Insight Garden Program

RESULTS

We are an evidence-based program, with a less than 10% recidivism rate (rate of return to prison) which results in the healing of lives, families, and communities. In California alone, our program has saved an estimated $40 million. Additionally, we’ve also conducted two significant research studies examining the impact of a garden on a prison yard as well as the transformative aspects of the program on its participants, including:

  • The Impact of a Garden on the Physical Environment and Social Climate of a Prison Yard at San Quentin State Prison.
  • From Utility to Significance: Exploring Ecological Connection, Ethics and Personal Transformation Through a Gardening and Environmental Literacy Program within San Quentin Prison.

“Incarceration in the US is five times higher than any country in the world. IGP is working to transform the prison system from the inside-out with a proven, replicable curriculum and applied trade in organic gardening. With a less than 10% recidivism rate compared to the U.S. average of greater than 55%, IGP’s success is seen in both the economic reduction of millions in state spending, and in the social benefit of transformed inmates as contributing members in their communities. It is hard to argue or deny the impact IGP has made and is making around the country. This, truly, is the beginning of a new era in criminal justice reform.” 

– Will Hodgman, IGP’s Board Chair