Program offers emotional support cats to inmates

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) - Since 2012, the Lincoln County Detention Center has implemented a program that houses cats in many of the pods with inmates. The cats provide mental and emotional support for the inmates. In addition to the internal benefits, the cats also allow inmates to care for someone else.

“The cats will pick one inmate as their human, and they end up sleeping in that person’s room more often,” said Lieutenant Penny Ball. “The cats give the inmates responsibility because it is someone to care for. The inmates may be missing family, children, nieces, and nephews. They have a place to channel the care and emotional support they need to give to others.”

The cats give inmates someone to talk to without judgment and the chance to do an emotional purge, which helps psychologically. The inmates and cats form bonds that help many of the inmates deal with feelings of anxiety, stress, and isolation.

“There is a lot of tension being in here with confined spaces and stuff,” said inmate Francisco Ziphfer. “With the cats around, they ease the tension. Everyone loves and takes care of him. He takes care of everyone.”

“Sometimes, when we are in our rooms and people are crying, he knows which room it is,” said inmate Harlie Saathoff. “He can sense it, and that’s nice.”

The inmates also monitor the health and needs of the cats and alert officers if assistance is needed.

“The inmates become advocates for the cats, and the cats become advocates for the inmates,” said Lieutenant Ball. “Even though the cats cannot speak to us, they are there for the inmates.”