The study mapped over 100 horticultural projects in UK prisons and secure psychiatric facilities to understand benefits and challenges. It found that projects provided rehabilitation, learning, and job skills. Participants experienced mental health benefits from fresh air, exercise, and stress relief. However, security concerns and lack of support posed obstacles. The report calls for further research on integrating horticultural training into employment pathways to reduce recidivism.
How Does Taking Part in a Community Allotment Group Affect the Everyday Lives, Self Perception and Social Inclusion of Participants
`
For more information, Please see websites below:
`
Organic Edible Schoolyards & Gardening with Children =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851214 ~
`
Double Food Production from your School Garden with Organic Tech =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851079 ~
`
Free School Gardening Art Posters =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159 ~
`
Increase Food Production with Companion Planting in your School Garden =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159 ~
`
Healthy Foods Dramatically Improves Student Academic Success =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851348 ~
`
City Chickens for your Organic School Garden =
http://scribd.com/doc/239850440 ~
`
Simple Square Foot Gardening for Schools - Teacher Guide =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851110 ~
Are you certain you know how Minnesota employers feel about the most important issues facing the state? For the 9th consecutive
year, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Himle Rapp & Company to conduct the Business Barometer, a comprehensive look into the opinions and concerns of Minnesota business owners and managers. Join us to learn what business is saying and don't be shy about asking for the stories behind the survey results.
Todd Rapp, president, Himle Rapp & Company
Connecting the Dots to Promote Brands and RevenueAdreka
Facilitate the convergence of all media to grow audiences and engage with them in meaningful ways to create loyal participatory relationships that Drives Revenue!
How Does Taking Part in a Community Allotment Group Affect the Everyday Lives, Self Perception and Social Inclusion of Participants
`
For more information, Please see websites below:
`
Organic Edible Schoolyards & Gardening with Children =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851214 ~
`
Double Food Production from your School Garden with Organic Tech =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851079 ~
`
Free School Gardening Art Posters =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159 ~
`
Increase Food Production with Companion Planting in your School Garden =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159 ~
`
Healthy Foods Dramatically Improves Student Academic Success =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851348 ~
`
City Chickens for your Organic School Garden =
http://scribd.com/doc/239850440 ~
`
Simple Square Foot Gardening for Schools - Teacher Guide =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851110 ~
Are you certain you know how Minnesota employers feel about the most important issues facing the state? For the 9th consecutive
year, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Himle Rapp & Company to conduct the Business Barometer, a comprehensive look into the opinions and concerns of Minnesota business owners and managers. Join us to learn what business is saying and don't be shy about asking for the stories behind the survey results.
Todd Rapp, president, Himle Rapp & Company
Connecting the Dots to Promote Brands and RevenueAdreka
Facilitate the convergence of all media to grow audiences and engage with them in meaningful ways to create loyal participatory relationships that Drives Revenue!
WORKING WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS AS ‘VOLUNTEERS’IN A VA.docxdunnramage
WORKING WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS AS ‘VOLUNTEERS’
IN A VACCINE TRIAL: PRACTICAL AND ETHICAL EXPERIENCES
AND IMPLICATIONS
VIBIAN ANGWENYI, DORCAS KAMUYA, DOROTHY MWACHIRO, VICKI MARSH,
PATRICIA NJUGUNA AND SASSY MOLYNEUX
Keywords
developing world bioethics,
research ethics,
informed consent,
clinical trials,
sub-Saharan Africa
ABSTRACT
Community engagement is increasingly emphasized in biomedical research,
as a right in itself, and to strengthen ethical practice. We draw on interviews
and observations to consider the practical and ethical implications of involv-
ing Community Health Workers (CHWs) as part of a community engagement
strategy for a vaccine trial on the Kenyan Coast. CHWs were initially engaged
as an important network to be informed about the trial. However over time,
and in response to community advice, they became involved in trial informa-
tion sharing and identifying potential participants; thereby taking on roles that
overlapped with those of employed fieldworkers (FWs). While CHWs involve-
ment was generally perceived as positive and appreciated, there were chal-
lenges in their relations with FWs and other community members, partly
related to levels and forms of remuneration. Specifically, payment of CHWs
was not as high as for FWs and was based on ‘performance’. This extrinsic
motivation had the potential to crowd out CHWs intrinsic motivation to
perform their pre-existing community roles. CHWs remuneration potentially
also contributed to CHWs distorting trial information to encourage community
members to participate; and to researchers encouraging CHWs to utilize their
social connections and status to increase the numbers of people who
attended information giving sessions. Individual consent processes were
protected in this trial through final information sharing and consent being
conducted by trained clinical staff who were not embedded in study commu-
nities. However, our experiences suggest that roles and remuneration of all
front line staff and volunteers involved in trials need careful consideration
from the outset, and monitoring and discussion over time.
