Correctional Garden Cultivates Inmate Rehabilitation

An Antelope County jailer is planting a seed for good behavior from inmates, thanks to a correctional garden located behind the sheriff’s office.

Jailer Taylor Kester spent Friday afternoon outside the Antelope County Law Enforcement Center in Neligh with four inmates as they planted tomatoes, beans, radishes and a slew of other vegetables.

This marks the second year Kester has led an action team of inmates working in the garden. Kester said only those inmates with good behavior were allowed to volunteer to plant the garden, and positive behavior will be rewarded throughout the summer as inmates water and weed the garden as well.

“This gives them something to do. It’s a great incentive,” Kester said. “They ask me if they can take care of the garden because they want to be outside. It’s a behavior reward. If they are good, they get to come out and help in the garden.”

Of the four inmates helping on Friday, three had prior gardening experience. One even had a horticulture degree and suggested changing the layout of the garden to keep certain vegetables apart for better growing potential.

“This is what I do on the outside. I run a landscape and construction company with my dad,” said the inmate with the horticulture degree. “This makes the days worthwhile rather than sitting around inside. Anytime they give the chance to go outside, everyone wants to take advantage of that.”

Kester said the garden wouldn’t be possible without the support of Thrivent Financial, which donated a $250 Visa gift card the last two years to cover the costs of the garden. That allowed Kester to purchase tools from Bomgaars and plants from Shamrock Nursery.

“Because of Thrivent, I was able to shop locally and get all of the plants right here in town,” she said. “Last year we bought tools with the money, so none of this is coming from taxes or (the) commissary (fund). Everything is coming from Thrivent.”

Kester said besides the behavior reward, the garden also is beneficial because it provides food for the inmates.

“Sadly, so much of food is processed, so this is fresh fruit and vegetables that can be eaten by our inmates and staff,” she said. “And it’s not costing the taxpayers any more money. That’s a win for everybody.”

Another inmate said it was a no-brainer to volunteer to help with the garden. He helped his family in their garden years ago and was happy to have the opportunity to do it again.

“It’s nice to be outside with the fresh air,” the inmate said. “It doesn’t feel like I’m missing the outside so much.”

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