One such program is the horticulture vocational program. The horticulture program is currently in place at 11 prisons and two camps. The program provides tens of thousands of pounds of produce for use in department facilities and for donation to community food banks. In 1999, the program donated 38,000 pounds of vegetables to 62 community organizations. The program also produces landscaping flowers and plants that are distributed to nursing homes, hospitals, and community beautification projects.
Prisoners learn valuable skills while contributing food and plants to the community.
Another excellent vocational program is the building trades program that teaches construction skills to inmates. Working with Habitat for Humanity, the Michigan Prison Build Program helps provide affordable housing for low-income families. Since 1998, the department s program has been constructing pre-built wall panels for Habitat home sites. The program has now expanded so that a complete house can be constructed inside the perimeter of a prison and then moved to a site outside the prison walls. Prisoners also build cabinets, knit afghans, and provide landscaping materials for Habitat homes.