Articles
Horticulture in rehabilitation of inmates
Article number
1121_4
Pages
19 – 26
Language
English
Abstract
Horticulture has been used in rehabilitation and vocational training in Finnish prisons for a long time but its effects on the well-being of inmates has not so far been evaluated. Roots to freedom-project is a nature based rehabilitation project for adult male inmates in Kerava Prison, Finland, in which horticultural activities were offered both in open and closed prison departments in 2013 and 2014. The aim of this study was to document the perceived effects of horticultural activities on coping and psycho-emotional status among inmates participating in Roots to freedom-project during the first implementation year.
Inmates participated in growing plot garden and box garden including a cooking course, or maintenance of the yards during the summer 2013. Participants filled a questionnaire consisting of open ended questions and scaled statements in the beginning of the growing season in May and after it in August by themselves or with the assistance of the staff.
Thirty inmates completed both questionnaires.
Horticulture was reported to activate participants, give opportunities to strengthen self-esteem by using former knowledge and skills and learning new ones, and to increase confidence in coping after release.
Success was experienced and perseverance learned by harvesting crops.
Group activities contributed to the social interaction among inmates, and between inmates and staff.
By positive feedback from others, inmates identified favorable characteristics in themselves which encouraged mutual relationships.
Horticulture seemed to be a mean to execute on-site activities supporting rehabilitation by creating affordances of everyday life in a restricted environment.
Inmates participated in growing plot garden and box garden including a cooking course, or maintenance of the yards during the summer 2013. Participants filled a questionnaire consisting of open ended questions and scaled statements in the beginning of the growing season in May and after it in August by themselves or with the assistance of the staff.
Thirty inmates completed both questionnaires.
Horticulture was reported to activate participants, give opportunities to strengthen self-esteem by using former knowledge and skills and learning new ones, and to increase confidence in coping after release.
Success was experienced and perseverance learned by harvesting crops.
Group activities contributed to the social interaction among inmates, and between inmates and staff.
By positive feedback from others, inmates identified favorable characteristics in themselves which encouraged mutual relationships.
Horticulture seemed to be a mean to execute on-site activities supporting rehabilitation by creating affordances of everyday life in a restricted environment.
Authors
E. Rappe, H. Kajander, J. Vesamäki, A. Malinen
Keywords
gardening, prison, green care, well-being, imprisonment, coping, psycho-emotional well-being
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