RESEARCH

A Garden Can Cultivate an Inmate: Reimagining Youth Incarceration

“A Garden Can Cultivate an Inmate” proposes a therapeutic gardening curriculum for youth in detention centers, aiming to reduce stress, build skills, and promote rehabilitation through restorative justice principles and community engagement. By providing access to nature and gardening education, this project strives to honor the humanity of incarcerated youth and break the cycle of re-offense.
Program Types: Therapeutic
Population Groups: Corrections/Justice-Involved
Setting or Context: Jails/Prisons
Health and Wellness Outcomes: Increased Sense of Belonging (Reduced Isolation), Improved Stress Management
Allied Profession Intersections: Landscape Design
Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening
Evidence Type: Case Studies
Measurement and Evaluation: Program Effectiveness
Research Source: Non-Profit Organizations
Access: Free
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Summary

The project “A Garden Can Cultivate an Inmate” proposes using therapeutic gardening as a rehabilitation strategy for incarcerated youth. It aims to address the mass incarceration crisis by emphasizing restorative justice and providing a low-cost, engaging way to reduce mental stress and build valuable skills. The initiative involves a youth garden curriculum designed to empower young people and strengthen their connections with their communities.

The project integrates research and design recommendations for carceral spaces, focusing on social equity and inclusion. By offering parallel experiences that can be shared with friends and family outside detention, it promotes effective rehabilitation and re-entry. The collaboration with stakeholders, including correctional staff and community partners, is key to its success, demonstrating the potential of gardening to strengthen community bonds and offer a haven for incarcerated youth.

Link

Maloney, S. (2021). A garden can cultivate an inmate: Reimagining youth incarceration

 

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