NEADS Manual_2026.pdf

September 2026

Incarcerated Individual Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment #1 NEADS Manual Receipt 10

I. Selection Process 3

II. Count Procedures 3

III. Institutional Lockdowns 4

IV. Training and Trainers 4

V. Puppy Bathroom Procedures 5

VI. Puppy Waste Bags 5

VII. Incarcerated Individuals Authorized to Handle Puppies 5

VIII. Access to the Institution 6

IX. Treatment of Incarcerated Individual Puppy Handlers 6

X. Cleaning Responsibilities 6

XI. Puppy Snacks 6

XII. Program Photo’s 7

XIII. Pups on Parole 7

XIV. Puppy Emergencies 7

XV. Mental Health 8

XVI. Incarcerated Individual Handler Protocol 8

XVII. Removal from the Program 9

I. Selection Process

To be eligible to be a NEADS program participant, incarcerated individuals must first meet and then maintain the following requirements:

A. Primary and Back up handlers should have a minimum of 18 months left on their sentence.

B. Must be Disciplinary Report free for six (6) months for minor infractions,

(12) months or more for severe infractions

C. Have a positive work history and institutional adjustment at NCCI and previous institutions.

D. Must be and remain departmentally and institutionally program compliant.

E. Agree to be interviewed by the Program Liaison, other NCCI staff, Program staff and Mental Health.

F. Agree to meet with the Program Liaison on a regular basis.

G. Agree to meet with Prison Mental Health staff on an as-needed basis.

H. Agree to abide by all training techniques and protocols. Read and sign

Program Agreement.

I. Understand that any violation of rules governing this program may result in removal from the program and disciplinary action.

J. No crimes against animals

K. Domestic and crimes against Children are case by case incarcerated individuals interested in being considered for this program must complete an application and submit it to the Program Liaison.

II. Count Procedures incarcerated individual puppy handlers must comply with existing count procedures. incarcerated individual handlers must comply with existing count procedures. Handlers should ensure that puppies have access to the yard prior to or after the count has cleared. In the event that you need to take the pups out to use the bathroom after the evening count time, the following protocol shall be followed:

A. Incarcerated individual handlers will be allowed to take the dogs out to use the bathroom after notifying the F-building Correction Officer.

B. You shall proceed directly outside F- Building and allow the dog to go to the bathroom. Incarcerated individuals shall remain in plain view of the officer. Do not allow dogs to urinate in the front of the building.

C. Incarcerated individual handlers will be allowed out of their rooms with early workers.

D. The following shall be done during emergencies only:

1. You shall notify the F-bldg Correction Officer who shall tell you when to bring your pup out.

2. You shall proceed directly outside F- Building and allow the dog to go to the bathroom.

3. Upon completion, you shall proceed directly inside and report to the

Officer that you have returned.

4. If staff believes that this privilege is being abused, they have been instructed to allow you to bring your puppy outside to use the bathroom and report it immediately to the Program Liaison and/or write an incident report describing the misuse of privileges.

Any abuse of this or other NEADS program privileges shall result in termination as a pup handler.

III. Institutional Lockdowns

During Institutional Lockdowns the puppies shall remain with the incarcerated individual handlers or backups unless otherwise determined by the Program Liaison or Shift Commander.

IV. Training and Trainers

Michelle Kati is the facilities puppy trainer for the program and she is an approved

DOC volunteer. She is generally on-site on Thursday mornings from 9am – 11am.

When on-site, she may take the incarcerated individual handlers and pups to the following approved areas for training:

F-bldg Basement (Training area)

D-Bldg Visiting Room

D-Bldg back stairs

Kennel area by unit

Other areas approved by the Director of Security.

Thompson Hall Stairs

Outdoor bench

Outside of F-Building

Remember that these trainers are devoting their time to the programs’ success.

Please extend appropriate courtesy to and assist them as necessary during their time here.

V. Puppy Bathroom Procedures

A. Prior to arriving most puppies have been trained to go from 1100 to 0700 hrs without using bathroom. Incarcerated Individual Puppy Handlers will be allowed to take the puppies out to use the bathroom at 1030 hrs.

