By Sarah Roebuck
Corrections1
GREEN BAY, Wis. — A garden at a Wisconsin jail is making a positive impact by benefiting both the local community and the inmates involved.
The Brown County Sheriff’s Office said in the spring of 2024, the Brown County Jail embarked on an inspiring project with the Brown County Community Gardens to create a jail garden.
This initiative, made possible by the support of the Green Bay Packers Give Back program, brought 10 raised beds to life within the jail’s courtyard. The project not only supplies fresh vegetables to local food pantries but also provides inmates with valuable horticultural training.
The program, led by BCCG Coordinator Rachel Quintas and Jail Captain Heidi Michel, focuses on providing inmates an opportunity to be productive, increase self-esteem, reduce stress, develop patience and give back to the community.
The program aims to enhance skill development while also working to reduce recidivism rates, the Brown County Sheriff’s Office said.
On August 15, the group celebrated their first harvest, including tomatoes, cabbages, collard greens, lettuce, basil and thyme, which were donated to Paul’s Pantry, a local organization serving over 5,000 families.
