FOOD costs could be reduced at Isle of Man Prison this summer due to vegetables being grown on site.
The aim is for the prison, in Jurby, to be self-sufficient in a range of staple crops as a result of a partnership between officers, prisoners and a local charity.
A polytunnel donated by Zero Waste Mann will boost efforts to grow a healthy supply of vegetables such as potatoes, onions, leeks, cucumbers and lettuce.
It is hoped that the prison kitchen will save money by using as much home-grown produce as possible between July and October.
Home Affairs Minister Adrian Earnshaw MHK said: "I wish to thank Zero Waste Mann for supporting such a worthwhile initiative.
"The prison vegetable garden is proving to be a winner on a number of levels.
"As well as reducing costs by growing our own quality food, gardening is a productive activity for prisoners who can develop new skills and work towards a recognised qualification in horticulture."
A group of prison officers and prisoners worked together to launch the garden project last year by digging about 70 vegetable beds within the perimeter wall at Jurby.
Bill Malarkey MHK, the department member with delegated responsibility for the Prison Service, said: "I am very pleased to see this project progressing so well.
"It is one of the key elements of the prison education programme which is so important in supporting the rehabilitation of prisoners."
Last summer some of the first crops at the prison won awards in a local produce show.
Muriel Garland, chair of Zero Waste Mann, said: "Our charity aims to change people's attitudes towards waste and encourage them to see materials as resources to be conserved, reused and recycled.
"We decided to buy a large polytunnel for the Isle of Man prison to enable prisoners to grow some of their own food and make compost, thereby cutting down on packaging, transport and chemical fertilisers that are made from oil.
"The polytunnel provides an interesting physical activity and may even help with employment for prisoners at a later stage.
"The committee of Zero Waste Mann is delighted the project has got off to such a good start and hopes officers and prisoners enjoy eating the results of all their hard work later in the year."
In addition to supplying the kitchens, some of last year's bumper crop of vegetables were used in cookery lessons at the prison and donated to Jurby primary school to auction at its mhelliah.
Principal officer Mike Speers, who has overall responsibility for the vegetable garden, said: "We are very grateful to Zero Waste Mann for its generous assistance and intend to put the polytunnel to good use this spring and summer.
"This project has provided a very meaningful and productive activity for the prisoners and we hope that it will continue to go from strength to strength."
