Ohio Inmates Rehabilitate 100s of Injured Animals Each Year

Behind the gray walls of Richland Correctional Institution in Mansfield, Ohio, a quiet room houses some unexpected residents: baby possums, injured squirrels, and orphaned songbirds getting a second chance at life.

Since 2019, five Ohio prisons have partnered with the Ohio Wildlife Center to create safe havens for hundreds of recovering animals each year. More than 60 incarcerated volunteers care for wildlife injured in car accidents, abandoned by their mothers, or hurt flying into windows.

The facilities turn out to be perfect recovery spaces. Without pets or young children around, the ducklings, rabbits, and other creatures heal in peaceful quiet with consistent care from a small group of dedicated volunteers.

Brittany Jordan, the center's wildlife rehabilitation operational director, says prisons offer something these animals desperately need: time and stability. The volunteers follow strict feeding schedules and monitoring routines that give each creature its best shot at survival.

For the men caring for these animals, the program brings unexpected healing too. Mel H. has spent nearly 24 years incarcerated and recently joined the wildlife program two years ago.

"I have dark days and the animals pull me right out of that," Mel told Knox Pages. "No matter how bad I'm feeling, I gotta come in here and take care of the squirrels and feed opossums."

He describes how the routine transforms his hardest moments. Once he gets absorbed in caring for the animals, whatever was bothering him simply fades away.

The Ripple Effect

This partnership creates multiple layers of positive impact. Wildlife that might otherwise die without specialized care gets round the clock attention in controlled environments. The Ohio Wildlife Center extends its reach without needing additional physical space or overwhelming its staff.

Meanwhile, incarcerated volunteers gain purpose, routine, and the chance to nurture life during their own challenging circumstances. They develop skills in animal care, responsibility, and empathy that extend far beyond the prison walls.

The program proves that rehabilitation works both ways: animals recovering from trauma are cared for by people working through their own second chances, creating a circle of healing that benefits everyone involved.