San Quentin State Prison Garden

We are working with the Insight Garden Program (IGP) at San Quentin State Prison inside the medium security unit to provide inmates with job-training skills they can use upon their release.  We teach a course on urban permaculture and organic food production to the 30 men enrolled in the IGP course, and they are involved in the planning, design, implementation, and maintenance of their native plant and flower garden.

In collaboration with IGP, Planting Justice started a post-release job placement program that gives former inmates the opportunity to work at our nurseries and through our Transform your Yard program. In January 2011 we hired Jeff Rutland, who transitioned into full-time employment with Urban Tilth in Richmond in July 2011. In September 2011, we hired Anthony Forrest, who transitioned into full-time employment with Gardener's Guild, Inc in January 2012. We currently have Quincy Hilliard, Lance Harris, and Kevin Williams on our Transform your Yard landscaping team!

Be sure to check out the attachments at the bottom of this page. On January 22, 2010, Planting Justice helped to facilitate a group discussion and reflection about the personal and vocational benefits of the Insight Garden Program and its garden. Also attached is a poem about Planting Justice written by John Patrick, one of the Insight Garden Program participants at San Quentin State prison.

Check out the Insight Garden Program's website: http://www.insightgardenprogram.org/