RESEARCH

“I Grow Every Day, like Plants.” An Evaluation of a Gardening Program for Women in a Residential Community Corrections Setting.

This study found that the “Serenity in the Garden” program improved the mental and physical well-being of women in a residential community corrections setting by teaching them gardening skills, reducing their stress, fostering positive relationships, and increasing their access to nutritious food. The program highlights the potential of therapeutic gardening as a cost-effective and empowering intervention for women in the criminal justice system.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Corrections/Justice-Involved

Setting or Context: Jails/Prisons

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Greater Sense of Purpose, Improved Stress Management, Improved Physical Health, Better Nutritional Awareness, Greater Job Readiness & Vocational Skills, Increased Horticultural Knowledge

Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening, Edible Plant Gardening

Evidence Type: Observational Research, Qualitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Metrics for Physical Health, Patient-Reported Outcomes, Program Effectiveness

Research Source: Academic Journals

Access: Paid

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Summary

This study evaluates a gardening program called “Serenity in the Garden” for women in a residential community corrections facility. The researchers wanted to know if the gardening program could improve the women’s mental and physical well-being. They looked at the women’s written reflections on the program, interviewed community partners, and observed the gardening activities. The study found that the women not only learned new gardening skills but also experienced several mental and physical benefits.

Specifically, the women reported that gardening helped them relax, reduced their stress, and improved their understanding of healthy eating. The gardening program also created opportunities for the women to interact with each other, build teamwork skills, and develop positive relationships with staff and community members. The researchers concluded that gardening programs are a low-cost way to improve the health and well-being of women in correctional facilities while empowering them, creating agency, and providing an additional source of nutritional food.

Link

Jauk-Ajamie, D., & Blackwood, A. (2024). ” I grow every day, like plants.” An evaluation of a gardening program for women in a residential community corrections setting. Women & Criminal Justice, 34(1), 64-87.

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