A Burke County gardening project is designed to help inmates learn life lessons and career-building skills.
Project Green began after Burke County Detention Center Counselor Patrick Finney saw a similar project at work in Chatham County and recognized the potential for success in Burke County, according to a news release from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office.
Inmates works together to produce a variety of garden items that can be used to feed inmates or donated to local food banks to help feed members of the community. The garden was planted by seven inmates and is now being tended to by three inmates.
Fruits and vegetables planted in the garden include cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew melons, okra, collard greens, squash, cucumbers, eggplant and tomatoes.
According to Finney, working the garden provides inmates with a sense of accomplishment, lessens aggressive behavior and builds teamwork among inmates.
“I am grateful that our inmates are provided with a program that teaches them valuable life lessons and career-building skills,” Sheriff Alonzo Williams said. “Through the use of everyday tools of communication, teamwork, skillset, problem-solving, and just cause our inmates are aided in their abilities to enhance their skills to ready themselves for gainful employment and a productive lifestyle.”
This program is designed to get inmates to recognize that participating in a cause greater than themselves helps to foster a sense of motivation and contribution, which helps define purpose in life.
Law enforcement “hope(s) that once they are able to see and taste the fruits of their labor, they will be quickened to avoid negative behavior and avoid recidivism,” the news release said.