Incarcerated Individual Puppy Handlers will be allowed out of their rooms with early workers at 0600.

B. In the event that you need to take the puppies out to use the bathroom after the final lock down the following shall occur:

1. You shall notify the unit Officer who shall tell you when to bring your puppy out.

2. You shall proceed directly outside the unit and allow the puppy to go to the bathroom.

3. Upon completion, you shall proceed directly inside and report to the

Officer that you have returned and then proceed to your room.

NOTE: If staff believes that this privilege is being abused, they have been instructed to allow you to bring your puppy outside to use the bathroom and report it immediately to the Program Coordinator.

VI. Puppy Waste Bags

Incarcerated individual puppy handlers are required to pick up after the puppy and authorized to use poop bags. The bags are to be used as poop bags only. An incarcerated individual handler will be assigned to cleaning the poop bucket on a weekly basis.

VII. Incarcerated Individuals Authorized to Handle Puppies

Only identified incarcerated individual handlers are authorized to take pups throughout the building and on the grounds. Any handler may take any of the puppies, not just the one they are training. At no time shall an incarcerated individual who is not a handler in the program take a pup anywhere.

VIII. Access to the Institution

Incarcerated individual handlers are allowed to bring puppies to all areas of the institution. This includes the dining hall and some incarcerated individual work/educational assignment locations. Pups are now allowed in the Weight Gym.

Puppies are allowed in the Visiting Room with visitors only after the trainer has deemed them ready.

IX. Treatment of Incarcerated Individual Puppy Handlers

A. Incarcerated Individual Puppy Handlers are not to be treated any differently than other incarcerated individuals, with the exception of the rules outlined in this manual. They are expected to follow the rules and regulations of this facility. Any issues or problems with any incarcerated individual puppy handler shall be brought to the attention of the Program Liaison or Director of Treatment.

B. At no time shall incarcerated individuals enter another incarcerated individual’s cell. In the event the handler responsible for a puppy is NOT in the unit and another handler must retrieve a puppy or puppy related item they must notify the unit officer who will be present while the necessary items are retrieved.

X. Cleaning Responsibilities

The Incarcerated Individuals Puppy Handlers are assigned Jobs in the following areas

• Incarcerated Individual Rooms

• Kennel

• Training Areas

• Poop Bucket

• Hallway

• Trash

XI. Puppy Snacks

A. While we encourage staff and incarcerated individuals to have positive interactions with the puppies in the Puppy programs, we ask that all parties concerned refrain from giving the puppies any sort of snacks. All puppies in the program are on a specific diet and too many different types of food disrupt their digestive systems.

B. If staff or incarcerated individuals would like to give the puppies a treat or snack for performing a task or trick, ask one of the incarcerated individual handlers for some pieces of their dog food and utilize that as a reward.

C. Staff observing any incarcerated individual, who is not a dog handler, feeding the puppies without permission shall take immediate action in the form of a disciplinary report and forward a copy to the Program

Coordinator.

XII. Program Photo’s

Pictures will be taken periodically of the puppies. Handlers will be given periodic pictures at the discretion of the Program Liaison.

XIII. Pups on Parole

As part of their training, puppies will spend some of their weekends with volunteers in the community.

A. All volunteer information is located in the binder labeled NEADS at outer control.

B. Puppy Handlers will bring puppy to C-gate at the designated time and staff will escort puppy to volunteer.

C. Upon return, Puppy Handler will be available in his unit at the designated time waiting to be called to retrieve the puppy.

D. In case of emergency, staff will escort puppy back to F-Building.

NOTE: With the exception of the leash, collar and cape, and gentle leader no other items are to be handed back and forth through the trap with the puppy.

Medication as needed may go out but cannot come back in, unless permission had been obtained prior.

XIV. Puppy Emergencies

A. In the event of an emergency with one of the puppies, you are to notify staff immediately. If the emergency is a minor medical situation you are to utilize your skills and training collectively to attempt to resolve the matter or until outside assistance arrives.

