Flowers In Purgatory Gardens in Unlikely Places
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Flowers in Purgatory: Gardens in Unlikely Places
Summary:
Tony Perez finds solace in gardening, saying, "It's wonderful to watch it grow from nothing to something. It allows you to think about what's next in life." Interestingly, his garden is located within the Purgatory Correctional Facility in Utah, where he is an inmate.Gardens Thrive in Unexpected Settings
Tony Perez, an inmate at the Purgatory Correctional Facility in Utah, finds joy in gardening. "It's wonderful to watch it grow from nothing to something," Perez shares, emphasizing how it encourages reflection and planning for the future.
Surprisingly, Perez's garden is inside the correctional facility, transforming what once was a guard dog training area into a vibrant oasis complete with shade tarps, vegetables, fruit trees, and vines. This transformation is part of the inmate management program at Purgatory.
Sergeant Tim Wiegert, inmates, and volunteers spent two weeks preparing the space. Local sources contributed plants, irrigation, fertilizer, shade covers, concrete, and expert advice from the state university to support the effort.
The garden teaches responsibility and skills. Initially, three inmates, including Perez, joined the garden crew. Others have shown interest, and Perez has even been offered a job at a local nursery post-release. This fall, the inmates plan to grow pumpkins to donate to local elementary schools for Halloween festivities, an idea suggested by an inmate. "I'm impressed to see the inmates get involved," Wiegert commented.
A Growing Trend in Correctional Facilities
Purgatory isn’t alone in implementing gardening programs. During World War I, the Ruhleben P.O.W. camp in Germany had its own gardening club, eventually affiliated with Britain’s Royal Horticultural Society.
Across the U.S., many correctional institutions have adopted gardening and floral programs with great success. These initiatives not only enhance the environment but also reduce food costs by growing vegetables and generate revenue through local sales, sometimes in partnership with florists.
In Alabama, Elmore County state correction facilities have started similar programs. Inmates cultivate flowers to deliver to nursing homes and services for the elderly. William Kizziah, an inmate gardener, noted, "I've never really started something and carried it all the way through." The Order of St. Dismas, a local ministry, has also established gardens at Tutwiler Prison for Women and plans for another at Staton Correctional Facility nearby.
In Ohio, the Mansfield Correctional Institution operates a horticultural program that supplies plants for beautifying local areas, including schools and Ohio State Patrol Grounds.
In Massachusetts, Barnstable County Jail manages nine greenhouses and a farm, producing and selling 40,000 annuals annually. The farm also grows vegetables, trees, and hay for inmate consumption or donations to food pantries. Profits support inmate programs, like hiring counselors and purchasing educational resources.
Illinois showcases an advanced initiative since 1994, where inmates cultivate over 230 flowerbeds and numerous baskets at the Illinois Fairgrounds. IDOC Director Roger E. Walker Jr. stresses that "such programs benefit communities, assist inmates in re-entering society, and are valuable to taxpayers."
Making a Difference
With support from local volunteers, horticultural experts, and civic backing, these green prison programs are positively impacting both inmates and communities. Sgt. Wiegert notes, "We want to show people what we are doing and how they can benefit." Indeed, gardens and flowers bring brightness and can offer new meaning to life.
Overall, these programs exemplify how gardens can flourish even in the most unlikely places, fostering growth, hope, and new beginnings for many.
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This article can be republished online in its entirety with credit to sources, including: hvjournal.com, rhs.org.uk, imperialoil.ca, montgomeryadvertiser.com, barnstablepatriot.com, and idoc.state.il.us.
Courtesy of [1-800-FLORALS](http://www.800florals.com/), a family florist offering same-day and next-day [flower delivery](http://www.800florals.com/flower-delivery/) across the USA and Canada.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Flowers In Purgatory Gardens in Unlikely Places.
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