Parklea Correctional Centre: Correctional officer Sanjeev Kumar’s plan for prisoners to grow their own organic vegetables

Some of Sydney’s most dangerous criminals may soon develop a green thumb, with a Parklea Correctional Centre initiative to have inmates growing their own organic veggies.

Some of Sydney’s most dangerous criminals may soon develop a green thumb, following the launch of a Parklea Correctional Centre initiative to have inmates growing their own organic veggies.

Fresh off being named the Blacktown City Council environmental citizen of the year, Parklea Correctional Centre’s horticulture overseer Sanjeev Kumar has his sights set on a the bold target of inmates growing and eating their own organic produce.

Mr Kumar received the prestigious award in recognition of the sustainable and environmental initiatives he has implemented.

While a lot of the focus from Mr Kumar was on giving back to the community, his focus is now on getting more inmates involved in green initiatives, with the end goal of inmates growing their own organic food to eat.

Sanjeev Kumar in Parklea Correctional Centre greenhouse

“I cherish passing on my horticultural skills and knowledge to the inmates, as it gives them peace while incarcerated and instils in them the values of giving back to the community,” Mr Kumar said.

“Making a difference in someone’s life in a positive way affirms my role as a correctional officer and helps reduce reoffending.”

As it stands, inmates are growing vegetables in the correctional centre garden under Mr Kumar’s guidance which are then donated charity Foodbank for hampers.

While this is expected to continue, Parklea Correctional Centre and Mr Kumar are working on expanding the food garden so it can also provide inmates meals.

A spokeswoman for MTC-Broadspectrum, the company who operates Parklea Correctional Centre on behalf of Corrective Services, said plans were in place to expand the vegetable garden so inmates can grow their own food.

“The Parklea vegetable garden serves several aims – self-sufficiency, sustainability as well as the therapeutic and educational value of inmates being involved in growing food for charity Food Bank,” she said.

Parklea Correctional Centre Picture: Gaye Gerard

“MTC-Broadspectrum wants to expand the garden so inmates can have the satisfaction of growing their own food. It will also provide another healthy option for inmates.

“This is a long-term project that will be implemented over the next three to five years, ensuring the garden can sustainably grow various types of produce in the land we have available.

“A variety of greens, such as lettuce, rocket, coriander, sorrel, mizuna, and beans, will be grown without using chemicals.”