The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Second Chances program at Lowell Correctional Institute pairs inmates with rescued race horses, providing women with the opportunity to learn transferable skills while caring for retired horses. Inmates form strong emotional bonds with the animals, helping them learn to trust once again and providing a sense of purpose during their time at the facility.
For inmates like Aria Westfall, who is serving time for drug trafficking charges, the connection with her horse has been life-changing. The opportunity to work with horses through the Second Chances program has given her a new passion and sense of purpose, helping her adjust to life behind bars and find a way to help others.
After completing their sentences, women like Julianne Stowell have found employment opportunities in the horse industry, thanks to the skills they learned through the Second Chances program. Stowell and other program graduates have even created a nonprofit organization to help others like themselves transition back into society after incarceration, providing hope and opportunities for a better future.
