Green Projects in Belgian Prisons: How Gardening Activities can Contribute to the Rehabilitation of Prisoners (PID193)

1.30pm – 2pm EDT, 5 September 2024 ‐ 30 mins

Workshop Session

My position as prison director of a high-security Belgian prison with 600 prisoners is very varied. For 12 years now, I work out policy, advise the probation court and actively work on change-management.
In recent years I tried to find ways to enable a greener environment in prison, aiming for a more pleasant feel and an increase in the sense of well-being. But it quickly became apparent that by greening projects we were achieving many more goals both organizationally, individually and socially. I would like to review with you how you can still make a big difference with few resources and seemingly small interventions, and a significant change in prisoners life and rehabilitation.