Incarcerated Gardeners at Eastern Correctional Institution Lend a Green Thumb

WESTOVER, Md. – The garden at Eastern Correctional Institution has yielded almost 10,000 lbs. of produce this year alone. While the fresh fruits and vegetables help fight food insecurity in Somerset County, the program is also planting important seeds in the lives of the incarcerated gardeners, like Edward Gaines.

“It’s taught me more than just gardening.” Said Gaines. “You know, it’s taught me to cope and take things and swallow things and put things aside. Don’t look at everything so serious.”

ECI hosted their annual harvest on Wednesday, Aug. 12. Warden Monika Brittingham says the garden serves a bigger purpose than just tilled soil.

“Really helps. I think, with, you know, reentry and trying to reduce recidivism.” Said Brittingham. “And these guys are going to have something that they can take home, you know, and do you know, they got gardening skills now they can grow vegetables, fruits and things like that. So it’s just something that they can give back to and not only just do here, but also when they return home to their families.”

After the gardeners harvest the crops, the food is donated every Wednesday through the help of the Somerset County Health Department. Prevention Supervisor Elizabeth Justice, says the hard work of the gardeners, does not go unnoticed.

“They take great pride in this.” Said Justice. “And we make it a well known by the people that are coming and receiving the vegetables, where it comes from, that these are the men that are incarcerated at ECI that are growing, they’re out there working in the heat, and, and they are very proud of this. And, and we’re proud of them for doing this as well.”

The partnership will continue until the end of the season in October.