BACKGROUND
Community engagement is increasingly emphasized as
central to biomedical research in international settings,
both as a right in itself, and as a means to uphold ethical
principles, enhance protection and benefits, create legiti-
macy, share responsibility between researchers and com-
munities, and strengthen science.1 Communities can
potentially be involved in a broad range of research activi-
ties, from protocol development, to research conduct,
reviewing access to data and samples, and dissemination
or publication of research findings. Community members
are also often employed in research studies to simultane-
ously recruit, and conduct research processes such as
interviews and simple study procedures. Less commonly
community members may also recruit participants as part
1 E. Emanuel, et al. What makes clinical research in developing coun-
t.
Measuring Cultures of Responsibility in the Life Sciences – Daniel GreeneCatalyst Biosummit
This is a presentation by Daniel Greene of the Center for International Security and Cooperation on "Measuring Cultures of Responsibility in the Life Sciences."
Study of the Impacts of Gardening to Older People: Wan Golden Organic Farming Project
`
For more information, Please see websites below:
`
Organic Edible Schoolyards & Gardening with Children
http://scribd.com/doc/239851214
`
Double Food Production from your School Garden with Organic Tech
http://scribd.com/doc/239851079
`
Free School Gardening Art Posters
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159`
`
Increase Food Production with Companion Planting in your School Garden
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159
`
Healthy Foods Dramatically Improves Student Academic Success
http://scribd.com/doc/239851348
`
City Chickens for your Organic School Garden
http://scribd.com/doc/239850440
`
Simple Square Foot Gardening for Schools - Teacher Guide
http://scribd.com/doc/239851110
WORKING WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS AS ‘VOLUNTEERS’IN A VA.docxdunnramage
WORKING WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS AS ‘VOLUNTEERS’
IN A VACCINE TRIAL: PRACTICAL AND ETHICAL EXPERIENCES
AND IMPLICATIONS
VIBIAN ANGWENYI, DORCAS KAMUYA, DOROTHY MWACHIRO, VICKI MARSH,
PATRICIA NJUGUNA AND SASSY MOLYNEUX
Keywords
developing world bioethics,
research ethics,
informed consent,
clinical trials,
sub-Saharan Africa
ABSTRACT
Community engagement is increasingly emphasized in biomedical research,
as a right in itself, and to strengthen ethical practice. We draw on interviews
and observations to consider the practical and ethical implications of involv-
ing Community Health Workers (CHWs) as part of a community engagement
strategy for a vaccine trial on the Kenyan Coast. CHWs were initially engaged
as an important network to be informed about the trial. However over time,
and in response to community advice, they became involved in trial informa-
tion sharing and identifying potential participants; thereby taking on roles that
overlapped with those of employed fieldworkers (FWs). While CHWs involve-
ment was generally perceived as positive and appreciated, there were chal-
lenges in their relations with FWs and other community members, partly
related to levels and forms of remuneration. Specifically, payment of CHWs
was not as high as for FWs and was based on ‘performance’. This extrinsic
motivation had the potential to crowd out CHWs intrinsic motivation to
perform their pre-existing community roles. CHWs remuneration potentially
also contributed to CHWs distorting trial information to encourage community
members to participate; and to researchers encouraging CHWs to utilize their
social connections and status to increase the numbers of people who
attended information giving sessions. Individual consent processes were
protected in this trial through final information sharing and consent being
conducted by trained clinical staff who were not embedded in study commu-
nities. However, our experiences suggest that roles and remuneration of all
front line staff and volunteers involved in trials need careful consideration
from the outset, and monitoring and discussion over time.
