriff's Office has operated a no-kill shelter for abused animals that lets some inmates care for pets. Penzone says the animals are housed at the county’s oldest jail but he is considering moving them to Tent City.
“And although we give them life, it’s not quality of life. So I’m looking at options for potential partnerships to utilize that space to have a program that incorporates inmates more directly with the animal population that we’re caring for," Penzone said.
Penzone says the goal is to reduce recidivism among inmates. The program also could include training service animals.
