Source: AaronAdler/Mashable

Wild Horses & Wilder Men: Inmates train mustangs in Arizona, but who is taming who?

A group of men at the state prison in Florence, Arizona, are taming wild mustangs as part of a unique rehabilitation program that has seen a marked reduction in reoffending rates.

Inmates in Arizona Train Wild Horses As Part Of Rehab Program

Around two-thirds of prison inmates in the US will be back behind bars within three years of their release, and three-quarters within five years. Those figures are far lower for a group of men at the state prison in Florence, Arizona, where taming wild mustangs for the Border Patrol is part of a unique rehabilitation program.

Helm shows inmates how to break wild mustangs behind the walls of the Arizona State Prison Complex.
Randy Helm, a narcotics detective-turned-pastor-turned-horse trainer: Helm shows inmates how to break wild mustangs behind the walls of the Arizona State Prison Complex. Source: AaronAdler/Mashable

Arizona prison where inmates train horses for US Border Patrol sees huge drop in reoffending rates

Dozens of prisoners in Florence, Arizona, just can’t wait to get up for work in the morning. — reported PrisonFellowship

The minimum-security prisoners pair up with mustangs (wild horses) and burros (small donkeys used as pack animals) at Florence State Prison for a unique job opportunity. In an effort to protect local rangelands and teach men behind bars a new trade, the Arizona Department of Corrections (DOC) partnered with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to form the Wild Horse Inmate Program (WHIP). 

From the stall to the training facility, prisoners bond with the horses and train them to be fit for adoption. The men work one-on-one with the horses under the supervision of Randy Helm, a former narcotics detective and experienced rancher. Unlike Helm, most of these men have very little experience training animals.

It’s a learning experience for everyone. That’s the magic of it.

“I never even had a puppy,” Dashonte Al-Wakil told The Arizona Republic.

Dashonte is one of many prisoners-turned-horse trainers who work daily to break these headstrong animals. Granted, the acronym is a bit misleading—WHIP trainers are careful to use gentle methods—and that process does not benefit just the horses.

“What I learn from my horses is patience, love and caring, and trust,” says Dashonte. “When these horses first come in, their problem is trust. When I first come [sic] into prison, that was my problem.”

Prisoners spend around four months training their horses. That process requires trust, and trust takes time.

Eventually, as the horses experience transformation, the prisoners do as well. “There’s a process to get there and you can’t take short cuts,” Helm said.  He emphasized the value in watching the project through to completion. Men leave the program with a sense of accomplishment, having gained new skills, a solid work ethic, and self-confidence.

“We ask a horse to yield one thing at a time, not be rideable immediately, but to be better every day,” Helm continued. “We let these horses prove themselves; why can’t we let these inmates prove themselves?”

Source: PrisonFellowship.org

BELOW: OVER FIFTY PARTICIPANTS HAVE BEEN RELEASED SINCE 2012 — SO FAR ONLY TWO RETURNED TO PRISON

McCall is one of the few inmates in the program with prior horse training experience.
Shawn McCall, 39, in prison for theft and forgery. McCall is one of the few inmates in the program with prior horse training experience. Source: AaronAdler/Mashable
He hand-selects each horse to be trained in the program.
Randy Helm checks on the more than 700 wild horses that he owns. He hand-selects each horse to be trained in the program. Source: AaronAdler/Mashable
National parks are prime smuggling areas because of the lack of infrastructure and the natural cover provided by the rough terrain.
Shane McFadden, an instructor and Border Patrol agent. National parks are prime smuggling areas because of the lack of infrastructure and the natural cover provided by the rough terrain. Source: AaronAdler/Mashable
Geronimo is a recent graduate of the ACI Prison Horse program.
Joe Ghrist, who has been a Border Patrol agent for eight years, with his mount, Geronimo. Geronimo is a recent graduate of the ACI Prison Horse program. Source: AaronAdler/Mashable
Agent Bobbi Schad preparing for patrol on the Arizona-Mexico border. Source: AaronAdler/Mashable
Agent Ghrist with Geronimo. Source: AaronAdler/Mashable
Brian Tierce, 48, trains with a horse. Tierce was convicted of assault in 2011. Source: AaronAdler/NBC
Trainers use slow movements and stay close to the horse to allow the animal to become accustomed to humans.
Johnny Stankovic, 50, practices the “Low Resistance” style of training taught in the ACI Prison Horse program. Trainers use slow movements and stay close to the horse to allow the animal to become accustomed to humans. Source: AaronAdler/NBC
Most of the horses that are brought to the program have very little contact with humans and have never worn a bridle or saddle.
Inmates try calm a new horse in the stables of the Arizona State Prison Complex, in Florence. Most of the horses that are brought to the program have very little contact with humans and have never worn a bridle or saddle. Source: AaronAdler/NBC
Tim Cameron, a 5 year veteran of the Border Patrol, with his wild horse Gus. Source: AaronAdler/NBC

Over fifty participants have been released since 2012 — so far only two returned to prison

Of the 50+ inmates that have taken part in the program since it’s inception in 2012, only two have found themselves back behind bars after being released. While the program is fairly young, a 5% recidivism rate is still significant. It is evidence of the enduring impact of constructive prison culture. By helping horses change their behaviour, WHIP trainers learn that real change is possible. A changed life is like a fresh start—a new life.

The program has brought forth other kinds of new life, too. In 2014, they welcomed the first foal ever born into the program. They named him Justice.

Source: PrisonFellowship.org

Can horse taming prevent reoffending? | The Economist This Arizona prison is teaching inmates how to break-in wild horses in the hope that the skills they learn will stop them from reoffending. So far, of the 50 inmates that have taken part, only two have found themselves back behind bars after being released. Source: YouTube/TheEconomist

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There are many reasons you might want to start a new life, and many ways you could approach this decision. For example, perhaps you just ended an abusive relationship and have to figure out how to get started with a new, healthy, happy life away from your abuser. Perhaps you just don’t like where you live and want to move to find a new start in a new community. Regardless of your goals or reasons for change, it’s possible to start fresh if you think carefully, plan thoroughly, and check in with yourself to make sure you’re doing okay. Here’s how.

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