B. If you are unsure whether a situation would be considered an emergency, err on the side of caution and notify staff. It is better to be safe than sorry!!

NOTE: Emergency medical procedures and contact information is located on the Intranet for staff. And located in the Officers station in F-Building.

XV. Mental Health

All handlers agree to meet with Mental Health staff periodically to monitor their functioning in the program.

XVI. Incarcerated Individual Handler Protocol

Incarcerated individual puppy handlers participating in the program are expected to follow these guidelines:

A. Puppies MUST be leashed when outside at all times unless they are in the outside pen or training in an enclosed room.

B. NO “people” food is to be given to the dogs. Only treats approved by the trainer are to be used.

C. Puppies are to be fed according to the trainer’s instructions. Each dog’s daily rations are formulated according to his/her age and size. Additional bones, treats, etc. add to caloric intake and will cause puppies to become overweight. Growing puppies should look lean. Puppies that are allowed to become overweight can be removed from the program.

D. Handlers are responsible for informing the Program Liaison if dog food is needed so that it can be delivered during the next training session.

E. Puppies in the Hearing dog program are allowed on beds, chairs and other furniture, at certain times due to training, Service dogs are not allowed on furniture at any time. ALL dogs will be crated at night.

F. Incarcerated individual puppy handlers are expected to walk puppies for a minimum of one-half hour, twice daily. If outside temperatures exceed 80 degrees, puppies should only be walked in the early morning or evening hours. If outside temperatures are below 30 degrees, handlers are only expected to walk puppies for 15 minutes, twice daily.

G. Incarcerated individual puppy handlers are expected to train frequently throughout the day:

8 weeks – 12 weeks 10 minutes, 5 times a day

12 weeks – 16 weeks 20 minutes, 4 times a day

16 weeks – 6 months 25 minutes, 3 times a day

6 months and up 30 minutes, 3 times a day

The program vests should be on the puppy when formal training is being conducted, unless temperatures are high.

H. Puppies will not be left in the outside dog pen unattended. An incarcerated individual handler needs to be present whenever a puppy is in the outside kennel. One handler per puppy, no more than 3 at a time.

I. It is the handler’s responsibility to make sure puppies do not jump on people when greeting them. Tricks that involve putting paws up on people or weaving through people’s legs are not appropriate.

J. Handlers are expected to follow training guidelines and fill-out daily homework training sheets provided by the trainer.

K. All handlers are required to come to class each week with their homework sheet, puppy on a leash, treats (or puppy kibble), cape and Gentle leader.

L. All corrections used must be appropriate ones that have been recommended and demonstrated by the trainer for your individual dog. Corrections are never to be done in an angry manner. Patience, self-control, and consistency are vitally important to the raising of service dogs. Yelling at the dog, hitting, kicking, jerking the dog by the collar or Gentle Leader, grabbing etc. is Strictly Forbidden.

M. Handlers are responsible for informing the trainer and program liaison of any instances involving inappropriate barking/growling, shyness, nipping/biting, and aggression towards other dogs/people or over food, and any medical problems.

N. Handlers understand that the puppies can be taken out of the facility at any time if the trainer feels that is in the best interest of the dog.

O. Handlers may be removed from the program for violating the rules and regulations of NCCI or the Protocol listed here.

P. The Trainers and Liaison will decide who gets a puppy and when.

XVII. Removal from the Program

Participation is based on good behavior and program compliance. The Liaison or

Trainer may remove any incarcerated individual from the program based on bad behavior, prison infractions or negligence or abuse of any kind of their dog or aspect of their dog’s care.

Attachment #1

NEADS -Prison Pup Partnership Program – Medium Facility

Inmate Manual - Receipt

I have been given a copy of the Prison Pup Partnership Program – Medium Facility

Inmate Manual and have read such. I agree to abide by the rules governing this program as described. I realize that it is a privilege to be part of this program.

Inmate Name & Commitment # Date