Cesar was part of the "Cubs on Probation" program and used to visit the jail regularly to be trained and socialized by inmates and then have the opportunity to be adopted.
But Caesar had a big problem: a crippling anxiety that was too discouraging for people outside prison.
"Cesar was so uneasy when he went out that he was really only happy when he was here, so his prognosis for that kind of life wasn't good," says prison officer Wayne Schulze.
"He goes up and down the landing all day, gets patted all the time, which is perfect for him because he suffers from separation anxiety, so prison has been great because he's never without a human," says Cesar's caregiver.
Inmates at the minimum-security prison banded together and raised 14,000 Australian dollars ($9,500) to adopt the anxious dog. Now, dog and prisoners have a great time together for the benefit of all.
"It's family, it's the closest thing we have to a family," says Cesar's trainer. "I've seen troubled men come to this place and hang out with Cesar and, yes, it's amazing what he can do," Schulze says.
A few months ago, Caesar received a surprise: eight-month-old Zeus, who was also adopted by prison. He is still being trained and taught to behave well by Caesar.
Dogs Home of Tasmania, the organisation that runs the prison reception programme, had to suspend its operations due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but there are now plans to restart it.
"The puppies keep us alive and give us back a little dignity, we are doing something for the animals, not for us," says César's caretaker.
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