Retired judge uses therapy dogs to rehabilitate inmates

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Retired judge and San Diego resident Jonathan Colby has dedicated the last decade to volunteering with his therapy dog, Grace, bringing hope and rehabilitation to inmates in jails and prisons.

After a career of sentencing some of the most violent criminals, Colby now believes in the power of rehabilitation, a perspective he lacked while on the bench.

“Love, like unconditional love like Grace gives, is an amazing experience,” said Colby, reflecting on the impact of his work with therapy dogs.

Colby, once known for his tough sentencing, has found a new purpose in life by bringing therapy dogs to places like schools, hospitals, and jails. “We see those big hardened criminals pet the dogs, have tears running down their face,” said Sue, a fellow volunteer, highlighting the transformative power of these visits.

The therapy dogs, Grace and Kaia, have been visiting facilities for eight years, offering comfort and breaking down barriers between inmates and clinical staff. “Patients who have generally not engaged with clinical staff now are interested in coming out and having those conversations,” said Melissa Quiroz, mental health director with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.

Colby’s journey from a judge to an advocate for rehabilitation is marked by his interactions with inmates like Sirhan Sirhan, the killer of Robert Kennedy, who has expressed deep emotion when holding a dog for the first time in 50 years. “I transitioned into wanting to make a difference in the world and not having a legacy of just putting people in prison,” Colby explained.

Colby’s work with therapy dogs has not only changed the lives of those he visits but has also transformed his own perspective on justice and rehabilitation. “I hope I can continue until my final breath bringing love, kindness, and compassion to those in society that need it most,” he said.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KSWB. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KSWB staff before being published.