Organic farming in prisons offers an innovative and sustainable approach to rehabilitation, vocational training, and social reintegration by engaging inmates in environmentally friendly agricultural practices. This method not only provides prisoners with practical skills and work habits but also supports their mental and physical well-being. By cultivating organic produce, inmates contribute to biodiversity conservation, sustainable land use, and healthy food systems within prison settings. These activities enhance their sense of responsibility, teamwork, and self-worth. However, despite its many benefits, structured organic farming programs are still rare in Türkiye and Europe. There is a growing need for comprehensive training programs for prison staff and inmates. Such programs will empower inmates with employable skills and a renewed sense of purpose, easing their transition into society after release.
The activities of the project “Cooperation for the Improvement of Sustainable and Organic Social Farming Practices in Prison”, coordinated by Germany with partners Turkey, Portugal, and Italy, are presented in this paper. Turkey participates in the project through its collaboration with the Workhouse Directorate of Detention Houses for Prisons and Criminal Institutions. The project focuses on developing training and practical education in sustainable farming for educators, staff, and inmates to promote skills, entrepreneurship, and eco-friendly prison farming practices.
Moderated by Michelle Carpentier
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Prof. Dr. Hamide Gübbük
Professor, Akdeniz University, Türkiye
Dr. Hamide Gübbük has been actively involved in more than 25 national and international research projects, serving either as principal investigator or researcher. These projects have primarily focused on tropical and subtropical fruit crops. She is also working on social farming for more than 10 years. She is involved in 3 international social farming project. She has supervised 11 master’s thesis and 6 doctoral dissertations. Dr. Hamide Gübbük has authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications in the field of horticulture. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals.
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Dr. Recep Balkıç
Lecturer, Akdeniz University, Türkiye
Dr. Recep Balkıç completed his undergraduate, master's, and PhD studies at Akdeniz University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture. He conducted his master's and Ph.D. research under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Hamide Gübbük. His research focuses on fruit cultivation and breeding, particularly tropical fruit crops. He has worked as a researcher in many projects together with Prof. Dr. Hamide Gübbük. In addition, he is currently involved as a researcher in an international project on social farming.
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Dr. Lokman Altınkaya
Lecturer, Akdeniz University, Türkiye
Dr. Lokman Altınkaya has been working with Prof. Dr. Hamide Gübbük at the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Akdeniz University since 2013. He completed his undergraduate, master's degrees, and PhD degrees at the same University. His areas of specialization include the adaptation, the cultivation, and the breeding of tropical fruit species and varieties. Currently, he is also involved as a researcher in an international project on social farming, collaborating with various institutions and organizations.
