This last year, I had heard from some of the prisoners, they were being allowed to have small garden plots from which they could keep the yields as long as they donate a certain portion of their yield to the prison kitchen. I suggested cabbage as thedonation as it was weight related and many wanted to keep water melons for themselves.

They were not allowed to grow hot peppers, as the juice could be used as weapons (they can have tobasco packets though). They could not have insecticides to fight aphids or other insects, so much of my tips was on how to grow and maintain their veggies. I know some will disagree on the use of nicotine as garnered from cigarette butts; but, it does kill bugs. Loosening the soil by tilling and the addition of sand and paper bits also does help create a better growing habitate. Mulching in with paper bits, grass clippings, etc. keeps mositure in and roots warm and not dried out. Much of this helped produce a sizeable yield for them which they ate into Fall.

It may even make sense for some prisons to even farm again rather than feed them processed foods.