BACKGROUND
Community engagement is increasingly emphasized as
central to biomedical research in international settings,
both as a right in itself, and as a means to uphold ethical
principles, enhance protection and benefits, create legiti-
macy, share responsibility between researchers and com-
munities, and strengthen science.1 Communities can
potentially be involved in a broad range of research activi-
ties, from protocol development, to research conduct,
reviewing access to data and samples, and dissemination
or publication of research findings. Community members
are also often employed in research studies to simultane-
ously recruit, and conduct research processes such as
interviews and simple study procedures. Less commonly
community members may also recruit participants as part
1 E. Emanuel, et al. What makes clinical research in developing coun-
t.
Measuring Cultures of Responsibility in the Life Sciences – Daniel GreeneCatalyst Biosummit
This is a presentation by Daniel Greene of the Center for International Security and Cooperation on "Measuring Cultures of Responsibility in the Life Sciences."
Study of the Impacts of Gardening to Older People: Wan Golden Organic Farming Project
`
For more information, Please see websites below:
`
Organic Edible Schoolyards & Gardening with Children
http://scribd.com/doc/239851214
`
Double Food Production from your School Garden with Organic Tech
http://scribd.com/doc/239851079
`
Free School Gardening Art Posters
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159`
`
Increase Food Production with Companion Planting in your School Garden
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159
`
Healthy Foods Dramatically Improves Student Academic Success
http://scribd.com/doc/239851348
`
City Chickens for your Organic School Garden
http://scribd.com/doc/239850440
`
Simple Square Foot Gardening for Schools - Teacher Guide
http://scribd.com/doc/239851110
In his public lecture, Christian Timmerer provides insights into the fascinating history of video streaming, starting from its humble beginnings before YouTube to the groundbreaking technologies that now dominate platforms like Netflix and ORF ON. Timmerer also presents provocative contributions of his own that have significantly influenced the industry. He concludes by looking at future challenges and invites the audience to join in a discussion.
The Art of the Pitch: WordPress Relationships and SalesLaura Byrne
Clients don’t know what they don’t know. What web solutions are right for them? How does WordPress come into the picture? How do you make sure you understand scope and timeline? What do you do if sometime changes?
All these questions and more will be explored as we talk about matching clients’ needs with what your agency offers without pulling teeth or pulling your hair out. Practical tips, and strategies for successful relationship building that leads to closing the deal.
Maruthi Prithivirajan, Head of ASEAN & IN Solution Architecture, Neo4j
Get an inside look at the latest Neo4j innovations that enable relationship-driven intelligence at scale. Learn more about the newest cloud integrations and product enhancements that make Neo4j an essential choice for developers building apps with interconnected data and generative AI.
Why You Should Replace Windows 11 with Nitrux Linux 3.5.0 for enhanced perfor...SOFTTECHHUB
The choice of an operating system plays a pivotal role in shaping our computing experience. For decades, Microsoft's Windows has dominated the market, offering a familiar and widely adopted platform for personal and professional use. However, as technological advancements continue to push the boundaries of innovation, alternative operating systems have emerged, challenging the status quo and offering users a fresh perspective on computing.
One such alternative that has garnered significant attention and acclaim is Nitrux Linux 3.5.0, a sleek, powerful, and user-friendly Linux distribution that promises to redefine the way we interact with our devices. With its focus on performance, security, and customization, Nitrux Linux presents a compelling case for those seeking to break free from the constraints of proprietary software and embrace the freedom and flexibility of open-source computing.
