Insight Garden Program  

Overview

FAQs

Program
Accomplishments

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"Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders."
— Henry David Thoreau

Program Accomplishments

Key Stakeholder Engagement

IGP has developed relationships with key stakeholders in the prison system to build the garden through a participatory, collaborative, and transparent planning process. This effort resulted in extraordinary access to prison officials, prisoners, volunteers, and staff.

Garden Implementation

A 1,200-square foot native California organic flower garden was planted in a medium-security prison yard during Winter Solstice, December 2003, with the help of inmate program participants, volunteer landscape and gardening experts and the program director. The prison's staff was also on hand to assist with inventories and process oversight.

Ongoing Classes

For more than four years, classes have been ongoing, and include course curricula and hands-on experience. Inmates learn about gardening and landscaping basics, environmental sustainability, personal growth, and community care through gardening. Class participants are responsible for maintaining the garden.

Extensive Research

IGP's director, Beth Waitkus, conducted extensive research on the "Impact of a Garden on the Physical Environment and Social Climate of a Prison Yard at San Quentin State Prison" as part of her graduate research work in Organization Development. The resulting thesis has been one of the only research projects conducted on a San Quentin rehabilitation program (for a small fee, the thesis is available upon request).

Fundraising and Presentations

The program raised its first funds through individual donations. The Agape Foundation awarded IGP its first grant in 2006. IGP's director has also had the opportunity to make a presentation to graduate school peers about "The Art of Balance at San Quentin State Prison — Aligning Values, Purpose and Faith." That presentation has led to the outline for a book she intends to write about stories from the garden.

Partnerships

After facilitating several classes at UC Davis' Agriculture and Environment Law Program about the need for rehabilitation, as well as participation in a Criminal Justice Forum, IGP's director is currently working with graduate-level students at the university. These volunteers are conducting research on funding opportunities, potential agriculture and environment connections at other universities, and are exploring employment opportunities in gardening, landscaping, and "green jobs" for men leaving prison. IGP also remains closely affiliated with the Insight Prison Project — our initial parent orginization — as well as other community organizations, and leaders in prison reform and prisoner rehabilitation.

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Class appreciation day, July 2005.

"Being tough on crime means that as community members, we have a responsibility to work with those who violate community norms to promote education, transformation and public safety."
— Jacques Verduin, Insight Prison Project

Media Coverage
 

©2006-7 Insight Garden Program.
For more information contact:
Beth Waitkus, Program Director
at 415-730-6301, beth@insideoutresults.com
or click to make a donation.

Photo by John Kokoska.