LIFE behind bars at the Isle of Man Prison in Jurby may not be quite what you think.

Beyond the five metre security walls in the imposing building in the north of the Island a handful of prisoners have turned their hand to growing vegetables.

Inside the prison walls the decor may be positively dull but the garden outside is simply blooming.

The initiative has cost taxpayers £3,000 to date - the money has come out of the prison budget.

Around 70 vegetable beds have been dug and at the weekend the Isle of Man Prison entered the Sulby Horticultural Show, winning a handful of prizes.

The amount of produce produced has impressed Home Affairs Minister Adrian Earnshaw MHK.

Mr Earnshaw said: "Horticulture studies commenced in March and I think the amount of vegetables so far produced here is a credit to everyone involved.

"You can’t beat homegrown vegetables for their taste and freshness, and the fact prisoners can develop an interest and skill in horticulture is a double benefit.

"I am impressed and I hope the vegetable garden and the level of interest in it continues to develop."

All education at the prison is provided through the Isle of Man College.

Education Manager Judy Jackson said: "It's real practical work and has a qualification attached to it. Prisoners can work towards an AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) award certificate and diploma in horticulture.

"Some of the produce has been used in the prison kitchen and the rest has been given to the Education Department where cookery teacher Simon Tattersall and prisoners have used it in lessons.

"The quality of the produce is excellent."

Vic Smirthwaite - who teaches maths as well as horticulture at the prison - said: "Digging the beds started early this year with the first sowing in March.

"So far we have about 70 beds but I’d hope to see that expand another 200 over the next four to five years.

"We planted the garlic in late March, probably a bit late, but it has produced 150 bulbs so far that can be used in the prison kitchen.

"Our biggest crops are onions, garlic and potatoes. Carrots and courgettes have also been excellent and we’ve had tonnes of peas that we’re still cropping. Sweetcorn was a nightmare and obviously didn’t like it here but the turnips are looking good."

Currently 12 prisoners have chosen to spend a minimum of five half day sessions working in the garden each week.

Principal Officer Mike Speers, who has overall responsibility for the vegetable garden, said: "Its success has been due primarily to the initiative, determination and hard work of these officers as well as the prisoners involved.

"Their team work demonstrates just what is possible in terms of meaningful, productive activity for prisoners.

"It also demonstrates how projects can be set up with minimal resourcing.

"The amount of produce has been quite staggering considering the project was started fairly late in the year and that the ground was very stony and barren.

"The one frustrating thing has been crop timing. Inevitably there were gluts of certain crops at times when catering staff had already ordered in our supplies.

"Next year we hope to overcome this by timetabling seasonal staple crops.

"If we can produce our own potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic and beetroot between July and October, without having to buy them in, this would be a realistic target for year two.

"Our catering staff have commented on the quality of produce supplied so far.

"Naturally, they are keen to subsidise their budget in any way possible in these lean times.

"Prisoners involved in the project have shown great enthusiasm and are now able to pursue a recognised qualification in horticulture.

"The produce is also being used to subsidise the education budget through use in cookery classes. All of this can only be helpful in terms of improving employment prospects for prisoners once they are released."

Home Affairs Minister Adrian Earnshaw MHK (centre) with (from left) horticulture teacher Vic Smirthwaite, prison officer Anne Hughes, education manager Judy Jackson, principal officer Mike Speers and prison governor Alison Gomme in the vegetable garden.

Do you think prisoners should be allowed to enter horticultural shows while behind bars? Or is this a fantastic way to save money and give prisoners something useful to do at the same time?

Let us know your comments by sending us a message in the comment box below.