GridMate - End to end testing is a critical piece to ensure quality and avoid...ThomasParaiso2
End to end testing is a critical piece to ensure quality and avoid regressions. In this session, we share our journey building an E2E testing pipeline for GridMate components (LWC and Aura) using Cypress, JSForce, FakerJS…
Sudheer Mechineni, Head of Application Frameworks, Standard Chartered Bank
Discover how Standard Chartered Bank harnessed the power of Neo4j to transform complex data access challenges into a dynamic, scalable graph database solution. This keynote will cover their journey from initial adoption to deploying a fully automated, enterprise-grade causal cluster, highlighting key strategies for modelling organisational changes and ensuring robust disaster recovery. Learn how these innovations have not only enhanced Standard Chartered Bank’s data infrastructure but also positioned them as pioneers in the banking sector’s adoption of graph technology.
Unlocking Productivity: Leveraging the Potential of Copilot in Microsoft 365, a presentation by Christoforos Vlachos, Senior Solutions Manager – Modern Workplace, Uni Systems
Securing your Kubernetes cluster_ a step-by-step guide to success !KatiaHIMEUR1
Today, after several years of existence, an extremely active community and an ultra-dynamic ecosystem, Kubernetes has established itself as the de facto standard in container orchestration. Thanks to a wide range of managed services, it has never been so easy to set up a ready-to-use Kubernetes cluster.
However, this ease of use means that the subject of security in Kubernetes is often left for later, or even neglected. This exposes companies to significant risks.
In this talk, I'll show you step-by-step how to secure your Kubernetes cluster for greater peace of mind and reliability.
Enchancing adoption of Open Source Libraries. A case study on Albumentations.AIVladimir Iglovikov, Ph.D.
Presented by Vladimir Iglovikov:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/iglovikov/
- https://x.com/viglovikov
- https://www.instagram.com/ternaus/
This presentation delves into the journey of Albumentations.ai, a highly successful open-source library for data augmentation.
Created out of a necessity for superior performance in Kaggle competitions, Albumentations has grown to become a widely used tool among data scientists and machine learning practitioners.
This case study covers various aspects, including:
People: The contributors and community that have supported Albumentations.
Metrics: The success indicators such as downloads, daily active users, GitHub stars, and financial contributions.
Challenges: The hurdles in monetizing open-source projects and measuring user engagement.
Development Practices: Best practices for creating, maintaining, and scaling open-source libraries, including code hygiene, CI/CD, and fast iteration.
Community Building: Strategies for making adoption easy, iterating quickly, and fostering a vibrant, engaged community.
Marketing: Both online and offline marketing tactics, focusing on real, impactful interactions and collaborations.
Mental Health: Maintaining balance and not feeling pressured by user demands.
Key insights include the importance of automation, making the adoption process seamless, and leveraging offline interactions for marketing. The presentation also emphasizes the need for continuous small improvements and building a friendly, inclusive community that contributes to the project's growth.
Vladimir Iglovikov brings his extensive experience as a Kaggle Grandmaster, ex-Staff ML Engineer at Lyft, sharing valuable lessons and practical advice for anyone looking to enhance the adoption of their open-source projects.
Explore more about Albumentations and join the community at:
GitHub: https://github.com/albumentations-team/albumentations
Website: https://albumentations.ai/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/100504475
Twitter: https://x.com/albumentations
UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series, part 6DianaGray10
Welcome to UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series part 6. In this session, we will cover Test Automation with generative AI and Open AI.
UiPath Test Automation with generative AI and Open AI webinar offers an in-depth exploration of leveraging cutting-edge technologies for test automation within the UiPath platform. Attendees will delve into the integration of generative AI, a test automation solution, with Open AI advanced natural language processing capabilities.
