(Photo by Cristóbal Olivares)
Some unusual residents cohabit with the inmates at the Santiago Sur Criminal Detention Center, in Santiago, Chile. Nearly 300 cats, including Carlos Nuñez’s cat Feita (“ugly” in Spanish), pictured above, live alongside the 5,600 inmates at the penitentiary.
The cats were introduced to manage the rodent population. But without veterinary services, specifically sterilization, the cat population skyrocketed, with many suffering illness and early death—causing inmates distress. This past year, Humane Society International partnered with the Chilean charity Fundación Felinnos to provide much-needed medical and spay and neutering services to the prison’s cats.
“Prison cat programs help both pets and people, having a profound impact on the health and well-being of prisoners, cats, administrators, and society at large,” says Katherine Polak, Humane Society International’s vice president of companion animals and engagement. “Inmates who interact with cats while in prison are less likely to reoffend.”
Last Look is a recurring photography feature on the final pages of SSIR’s print magazine, featuring images that inspire from around the world of social innovation. For more from SSIR’s Spring 2024 issue, go here.
Read more stories by Marcie Bianco.