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29
WQ.275/2019
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS BY DEPUTY M.R. HIGGINS OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 18th JUNE 2019
Question
Will the Minister outline what goods, including agricultural goods, are produced by prisoners in H.M.P. La Moye and in what quantities they are produced; and will he further explain to whom such goods are sold, the value of any such goods used internally within the prison, and the amount and nature of any such goods which are destroyed?
Answer
The Horticulture Department at The States of Jersey Prison Service fulfils several functions. It provides employment for prisoners, it generates revenue through sales via the cultivation of ornamental plants which are sold to the wider community by various outlets on the Island, it produces food for the prison's production kitchen and it delivers horticultural educational courses. The department also provides plants for the planters in the prison grounds.
In the period of 1st January to 31st May 2019, £18, 551.13 of income was generated by the department by the sale of said ornamental plants which were purchased by staff, private individuals and local businesses such as landscape gardening companies, garden centres and parishes.
In terms of the supply of goods within the prison, the Horticulture department produces salad items and root vegetables for the production kitchen, which is staffed by prisoners, to use in the preparation of prisoner and staff meals. The Catering and Horticulture teams work together in terms of what produce is required on a weekly basis. Should there be an excess of produce, then this is delivered to The Beresford Street Kitchen at no cost.
Food waste from the production kitchen is recycled in a Rocket composter to create compost that is then in turn used in the horticulture compound. Prisoners only work in the compound from Monday to Friday with a small number of prisoners watering the area for a short period over the weekend which is in line with the prison regime. On limited occasions of extremely hot summer weekend weather, some salad items may wilt and can no longer be used in food preparation; consequently these items are then recycled into the rocket composter. The Horticulture department prides itself on being eco-conscious and is fully committed to absolute minimal wastage strategy. As with all agriculture and horticulture some plants as not useable, saleable and will be recycled.
The SoJPS extends again its invite to show Deputy Higgins the work we do in the prison to rehabilitate and reintegrate prisoners back into the community, and for him to see first-hand the work of the Horticulture and Catering teams.