Throughout the session, participants will discover how this synergy empowers testers to automate repetitive tasks, enhance testing accuracy, and expedite the software testing life cycle. Topics covered include the seamless integration process, practical use cases, and the benefits of harnessing AI-driven automation for UiPath testing initiatives. By attending this webinar, testers, and automation professionals can gain valuable insights into harnessing the power of AI to optimize their test automation workflows within the UiPath ecosystem, ultimately driving efficiency and quality in software development processes.
What will you get from this session?
1. Insights into integrating generative AI.
2. Understanding how this integration enhances test automation within the UiPath platform
3. Practical demonstrations
4. Exploration of real-world use cases illustrating the benefits of AI-driven test automation for UiPath
Topics covered:
What is generative AI
Test Automation with generative AI and Open AI.
UiPath integration with generative AI
Speaker:
Deepak Rai, Automation Practice Lead, Boundaryless Group and UiPath MVP
GraphRAG is All You need? LLM & Knowledge GraphGuy Korland
Guy Korland, CEO and Co-founder of FalkorDB, will review two articles on the integration of language models with knowledge graphs.
1. Unifying Large Language Models and Knowledge Graphs: A Roadmap.
https://arxiv.org/abs/2306.08302
2. Microsoft Research's GraphRAG paper and a review paper on various uses of knowledge graphs:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/blog/graphrag-unlocking-llm-discovery-on-narrative-private-data/
Threats to mobile devices are more prevalent and increasing in scope and complexity. Users of mobile devices desire to take full advantage of the features
available on those devices, but many of the features provide convenience and capability but sacrifice security. This best practices guide outlines steps the users can take to better protect personal devices and information.
Pushing the limits of ePRTC: 100ns holdover for 100 daysAdtran
At WSTS 2024, Alon Stern explored the topic of parametric holdover and explained how recent research findings can be implemented in real-world PNT networks to achieve 100 nanoseconds of accuracy for up to 100 days.
Alt. GDG Cloud Southlake #33: Boule & Rebala: Effective AppSec in SDLC using ...James Anderson
Effective Application Security in Software Delivery lifecycle using Deployment Firewall and DBOM
The modern software delivery process (or the CI/CD process) includes many tools, distributed teams, open-source code, and cloud platforms. Constant focus on speed to release software to market, along with the traditional slow and manual security checks has caused gaps in continuous security as an important piece in the software supply chain. Today organizations feel more susceptible to external and internal cyber threats due to the vast attack surface in their applications supply chain and the lack of end-to-end governance and risk management.
The software team must secure its software delivery process to avoid vulnerability and security breaches. This needs to be achieved with existing tool chains and without extensive rework of the delivery processes. This talk will present strategies and techniques for providing visibility into the true risk of the existing vulnerabilities, preventing the introduction of security issues in the software, resolving vulnerabilities in production environments quickly, and capturing the deployment bill of materials (DBOM).
Speakers:
Bob Boule
Robert Boule is a technology enthusiast with PASSION for technology and making things work along with a knack for helping others understand how things work. He comes with around 20 years of solution engineering experience in application security, software continuous delivery, and SaaS platforms. He is known for his dynamic presentations in CI/CD and application security integrated in software delivery lifecycle.
Gopinath Rebala
Gopinath Rebala is the CTO of OpsMx, where he has overall responsibility for the machine learning and data processing architectures for Secure Software Delivery. Gopi also has a strong connection with our customers, leading design and architecture for strategic implementations. Gopi is a frequent speaker and well-known leader in continuous delivery and integrating security into software delivery.
Alt. GDG Cloud Southlake #33: Boule & Rebala: Effective AppSec in SDLC using ...
