Those who have driven Route 2 through Pleasants County during the growing season may have observed splashes of color across the fields at the St. Marys Correctional Center. If you look closely you will see rows of cucumbers, peppers, zucchini and tomatoes surrounded by masses of zinnias and other annuals. The gardens are maintained by inmates who work the many plots located on the grounds of the prison.
For a second year, Catholic Charities’ Parkersburg Region was the recipient of the inmates’ hard work. More than 2,000 pounds of fresh produce were given to CCWVa’s food pantries and the Stone Soup Kitchen to distribute in seven counties. The produce is also used by the correctional center and distributed to other local food pantries. The gardens are a win-win project and allow inmates to learn new skills to gain employment with garden centers and landscaping companies upon their release.
