A Wisconsin prison's gardening program gives back to the community and teaches inmates new skills

By Sarah Roebuck
Corrections1

GREEN BAY, Wisconsin – A garden at a Wisconsin prison is having a positive impact, benefiting both the local community and the inmates involved.

The Brown County Sheriff’s Office said In the spring of 2024, the Brown County Jail partnered with Brown County Community Gardens to launch an inspiring prison garden project.

This initiative, made possible through support from the Green Bay Packers Give Back program, brought 10 raised garden beds to life in the prison's courtyard. The project not only supplies fresh vegetables to local food banks, but also provides inmates with valuable gardening education.

Led by BCCG Coordinator Rachel Quintas and Prison Warden Heidi Michel, the program focuses on giving inmates opportunities to be productive, increase self-esteem, reduce stress, develop patience and give back to the community.

The program aims to promote skills development while reducing recidivism, the Brown County Sheriff's Office said.

On August 15, the group celebrated its first harvest, including tomatoes, cabbage, collards, lettuce, basil and thyme, which were donated to Paul's Pantry, a local organization that serves over 5,000 families.

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