Pdfversion 0 29 1
1. Horticulture in secure settings
A study exploring social and therapeutic horticultural activities
in prisons and secure psychiatric facilities in the United Kingdom
Horticulture has been used over a long period as a form of activity and
occupation within secure settings1. However little has been written about its
potential value and any benefits in this environment. In 2002 Thrive
commissioned the first study into the issues facing horticultural projects
operating in secure settings. As a first step in exploring this area of activity the
study had four primary aims, to:
1. Map horticultural projects operating in secure environments around the UK
2. Investigate the benefits and problems experienced by practitioners and user
of the horticultural services
3. Examine the issues facing practitioners managing and operating horticultural
projects
4. Identify specific needs of practitioners operating horticultural projects within
the secure environment.
The study collected data from 104 horticultural projects, their staff and
participants, highlighting the benefits and challenges of participating in
horticultural activities within prisons and secure psychiatric facilities across the
UK. Some of the findings from the report highlighted the fact that:
· Projects varied greatly in size, the scope and nature, from very basic land
clearing to extensive landscaping and commercial based production units
· The majority of horticultural projects had been set up within the last five
years, demonstrating a growth of interest in horticulture and its potential
within secure settings
· Results clearly indicated a balance between the use of commercial and
amenity horticultural activities and the benefits these activities can provide
for rehabilitation, learning and progressional opportunities for participants in
the future
· Training provision at horticultural projects ranged from informal learning to
participants achieving accredited qualifications
· One of the emerging themes of the research was the need for staff in
secure settings to have qualifications and improved skills, specifically in the
delivery of horticultural activities and the management of horticulture
projects
Principal researchers
· Overall the participation of people in horticultural activities within a secure of the study
setting is thought to be very significant specifically providing a high degree commissioned by
of educational, occupational, health, social and rehabilitative benefits. Thrive, written by
the Centre for Crime
and Justice Studies,
Gathering the evidence Kings College,
London:
The research was undertaken in three stages comprising of benchmarking, Dr Roger Grimshaw
mapping and an investigation of horticulture projects within prisons and secure Jackie King
psychiatric centres. The benchmarking element of the project involved the
writing of a literature review and structured telephone interviews with managers
and specialists about key issues affecting projects. The mapping exercise was
conducted between May and July 2002 via a survey of projects and institutions
within HM Prison Service, the NHS and privately funded psychiatric services. Thrive
The investigation of projects was based on the 104 returned questionnaires, and
comprised of telephone interviews, with project practitioners and face to face Briefing
interviews with practitioners and participants at projects within secure settings.
Sheet no:
1
Within this document the term ‘secure setting’ refers to all environments, that are separate from
the open community which contain and support people who are either a risk to themselves or to the
public. For example institutions and services within HM Prisons Service, the NHS, and privately
funded psychiatric services.
5
2. Outcomes from the study
A primary aim of the study was to investigate the benefits of participation in
horticultural activities by people contained within secure accommodation.
Where to find more Whether it is in a prison or a hospital, the secure environment is extremely
evidence influential in determining the horticultural activities that can be carried out, the
number of participants involved, the project’s operational requirements and
Relf, D. and Dorn, S. outcomes. The results of the survey indicate that rehabilitation and personal
(1994) “Horticulture: development are the two main functions of horticultural activity in secure
Meeting the Needs of settings. Work skills training and social development were the next two most
Special Populations” at frequently cited functions. As would be expected, rehabilitation and the
www.hort.vt.edu/human therapeutic benefits of horticulture were more frequently raised within the
/HortTher1.html hospital setting than in the prison context.
Many of the findings from the study highlight the importance that horticulture
Stone-Rice, J. and plays in participant’s lives within the secure environment: I think it makes me
Remy, L. (1994) feel higher, and I think it gives you a chance to be away from the ward and it
“Evaluating Horticultural makes you feel a bit better. The ward is noisy (hospital participant).
