Enhancing Offender Rehabilitation Through Co-Designed Controlled-Environment Agriculture in an Australian Maximum Security Prison

• Published date: 01 November 2024
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/00328855241278262
• Author: S. Vaughn,Mariano Ramirez,Christian Tietz
• Date: 01 November 2024
• Subject Matter: Articles

Enhancing Offender

Rehabilitation Through

Co-Designed

Controlled-Environment

Agriculture in an

Australian Maximum

Security Prison

S. Vaughn

1

, Mariano Ramirez

1

,

and Christian Tietz

1

Abstract

This research explores the application of controlled-environment agriculture

(CEA) in an Australian maximum security prison, aiming to enhance inmate

health and wellbeing through improved diet. The implementation of a

medium-scale greenhouse demonstrates how CEA can effectively increase the

availability of fresh produce in prisonsettings. By engaging inmates and correc-

tionalstaff in a co-design process,the project not onlypromotes better nutrition

but also fosters community involvement and empowerment among the

participants. This inclusive approach facilitates the development of innovative

and practical solutions, transforming the prison environment and encouraging

rehabilitation through active participation and skills development.

Keywords

controlled-environment agriculture, prison rehabilitation, co-design process,

inmate wellbeing, sustainable agriculture in prisons

1

University of New South Wales, School of Built Environment, Sydney, AU–NSW, Australia

Corresponding Author:

Mariano Ramirez, University of New South Wales, School of Built Environment, Sydney,

AU–NSW, Australia.

Email: m.ramirez@unsw.edu.au

Article

The Prison Journal

2024, Vol. 104(5) 594–622

© 2024 SAGE Publications

Article reuse guidelines:

sagepub.com/journals-permissions

DOI: 10.1177/00328855241278262

journals.sagepub.com/home/tpj

Introduction

This research aims to improve the diet, health, and wellbeing of inmates in

maximum security prisons through controlled-environment agriculture

(CEA). CEA involves cultivating plants in enclosed structures, optimizing

environmental factors like temperature, humidity, light, and carbon dioxide

levels. The research focuses primarily on growing leafy vegetables using

CEA. Conducted from 2021 to 2024, the project has evolved into the

construction of a medium-scale working greenhouse, providing produce for

the case-study prison, which is based in the state of New South Wales

(NSW) in Australia. By implementing CEA techniques, the prison hopes to

enhance food quality and availability, thereby positively impacting inmate

health and wellbeing.

This article builds upon a previous publication by the same authors that

introduced the study framework (Vaughan et al., 2023). Engaging stake-

holders in a co-design process as a community led to valuable outcomes

in developing innovative design solutions for the research problem. This

collaborative approach helped identify and prioritize viable design solu-

tions while eliminating impractical solutions that were either overly

complex or outside the scope of prison settings. The earlier research

study demonstrated the feasibility of involving both custodial staff and

inmates in a participatory co-design environment. Through custom-

designed participatory design sessions, participants were able to effec-

tively express their ideas and aspirations,aimingtocreateaprisoninfra-

structure that they perceived as being more suitable and benef‌icial for

themselves as end users. The co-design sessions demonstrated that care-

fully calibrated and purposeful settings enabled individuals within the

inmate population to explore and expand their potential.

Maximum security prisons are known for their stringent restrictions on the

movements and activities of their inmates, who are deemed to pose a high risk

to the public or other inmates. However, the maximum security prison exam-

ined in this case study presents a notable departure from conventional correc-

tional facilities of equivalent security rating. Instead of conf‌ining inmates to

cells, this prison employs open-plan, high-ceilinged, dormitory-style arrange-

ment known as pods. Each pod accommodates 25 inmates in individual cubi-

cles resembling off‌ices, which are equipped with a desk, stool, mattress,

shelving, and an interactive touch-screen television. Additionally, there are

telephones available for paid short calls, as well as a kitchenette equipped

with microwave ovens, refrigerators, a barbecue grill, a toaster, and a hot

water urn. Each pod also includes eight bathroom cubicles featuring a

toilet, sink, and shower.

Vaughn et al. 595