Czech prison's unconventional rehab: Kangaroos taste freedom

The abilities of animals to work with humans are appreciated in many aspects of life. Traditionally, one thinks of therapies using our furry or feathered friends or support in transportation. A Czech prison uses animals to work with inmates. However, not everyone is satisfied with the working conditions, as was clearly shown by two kangaroos. The mammals chose freedom.

Finding people under collapsed buildings or avalanches, support in treatment, finding dangerous cargo, transportation in hard-to-reach places, accompanying in daily activities—around the world, animals are treated not only as family members or sources of food but also as support for humans in various aspects of life. Humanity copes better in different areas thanks to the invaluable help of dogs, cats, monkeys, horses, elephants, alpacas, and rats.

Employees at the prison in Jiřice near Nymburk believe in the power of human-animal cooperation. The Czech city is located several kilometres west of Prague. Inmates at the facility are divided according to the gravity of their crimes. In the open section of the prison, animals are employed to work with the prisoners to help in their rehabilitation. Among the furry prison workers are both common and exotic species, including two kangaroos. The 32 inmates in the open section of the prison live in special houses that are intended to prepare them for returning to freedom. Meetings with animals are supposed to support them in this process.

Both kangaroos chose freedom on Saturday, August 3, 2024, probably due to the caretakers' oversight. One of the mischievous mammals returned to its quarters shortly after running away. The other, more daring one, decided to make itself at home in the forests surrounding the prison. The search operation for the fugitive involved prison staff, the local community, and a veterinarian who specialized in exotic animals.

The kangaroo's escape lasted exactly one week. On Saturday, August 10, 2024, the Czech prison service announced the animal’s return via Instastory. As reported by the officers, the kangaroo voluntarily returned to the facility's grounds. Currently, the animal is being examined by a veterinarian, but as confirmed by the Czech prison service, the mammal is unharmed and just very hungry.