Therapy: The Ecological
Context of Urban Jail The survey found that the educational, occupational and rehabilitative benefits of
Inmates” in J. Flager, participation in horticultural activities were significant. And respondents from
R.P. Poincelot (eds.), both hospitals and prisons listed improving relationships between participants,
People-Plant integrating with the community, life skills, and ownership as being some of the
Relationships: Setting real benefits to participants. It was also noted that fresh air, fitness and weight
Research Priorities (Food control were among benefits that should also not be overlooked. Interviews
Products Press: NY), yielded several examples of projects that paid attention to training and the
pp.203-224. promotion of expression of ideas, integrating literacy and numeracy skills, work
and life skills training. Psychological benefits of participation highlighted by
Stone-Rice, J. Remy, L. practitioners included: When you take some really rough and big prisoners who
and Whittlesea, L. are doing some very careful tasks like pruning or potting up or pricking out, the
(1998) “Substance prisoners have time to think when they’re out there in nature and fresh air
Abuse, Offender (prison service participant).
Rehabilitation and The context of confinement is a powerful influence on perceptions of activities.
Horticultural Therapy
Participants described some of the contextual emotional benefits that they had
Practice” in S.P. Simson experienced in their own words; a clear message was the emotional difference
and M.C. Straus (eds.), between the experience of being confined indoors and being outside in a work
Horticulture As Therapy: environment. I get a buzz out of seeing courgettes soon after they’ve been planted
Principles and Practice, (prison participant).
(Food Products Press,
NY), pp. 43-70. Decision-making and self-control were also mentioned by staff as being
encouraged. Increased confidence was a common theme in the secure
psychiatric hospitals. One in particular reported research at the unit that had
found an ‘immense’ increase in confidence, self-esteem and hope. Practitioners
commented on the social benefit of horticulture. According to staff, part of the
social benefit in prison was seen as the opportunity to develop mutual
understanding between project staff and prisoners who shared outdoor
conditions of work. The project staff in hospitals acknowledged the value of
teamwork and association as a means of acquiring or reinforcing social skills.
One remarked that shared learning about horticulture could be a factor that
brought staff and patients closer together. The staff and managers that work on
the sites consider themselves as performing a number of functions and having a
number of combined roles, including management, supervision, providing
instruction, monitoring and evaluating as well as listening and communicating
with participants.
3. Literature in context
Until recently there has been little attempt to produce a comprehensive review of
the literature of horticultural activities in secure settings within the UK. Whilst A complete literature
there is some published literature on the use of social and therapeutic review on social and
horticulture in secure environments in the US (Relf, 1992), much of this tends to therapeutic horticulture
be anecdotal or textbooks for practitioners, and there is virtually no academic was carried out as part
research in this field. Two horticultural projects operating in the UK that have of the Growing
had written evaluations carried out on their operations include Leyhill Prison in Together project by
Gloucestershire and the First Step Trust based at Broadmoor Hospital in Thrive and
Berkshire. This is a clear indication of the potential benefits of horticultural Loughborough
activity in secure settings. University. This
contains additional
Leyhill Prison references to secure
Leyhill is an open prison, housing up to 400 long-termers, many reaching the end settings.
of their sentences for sex offences and violent crimes, as well as short-term Social and therapeutic
inmates. Vegetables and salad crops are grown on site, selling them to other horticulture: Evidence
prisons and the public. As many as 110 men work in the glasshouses, the and messages from
garden shop, the arboretum, the museum of old rural machinery and the food research, Sempik et al,
processing works (Vidal, 2000: 2-3).The horticulture project is managed Thrive and CCFR 2003
commercially supplying vegetables and salads to 27 prisons in the southwest,
feeding over 10,000 inmates. The inmates at Leyhill are expected to take
responsibility for their day-to-day lives. In the gardens, work starts at 8am and
participants do a full working day. Some prisoners study for NVQs in
horticulture. Others sit the examinations of the Royal Horticultural Society. Many
former Leyhill gardeners have made careers in horticulture. Two of them run
landscaping business and one is a manager at a garden centre (Pugh, 2001:11).
Their project won gold at the Chelsea Flower show in 2001.
