Prisons Going Green

By: Anne Consroe

As prison populations continue to rise in the United States, correctional facilities strive to find ways to cut costs. In 2007, states spent more than $49 billion to feed, house, clothe, treat, and supervise offenders. From water boilers that run on waste wood chips, wind turbines that save thousands of dollars in electricity a year, and solar panels that generate enough electricity to power 4100 homes a year, prisons across the country are finding ways to reduce waste and environmental impact, while conserving energy and water.

Some facilities have switched to chemical-free cleaners, vegetable-based inks, and geothermal wells to heat water. They have started recycling containers for rainwater conservation and switching to energy efficient appliances and solar water heaters.

Many inmates in correctional facilities across the country participate in a work program, putting in six to eight hours a day working in sustainable living programs. Inmates have the opportunity to tend to organic gardens, supplying the facility with thousands of pounds of vegetables a year. Compost systems use 100% of food waste. Inmates also raise bees and recycle shoe scraps into playground turf.

Such sustainable programs not only benefit the environment and the facility, but also provide inmates with valuable education and life skills. Sustainable programs and workshops stimulate their minds and expand potential.