European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 20, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine by Anne Buckley associated press society has locked away John Van Fossen and Iho Billy at his Side Van Fossen because he killed someone and the horse because she s wild. The Tilly is one cd about 200 Mustangs rounded up on the Plains of Iho Western United slates and brought to Tho los Lunas correctional Center a minimum Security prison in new Mcnico that often is Rel orred Loas an Honor  there the horses Are Kopl behind sleet bars in Adobe corrals. They have had lit to Contact with humans and Hoy arc skittish with feral looks in their eyes their noses quivering. Van Fossen lives behind bars next door at the medium Security Central new Mexico correctional facility. Five Days a Wock. Van Fossen and about 30 other inmates arc released for work detail Tho work beings the inmates and Iho horses together the Bureau of land management is hoping the horses can be lamed enough that someone will adopt them. The corrections department wants the inmates to learn lessons that will stand them in Good Stead on the outside. Korea and inmate spend about three weeks together their missions completed when the animals can Wear a Hatter be led lilt their hooves for cleaning and interact with humans. The horses then Are put up or adoption under the blk s wild horse and Burro adoption program. Upon the inmates arrival at the seven acre breaking Arena the horses ears prick and they appear calmed. She s my baby girl says Van Fossen who is serving time Lor second Dogre murder you gel attached to them. You gel attached to anything you care about when you re in a cell you can t show caring. The other Guys will Start thinking you re funny. Alter a Long time you almost forget How to be Nice. This has improved my Outlook in life a to. But you never got used to their  the adoption program was the result of a 1982 moratorium on the wholesale Slaughter of the wild Mustangs which deplete Range land and multiply. Fests inmates at minimum fee Tuitt pro wet in new Mexico can join program it break wild Honta Tor to option. Rapidly. The ban Letl the Federal Agency with More than 10,000 horses from this year s Roundup atone. To adopt a horse a person must sign a contract Wilh the blk and pay $125. If after a year the person has lived up to Tho provisions of Tho contract which primarily concern the animal s welfare Lisle is Given. This place was chosen in new Menico because of the nature of the institution it s a farming institution says Warden Dan Moi arly who takes Pride in Iho 1, Honor farm s appearance. I think the program has a great Deal of Promise especially in View of the National concern for the welfare of horses he says. On a tour of the Honor farm the Warden wearing Cowboy boots likes to show visitors tha wildlife that also lives there. A Brief drive irom the administration budding to the corrals outlets glimpses of Snow Goose Sandhill Crane and Road runners. There also is a Dairy and Row upon Row of com Almalta and Barley. The corrals which were built by the inmates a part of another prison program were designed id hold 500 inmate Ralpth Birtett Ham k up with a Hong lie hat broken. Horses the first group of horses arrived in Early october to begin what the blk says is the second such program in the nation. Inmates who work with the animals will be rolled year round so others can have the Opportunity. This is the Best therapy says lat Loo covered Ralph Bartlett 31, who is serving time Tor conspiracy. It beats any psychologist. The horses you work with Aro your a Vorilas. You worry about iwo they la be Tacalod you want to make sure somebody s going to get Thorn who la Lake care of them Hay Aguirre a 40-Ycar-pw Roswal Man convicted nearly 20 years ago of Kidnap Rapo and assault agrees. It s a responsibility Ihal s Long in coming says Aguirre who has named his horse Cherry sack. A responsibility i think the Guys Lake As a step toward getting on the outside. You have to give them responsibility in prison. It s an outlet for hostility and frustration tv9 had a big change in Altitude. On Trie inside Iho Guys have in i Don t give a Damn attitude they come out Here and get some responsibility and they Start giving a  inmate Frank Howell 42, says he has bought one of the horses for his grand. Ii you look around Al a Tol of these prisoners the Only thing they know is How to get in Troubie he says. Bob Nelson. 26, who is serving a sentence or second degree murder says it is inevitable that the inmates develop a relationship with the animals. He says he too has Learned irom working with them and thai a enjoys being Able to spend time outdoors. It makes doing time a lot easier he says. The stars and stripes Page 13