First Step Trust (FST) Berkshire
A study carried out by the Employment Support Programme at the Institute for
Applied Health & Social Policy, King’s College London (Grove and Lockett, 2001)
has been undertaken in relation to horticultural activities carried out by the FST
Berkshire project within Broadmoor Hospital. The aim was to discover the impact
the project was having on patient’s self esteem, self-confidence and functioning
within the project and in the rest of the hospital. Findings from the study
suggested that the project was having a positive impact on the participants.
There was a growth in participant’s self-efficacy, self-esteem, confidence and
motivation with an increase in their practical and social skills. Other findings
related to the impact the project was having on the culture of the hospital and
demonstrated that the project was challenging the traditional methods of
working within the high secure hospital system and demonstrating a model of
contemporary practice. Through carrying out the horticultural activities key
characteristics were identified that enabled participants to function more
effectively. Among these were opportunities for taking responsibility and
changing the level of responsibility, a high level of patient involvement in
decision-making and the focus on commercial work.
The challenges and obstacles
As would be expected, security considerations were frequently cited as common
obstacles in carrying out common tasks often taken for granted in a more open
setting. But the security obstacles did not limit project staff from being creative
in the provision of horticultural activities within secure settings and carrying out
varied programmes. Staff operating within the prison service were conscious of
obstacles arising from problems in the wider prison system, for example the
construction of buildings to provide more prisoner accommodation could displace
4. some garden areas, short sentences reduced the opportunity to train horticulture
skills over the changing seasons and prisoner movement from one prison to
another meant that a commitment to work on a particular project could not be
sustained. Staff working within hospital settings raised the issues of insufficient
numbers of staff and suitably qualified staff with proven experience. Lack of
support for horticultural projects within the wider secure environment was also
expressed and in some cases insufficient support from senior managers because of
their lack of understanding as to the purpose of the horticultural project.
Practitioners based at horticultural projects in the study were asked to indicate if
they had any specific support needs. The majority stated they were looking for
support on training, increased development of horticultural activities within secure
environments, support with funding and training resources, networking and
community links. Training and external support were more often seen as
significant issues in the prison context than in hospitals.
The future
The Horticulture in Secure Settings study is a first step into the world of
horticulture and gardening activities within prisons and secure psychiatric services.
Many examples exist of these activities being used as a vehicle for skills
acquisition and promoting training and employment. Additional studies have shown
that providing skills acquisition through real experience can lead to improved self-
belief and self-control within secure environments. It is clear from the study that
horticulture can become a vehicle for a range of purposes, several of which can
bring physical, social and mental benefits to people within secure settings. All
these have a huge impact on the likelihood of a person re-offending. From
interviews with senior prison managers it is evident that the reconstruction of the
prison estate over the next few years is likely to favour horticulture at the expense
of farms:
The likelihood is that we will phase out farming, and put an expansion in the
horticultural side…(prison service).
Looking further into the future it was suggested that seeking pro-active links with
employers could lead to more job-relevant training, and additional training such as
basic skills acquisition could be implemented in more practical contexts:
We’ve got to try and get local employers keen to employ prisoners on release and
if we take that on the horticultural side there is a potential we can do that (prison
service).
Resources and information systems were highlighted to make for more coherent
and controlled operations, spreading knowledge across the sector. Linked to this it
was suggested a system would be useful to support offenders once released, to
access horticultural projects in the community. At a more structural level
practitioners suggested that the basic planning and design of architecture and land
use in the hospitals was an important factor in the development of horticulture and
The full report could contribute to a wider number of people being involved than just those
Horticulture in Secure participating in the horticultural project. A number of practitioners operating within
Settings: a study both prisons and psychiatric facilities highlighted the need to promote their work
exploring social and outside the secure perimeter and to link up with community-based projects.
therapeutic horticultural
activities in prisons and Although there are similarities between horticulture projects within the prison and
secure psychiatric psychiatric sectors the study highlighted the differing needs. This issue was raised
facilities in the United by practitioners wanting further support and information with practitioner
Kingdom is available networks, training, the sharing of good practice and long term planning for
from Thrive sustainability.