Jamaica: Hydroponic greenhouse to help inmates rehabilitate
Greenhouse growing and detention for some reason has always been an interesting combination. Think about the hundreds of inmates that were put to work every day inside the former tomato greenhouse facilities of EuroFresh in Arizona. While the inmates at EuroFresh were mostly used to just pick the tomatoes, the new initiative in Jamaica goes a step further and hopes to help inmates rehabilitate more efficiently.
The inmates are involved in the design process of the greenhouse, which will be a modern style facility with equipment to grow hydroponic lettuce, pak choy, tomatoes and sweet peppers.
“The use of greenhouse technology at the Tamarind Farm is a significant milestone in our efforts to enhance rehabilitation through skills training, and advance the production of quality crops that can be used in our 'eat what we grow campaign',” said Senator Pearnel Charles Jr. According to him, the initiative facilitates inmates being exposed to training in modern agricultural techniques, which should benefit both correctional officers and inmates.
It is believed that the inmates will have a better chance to start their own greenhouse or farming venture as soon as their detention comes to an end.
Details on the site and planning of the project have not been made available yet.