BEHIND the walls of Tamworth's prison, smiles are returning to the inmates' faces.
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A new partnership has been forged between the correctional centre and the Heaven Can Wait animal shelter and officers and psychologists have already noticed a great improvement.
The shelter saves and re-homes dogs from the pound, but there is rarely vacancy at Heaven Can Wait.
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It has increased its capacity by establishing eight-week training program with minimum security prisoners at Tamworth.
Inmates train the dogs before the pooches find their new homes.
While it is a boon for the animal shelter, the effect the program has already had on the inmates is almost palpable.
Inmate Matt said the dogs have completely changed the feeling in the prison.
"It brings out [the prisoners'] friendly side, their softer side, I would say," he said.
"It is not the most pleasant environment and they have created a sense of warmth."
Matt said mental health issues are prevalent inside and he believed the dogs had helped in an enormous way.
"Most of us have mental health issues," he said.
"I suffer from trauma, I suffer badly with anxiety and it clams me down, it gives me a sense of responsibility as well.
"Your self confidence gets shattered when you come into a place like this.
"You get the responsibility to look after a dog it does pep you back up again."
Heaven Can Wait volunteer Natasha Field said the program was a win-win for the shelter and the prisoners.
"The dogs get out and get a lot more socialisation and training which is hugely beneficial when they are trying to find a home," she said.
"It opens up space at the shelter so we can take in more dogs."
Psychologist Jen Black has been working in the prison for some time with her therapy dog, Gracie.
She noticed a greater sense of calm within the centre since the Heaven Can Wait program begun.
The calming presence of a canine in the correctional centre has been noted in her one-on-one therapy work.
"That's maybe something to do with the way they look," she said of the dogs.
"They make eye contact and you feel that kind of unconditional acceptance.
"And the non-judgement and they are willing and forgiving.
"The thing I really see, especially if they are upset, she will hold that eye contact and it's almost like she is communicating that 'it's okay, I'm here, I'm with you, I will support and I accept you'."
She suggested a wider level of acceptance was key in recovery and rehabilitation for the inmates with the goal of re-entering society.
"I work with humans and we are not perfect, we all have our histories and our background and we all make mistakes," she said.
"In that moment when I am working with another human ... I want them to see there is a future and they have some control and choice in that future.
"From this moment, they're accepted and they can think about the person they want to be in the world and go forth knowing what it feels like to be accepted and supported."