Paul Cooper, Land Based & Concrete Sector Lead for Prison Industries, decided that if prisoners were going to stand a chance in securing employment, the opportunities offered by prisons have to adapt. Using our aeroponic container farm DROP & GROW, Paul’s goal is to bring their agricultural experience up-to-date, and create a pathway into the agritech industry for prisoners across the country.
- Reduce food miles: Herbs and microgreens that used to travel over land and sea can instead be harvested right within the prison.
- Limit food waste: In a containerised system, crops can be easily grown and made to order. Each prison can not only specify what crop they need, but in what quantity, limiting food waste.
- Provide therapeutic respite: It’s also hoped that by bringing farms into urban sites and allowing prisoners to work with plants on a regular basis, this will provide untold mental health benefits.