Accomplishments – Insight Garden Program

Timeline of Accomplishments

Started at San Quentin State Prison under the Insight Prison Project, Fall 2002 (in classroom)
Beth Waitkus begins graduate research project

IGP builds the first organic flower garden on an open prison yard at San Quentin
Beth’s research continues via pre-and post garden interviews with participants and staff

Agape Foundation becomes fiscal sponsor, and officially the garden program becomes the “Insight Garden Program”
Beth completes graduate thesis research, “Impact of a Garden on the Physical Environment and Social Climate of a Prison Yard at San Quentin State Prison”

Classes continue at San Quentin continue on H-Unit, ongoing every Friday
For three years in a row, the IGP co-hosts with the IPP Northern California’s “Young President’s Organization” bringing more than 50 local CEOs and their wives to visit the programs
Marin Independent Journal publishes the first feature print article about IGP, “Cultivating Dreams” by Beth Ashley

SF Chronicle published article “Behind the Garden Wall: Some at San Quentin are Digging their way out of Prison” by Noelle Robbins
IGP is featured in Coastal Gardener TV Show (35M viewers nationwide), “Inside San Quentin Prison, a Garden Grows Hearts and Minds”

Planting Justice begins collaboration with IGP as reentry partner
IGP is featured in KQED’s California Report
In collaboration with the California Reentry Program, the IGP co-hosts the first Green Career Fair in a California State prison and Contra Costa Times publishes article: “California Inmates See Green During Job Fair” by Mark Prado
IGP presents to Marin Academy and recruits students to do internships

Beth featured in book: EcoAmazons – 20 Women Who are Transforming the World by Dorka Keehn
Collaboration begins between IGP, Planting Justice and Rubicon Programs for Transitional Eco-Reentry Program

San Quentin Warden approves vegetable garden and plans begin for implementation
IGP co-hosts another Green Career fair with California Reentry Program, featured in Marin Independent Journal and SF Chronicle article, “What it Means to be Green In Prison” by Leah Garchik

Conversations begin with Solano State prison for first program replication
Beth wins Hotchkiss School Community Service Award
IGP and Planting Justice build the vegetable garden at San Quentin
IGP is featured on ABC News with Diane Sawyer in segment, “America Strong” and Huffington Post includes IGP in article as “One of the Most Amazing Prison Stories of 2013”
Long-term replication planning begins
Beth speaks for the first time at the American Correctional Association Conference in Tampa, FL (and twice a year ongoing)
After an eight-month approval process, approvals begin for Lisa Benham’s graduate research project about the impact of environmental programming on personal values

IGP receives start-up funding, and 501c3 non-profit status is obtained
CA State Senator Loni Hancock an Assembly member Reggie Jones Sawyer (along with CDCR officials from Sacramento) visit the IGP at San Quentin
IGP and Planting Justice donate first vegetable garden harvest to Marin Community Food Bank
Programming starts at Solano State Prison in Vacaville, CA
IGP begins curriculum redesign for replication
Lisa Benham completes research study “From Utility to Significance: Exploring Ecological Connections, Ethics, and Personal Transformation through a Gardening and Environmental Literacy Program at San Quentin State Prison”

CSP-SOL garden installed
Curriculum revisions completed, resulting in a year’s worth of lesson plans
IGP expands staffing and volunteers to accommodate prison expansion
With CDCR funding, IGP launches program on CSP-LAC, Yard B as well as CMF
IGP is mentioned in several media outlets, including The Washington Post, Psychology Today, and Huffington Post Live

Partnership with Hawthorne Valley Farms and Bard Prison Initiative in New York begins to serve people in reentry with IGP curriculum
In Indiana, IGP launches programs at first juvenile facility (LJCF), and Indiana State Prison
Garden is installed at CMF
IGP launches program at CSP-LAC Yard A and California Health Care Facility
Through Kalliopeia Foundation, IGP joins collaborative Transformative Prison Workgroup (TPW)

Garden installed at CSP-LAC Yard A
Beth testifies about “Greening Prisons: Reinvestment in People and Programs” before Senate Subcommittee #5 on Corrections, Public Safety and the Judiciary
Gardens are built in Indiana facilities, as well as CDCF in California
IGP launches new programs at Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF), and Folsom Women’s Facility (FWF), as well as Avenal State Prison in the Central Valley
Through CalEPA Grant, IGP and men in reentry do environmental stewardship community projects
Insight Garden Program Turns 15!!!