Although animals appear to be increasingly incorporated into correctional programming, the field has failed to systematically study the phenomenon. The present research is an initial attempt to capture the extent to which these types of programs are being administered in U.S. prisons through a national survey of state correctional systems. The research regarding the potential therapeutic effects of animals and what we know about prison-based animal programs (PAPs) are reviewed. Among the results: The programs are in most states, are most commonly of a community service design that uses dogs, are more likely to involve male than female participants, and most were established after 2000. Livestock care/prison farms emerge as a unique type of PAP.A cursory examination of cable television programs and local newspapers indicates that domesticated animals can increasingly be found inside prisons across the country. Although the incorporation of animals into correctional programming appears to be on the rise, the field has yet to systematically study the phenomenon. The present research represents an initial attempt to capture the extent to which these types of programs are being administered in U.S. prisons through a national survey of state correctional systems. The programs have become more common but with seemingly little guidance by what is known regarding effective offender rehabilitation. Although the programs make sense intuitively and are successful according to a substantial amount of anecdotal evidence, empirical research on the topic is scarce. The survey described here collected descriptive information about the size and nature of the country's prison-based animal programs (PAPs).The logic of PAPs is rooted in a developed literature that has established human-animal interactions as potentially therapeutic. Physicians and

Despite consensus that dietary intervention programs should be culturally sensitive, relatively little is known about approaches to developing culturally sensitive interventions. With a focus on African Americans, the present review summarizes the existing literature on cultural considerations when working with this population and suggests strategies for the development of culturally sensitive interventions to modify the dietary practices of African Americans. Interventions to improve dietary behaviors and nutritional status among African Americans are needed urgently in order to reduce morbidity and mortality from diet-related diseases in this population. Findings are intended to serve as a guide for future research and practice on culturally sensitive approaches for effecting such changes.

The media tends to influence public perceptions of the criminal justice system. The media’s impact, known as the CSI Effect, is not well documented in criminal justice majors. The present study adds to a small body of literature regarding the impact of media on criminal justice students’ decisions, and seeks to identify the factors that influence students’ choices, regarding their major/career goals. Based on the results from surveys administered at an urban university in the United States, most criminal justice students reported that they were not influenced by the media, yet the vast majority believed this to be true of their fellow majors. These students chose criminal justice because they found the subject matter interesting and relevant to the real world, and they wanted to work in a field in which they could be a problem solver. Upon graduation, these students overwhelmingly reported an interest in pursuing a career in federal law enforcement. Unfortunately, corrections, a field dedicated to working with offenders, was the lowest preferred profession among criminal justice students.

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