EP 1 | PRISON CAT, GALILEO | THE CATS THAT RULE THE WORLD | SHEBA®

Cats rule the world and prison cats Galileo and Belle rule the Larch Correctional facility in the first episode of the new SHEBA® documentary series, The Cats That Rule The World by Academy Award Nominated director Geoffrey O’Connor. #CatsThatRuleTheWorld #prisoncat #SHEBA

[ApocalypseMeow]

I did 8 1/2 years in state prison. We had a dog program at the prison I was in. It was very nice having those dogs around. However, I'm a cat person. I've been home 9 years this year. One month after I was released I found a kitten in a Chinese take out parking lot. That cat is now my best friend. He's been with me all these years and I don't know if I would've made it without him. I firmly believe God placed that amazing animal into my life and I'm so thankful.

[Bodycountunknown]

I used to work with a handful of these guys when they got into a work release program, a couple of them would not stop talking about their cats and how much they miss them.

[catsNcode]

The correctional program manager... his philosophy and gentle, practical approach to rehabilitation, is what all prison should strive to be. You can tell he isn't running the prison like some hard ass warden. And you can tell he genuinely cares. Shoutout to Craig, David, and others for caring for these cats and striving for a better life for yourselves.

[austingirdner]

"For once in my life I asked for something instead of taking it and they said yes."

Rehabilitation at its absolute finest. 🥰

[Megan-cdsh]

Hearing Craig say "for once in my life I asked for something instead of taking it" is absolutely beautiful. I couldn't be happier for him and his beautiful boy Galileo. These types of programs are amazing. There is a program in a UK prison that Gordon Ramsey started that teaches the men to cook, and it has been wildly successful as well. And I find JC Miller to be an inspirational man. Seeing someone working at a prison from the standpoint of hope and empathy instead of disdain and disgust is so refreshing. I hope the absolute best for the men and the kitties, this is such a beautiful program.

[CorinneDunbar-lsej]

To see these big tough men being so gentle with these little furbabies is just the best thing I have ever seen. Whoever devised this scheme was most wonderfully inspired

[Flufferz]

I used to be a vet tech for a cat shelter. A good portion of the staff was associated with prisons locally. I was so happy to see these people grow and just enjoy interaction with the cats. Heck, for FREE they'd fix things like the water heater, paint our walls, show up on holidays like Christmas to help care for the cats, be interested in veterinary stuff...it was great to see. Would have them approach me and be like "hey, I think Mocha has ringworm" and we'd check with a wood's lamp and sure enough, the cat was sick.

I really think these types of programs are vital to the cats and the people. Both would be lost without this option.

[mspears_bobobuddytheseniorcat]

I’m so glad Craig has been staying out of trouble for years and got to keep his cat Galileo! 😺

[nataliaschuler]

David’s sweet gentle “I know” for the scared cat is such a perfect example of what this program is about. These cats bring out the best in these men

[vanillagorilla]

They are like magic, My cat Luke stuck with me through an addiction to heroin and waited for me to come out the other side, when I did he got very very sick with cancer. And passed shortly afterwards. I know he waited for me to get better before he let his self be sick. Love ya Luke !

[RegstarRogstar]

Seeing craig get out early with galileo makes me cry ahhhh

[lifewithcats]

Wow.. I suffer from depression and anxiety.. I started rescuing and fostering cats.. after watching this I have realized that I was not only trying to rescue these animals I was also trying to rescue myself..this is a great program… I would love to implement something like this in my country.

[justingreen]

I got out 2 years ago. And I love being home with my two cats Sebastian and Miley.

[Broeckchen]

What Craig says is so vital. Stray cats have many qualities that prisoners can see themselves in. Cats can be standoffish, they can lash out, there is a wild animal in each one. They aren't convenient animals and convicts don't see themselves as convenient people.

So to make them gently tend to animals that bear such a reflection of them is brilliant. They are invited to be kind and loving to a living being that goes through so much they know first hand. It's like giving them little symbols of themselves, with each one carrying an innocence that makes them easier to love.

So subconsciously, the convicts learn about selfcare.

"The being is scared. It needs affection and stability, but also space sometimes."
"The being is hurt. It needs attention and care for the physical issues. Might even need round the clock care until the issues get better."
"The being is happy. It thrives. It's okay to enjoy this thriving together."
"The being is a stray. It needs a home."

I learned to love myself a bit more through my cats.

And also, loving these cats together humanises convicts and wardens more for each other. It's hard to see someone as less human once you have seen them hold a scared kitty and soothe it.

So there is more mutual respect in the air.

This is vital!

[crissieeocvlz]

That prison warden needs to be cloned and put in charge of all our prisons. He’s wonderful.

[MM-mrnj]

The developer of the cat program should get an award! The prisoners are benefiting and the cats are too, just wonderful! Cats are quiet, loving and stress relievers!

[TheShangralaaaa]

Imagine being In prison and spending your time caring for these animals. For me that would make life alot more bearable

[PacoOtis]

I'm a 82 year old Vietnam vet helicopter pilot and love my pets and have a cat on my lap as I compose this and congratulate this program about the love of animals. Best of luck to all of them!

[gailbishop]

I’m confused, why did 1000 people dislike this?? This program not only saves cat’s lives but it is also a great way for the prisoners to show love and respect but get the same thing from the cat. Cats and dogs are great stress relievers, the prisoners should be proud of the great work they are doing !

[yadiraamedrano]

Who thought of this?? Give them a Nobel peace prize. No discussion.