| Columbia County Sheriff's Office |
David W. Harrison, Jr., SHERIFF James R. Sweet, UNDERSHERIFF
| Copyright ©2006 Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Hudson, NY 12534 |
SHERIFF ANNOUNCES INMATE HORTICULTURAL PROGRAM
May 21, 2009
Hudson, NY Sheriff David Harrison, Jr. announces a new inmate program at the Columbia County Jail. The
Sheriff said that his jail staff have implemented an Inmate Horticulture Program which includes gardening, composting
and general horticultural lessons, as well as the opportunity to participate in actually growing vegetables in a secure
area in the facility compound; based on each inmates security classification and institutional record.
Sheriff Harrison said that Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Columbia County has provided Master
Gardener Volunteers for instruction of the lessons and guidance on the actual growing of vegetables. Inmates have
participated in the clearing, tilling and planting of the garden, which began on May 1, 2009.
The vegetables planted include, Tomatoes, Peppers, Squash, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cucumbers, Green & Yellow
Beans, Rosemary, Parsley, Basil and Lettuce. Any vegetables harvested will be used in the jail for inmate meals.
The Sheriff said that there is no cost to the county for the program and may even save a small amount in food costs.
The program gives an option to inmates to participate in a program that teaches a skill that can be used when not in
jail. It is believed that there are less then five other county jails in NY State that currently provide this type of
program, which is allowed by the NYS Commission of Corrections.
The Sheriff said, “This is one option for those incarcerated in our jail to learn something that can be used as a work
opportunity or in their private live when released.”
The Sheriff thanks Stephen Hadcock and Donna Peterson from Cornell University Cooperative Extension, Brian and
Sue Geel from ACP (Air Compressor Plus) in Ghent who donated a Rototiller for a day and Captain John Davi and
Correction Officers Dan Tompkins and John Leone for their work in implementing the program.
May 21, 2009
Hudson, NY Sheriff David Harrison, Jr. announces a new inmate program at the Columbia County Jail. The
Sheriff said that his jail staff have implemented an Inmate Horticulture Program which includes gardening, composting
and general horticultural lessons, as well as the opportunity to participate in actually growing vegetables in a secure
area in the facility compound; based on each inmates security classification and institutional record.
Sheriff Harrison said that Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Columbia County has provided Master
Gardener Volunteers for instruction of the lessons and guidance on the actual growing of vegetables. Inmates have
participated in the clearing, tilling and planting of the garden, which began on May 1, 2009.
The vegetables planted include, Tomatoes, Peppers, Squash, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cucumbers, Green & Yellow
Beans, Rosemary, Parsley, Basil and Lettuce. Any vegetables harvested will be used in the jail for inmate meals.
The Sheriff said that there is no cost to the county for the program and may even save a small amount in food costs.
The program gives an option to inmates to participate in a program that teaches a skill that can be used when not in
jail. It is believed that there are less then five other county jails in NY State that currently provide this type of
program, which is allowed by the NYS Commission of Corrections.
The Sheriff said, “This is one option for those incarcerated in our jail to learn something that can be used as a work
opportunity or in their private live when released.”
The Sheriff thanks Stephen Hadcock and Donna Peterson from Cornell University Cooperative Extension, Brian and
Sue Geel from ACP (Air Compressor Plus) in Ghent who donated a Rototiller for a day and Captain John Davi and
Correction Officers Dan Tompkins and John Leone for their work in implementing the program.
Photo by Lance Wheeler