Land, Agriculture, and the Carceral

The Impact of Working with Farm Animals on People with Offending Histories: A Scoping Review

“…Moore et al's (2015) research included quotations from prisoner participants where self-identity and labeling issues appeared important (e.g., "I don't feel so much of an inmate"). Montford's (2019) article indicated that the farm animal-empathy connection had been considered important by participants in the consultation events held about the re-opening of Canada's prison farms. A former prisoner is quoted as saying "the cows taught me so many skills and they taught me patience, compassion."…”

“…The authors stated that “claims of the rehabilitative impacts of working in intensive livestock operations need to be supported with empirical research” (p. 11). The lack of empirical evidence about this issue is also mentioned in Montford’s (2019) commentary, where the rehabilitative potential of penal animal agricultural programs is again questioned. Montford (2019) interpreted the distinction made by Furst (2006) between PAPs and prison based animal agriculture programs as a refutation of the rehabilitative potential of prison farm animal programs.…”

“…Moore et al’s (2015) research included quotations from prisoner participants where self-identity and labeling issues appeared important (e.g., “I don’t feel so much of an inmate”). Montford’s (2019) article indicated that the farm animal—empathy connection had been considered important by participants in the consultation events held about the re-opening of Canada’s prison farms. A former prisoner is quoted as saying “the cows taught me so many skills and they taught me patience, compassion.” Finally, Murray et al’s (2019) paper addressed the concept of potential mechanisms for change in four groups of participants (those with mental health problems, those with substance misuse problems, disaffected youth and people with learning disabilities).…”

“…Two articles written in response to the Correctional Service of Canada’s (CSC) decision to re-open two of its prison farms in Ontario addressed the issue of the development of a human—food or production farm animal bond. Montford (2019) presented the position that farm animals are not considered relational, sentient beings but rather input/output machines that convert animal feed into food products such as milk, eggs, or meat. It was acknowledged that some participants at CSC’s prison farm re-opening consultation events believed that interacting with farm animals could develop empathy, patience and compassion.…”

“…It was acknowledged that some participants at CSC’s prison farm re-opening consultation events believed that interacting with farm animals could develop empathy, patience and compassion. However, Montford (2019) presented an alternative view that focused on the potential for traumatic stress if farm animal work involved slaughtering and butchering. Fitzgerald et al (2021) argued that industrialized animal agriculture required the animals to be objectified and an emotional distance maintained.…”