Inmate gardening program

Part of the omnibus corrections law signed April 4 by the governor is a provision calling for the Corrections Department to establish an inmate gardening program at each correctional facility where space and security allows.

“The produce is to be used for feeding the offenders; excess produce would be donated to food shelves or charities,” said Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen (R-Glencoe), who sponsors this provision in the House as HF467.

“Some of the results of this in other states is they see lower recidivism rates with gardening programs, it also saves thousands of dollars — some states save several million dollars — in food costs to the prisoners,” Gruenhagen said, adding inmates have sought a gardening program for many years.

Rep. Carly Melin (DFL-Hibbing) said it’s important to teach prisoners skills to help reduce recidivism when they are released. “We’re taking a step in the right direction here.”

Other provisions in the omnibus law:

• will allow victims who want to be informed when their offender is released from prison or a secure hospital to be notified electronically;

• allow the Department of Corrections’ Fugitive Apprehension Unit to apply for a search warrant;

• bar offenders convicted of murder, manslaughter, criminal sexual conduct, assault, drive-by shooting, assault, robbery, arson and other specified crimes from participating in the Challenge Incarceration Program; and

• eliminate an annual performance report from the Department of Corrections, instead reverting back to a biennial report. This is expected to save the department approximately $8,000.

The Challenge Incarceration Program and biennial report provisions are effective

April 5, 2012; the remainder Aug. 1, 2012.

Rep. Tony Cornish (R-Vernon Center) and Sen. Warren Limmer (R-Maple Grove) sponsor the law.

HF2415/ SF2084*/CH155