No, no one is really locking cats behind bars. Instead prisoners are being increasingly given the option to take care of cats:
For one jail in Nebraska, it was as simple as adopting a couple of cats to help the inmates while away the hours in a healthy manner. The inmates are solely responsible for the care of the cats. In an unusual and highly unlikely twist of fate, inmates are lining up for a turn at cat care, even if that means having to don hazmat gear to clean the litter box.
Of course, giving lonely men in prison the option to take care of some kitties does open the way for some raunchy jokes, but I'll leave those to your imaginations.
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