July 2, 2014

Summit Attendees
Summit Attendees Outside Inverness Jail

What do turtles, butterflies, gardens, pictures of nature, recycling, and job training all have in commons? They are all ways of introducing sustainability into jails and prisons. June 25th's Oregon Sustainability in Prisons/Jails Regional Summit brought together representatives of agencies and organizations dedicated to lowering the human and economic costs of jails. The summit was organized as an opportunity for these groups to share ideas, learn from one another, and collaborate in their pursuit of common goals to improve efficiency and promote social equity in the corrections system. In addition to Multnomah County's Office of Sustainability and Sheriff's Office, attendees were from agencies across the state, local nonprofits, and members of the Sustainability in Prisons Project Network.

The event began at Multnomah County's Inverness Jail with presentations from the Washington State Sustainability in Prisons Project, Oregon Health Authority, and the Institute for Applied Ecology, and an open panel discussion. Presentations highlighted the depth and breadth of ongoing prison sustainability efforts, while the panel got into the nitty gritty of prison sustainability projects, including funding, action planning, media relations, and building partnerships. Topics that were discussed included, using nature imagery to improve safety, gardening and farming at jails and prisons, and ways of improving nutrition and health outcomes for inmates. After a lunch break and plenty of time for friendly conversation, participants were able to tour Inverness Jail's garden and laundry facility, as well as a trip to Oregon DOC's Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, OR. 

Presenters
Presenters Elizabeth Sazie, Kelli Bush, Stacey Moore, and Linda Drach Receive Sheriff's Department Mugs from Lt. Steve Alexander

Since 2009, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office has been working with the Office of Sustainability on the Sustainable Jails Project, which aims to conserve both public funds and natural resources as well as reduce recidivism rates by incorporating informed, sustainable decision-making and practices into Multnomah County jail facilities, operations, and programming. For example, Inverness' water recycling program significantly reduces the water used in laundry operations, reducing waste and conserving public funds. Since 2010 utility expenses at Inverness have declined approximately $139,000 despite rising utility rates. Working in the jail's garden provides inmates the opportunity to get hands-on gardening experience and connect with the outdoors, and produce from the jail's garden is donated to Snowcap Charities. Last year, the garden produced over 800 lbs. of fresh produce. Volunteers also work with inmates to teach the Seed to Supper gardening-on-a-budget training.

Gardeners at Coffee Creek
Inmate Gardeners at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, photo credit: John Valls

The Sustainable Jail Project is also part of a broader network of Counties and States that are implementing similar programs called the Sustainability in Prisons Project Network. With help from the Network, several facilities in Oregon and Washington have implemented programs through which inmates can engage with outdoor education and vocational training, and even conservation of regionally threatened species like the Checkerspot Butterfly, Oregon Spotted Frog, and Western Pond Turtle. These programs combine ecological conservation with science education and job training. Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, for example, is engaged in a variety of projects including beekeeping and native prairie plant restoration.

The summit on June 25th was made possible by the generous support of the Network and the National Science Foundation. The event was co-organized by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of Sustainability. To learn how to volunteer and get involved in the project, visit our website.