Extraordinary Garden - Local News

Extraordinary Garden

By Luke Simmons & Beatriz Reyna.

A good gardener knows the satisfaction of turning seeds into produce.

In McCook, the prison is turning a garden into therapy and producing amazing results.

This is not an ordinary garden.

And these are not ordinary gardeners.

The workers are prisoners -- inmates at the Work Ethic Camp -- a state correctional facility north of McCook.

Lawrence Matya, Inmate/Gardener, says, “It's just a real good feeling to be out here, and giving back to society and that's giving to all the inmates and offenders at the work ethic camp.”

For John Massie, who is serving a 16 month sentence for committing a felony drug offense, the garden gives him a chance to polish his occupational skills.

John Massie, Inmate/Gardener, says, “It just helps because it keeps me fresh with what I'm doing, I'm a landscaper by trade back home, so it's nice to be able to use the skills I already have and keep up on them.”

Maria Bieker, Unit Case Manager, Work Ethic Camp, says, “It hopefully will give them the motivation to whatever they start in their future endeavors, that they'll be able to complete that. Whether it's their parole, or obtaining employment and maintaining a job when they get out.”

The garden also gives inmates a time to reflect, and look forward to a second chance on life. Lawrence Mataya is currently serving a three year sentence for attempted burglary and possession of a controlled substance.

Matya says, “It's kind of surreal out here, a little meditation for you. Kind of think about where you've been and what you're doing here, and the goals that you have in hand. You take pride in what you do.”

Developed over three years ago, the garden is just one of many programs the inmates are placed in at the Work Ethic Camp, a 180 day facility that gets these non-violent offenders one step closer to reintegrating with society.

Bieker says, “Everyone loves fresh produce, so everyday when they pick their produce for the day they bring it in and they're able to use it in their daily meals. And with the left-overs we donate it to the senior centers, and the pantry, and some of the local things downtown.”

Attached Files: Prison Garden.jpg

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