COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Dogs will occupy a portion of a South Carolina prison, but it's for a good cause.

Officials say inmates at the medium-security Kershaw Correctional Institution are training Labrador retrievers how to open doors, pick up laundry and flip light switches.

It's part of a program to train dogs to help people with physical disabilities and children with autism.

Three puppies arrived at the prison in April as part of an agreement between the Department of Corrections and Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services, or PAALS.

Trainers work with inmates to teach the dogs basic cues like "sit" and "stay." The dogs live with inmates during the week and stay with foster families on weekends.

PAALS officials say using inmates to train the dogs allows the organization to serve more people in need.

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