Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Jail’s turf love
New lawn is ‘a haven’ for lags
TERRORISTS and fellow lags at a top security jail have been given their own lawn so they can “feel the grass between their toes”.
The green was installed in an unused exercise yard as part of a scheme to boost mental health.
Inmates at HMP Whitemoor have also been given a fruit and veg plot. And they are asked to keep wildlife diaries, look after bird boxes, keep an eye on insect “hotels” and count frogs and newts in a raised pond.
The Cambridgeshire jail project is run by community group Greener Growth – which calls the 500 prisoners, including scores of terrorists, “residents”.
Founder Joannah Metcalfe, a specialist in alternative medicine, said the lawn was a huge success. She said: “When one resident came into the garden and put his bare feet on the grass for the first time in 23 years, he broke down.
“Sometimes healing and growth comes naturally.”
The scheme aims to bring out the sensitive side of prisoners at a jail renowned for trouble. Ms Metcalfe revealed inmates had no access to building materials because of security fears.
She added: “The design and creation process usually involves the residents. Due to the high security at Whitemoor we have delivered the build with staff only.
“Our gardens are designed to impact on all the senses. Helping to grow a beautiful environment, a place of peace and tranquillity, a haven for minds and bodies, as well as for nature – this is a joy.
“Perhaps Greener Growth can be part of a ‘Green Revolution’ across our prison estates.”
The scheme comes as figures show fewer British families have gardens. By next year about 2.6 million households will be without a green space.
A Prison Service spokesman said: “This green scheme has a positive impact on both the environment and prisoners, as well as teaching them tangible skills including team work which can help them get a job on release.”
Whitemoor saw a vicious brawl last year when three terror inmates battered a fellow con over a remark about Islam. At least four in 10 Whitemoor lags reportedly follow the religion.