Photo: Courtesy of Massachusetts Department of Correction
NORFOLK, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Pondville Correctional Center in Norfolk has added two beehives that house 40,000 bees to the facility, as they roll out a new program for inmates.
Inmates will be getting hands-on training for caring and maintaining the hives as well as learning about insects and their ecosystem.
“It’s an opportunity for these guys to kind of interact with nature, learn some job skills while at the same time probably engaging in a program, they wouldn’t had access to in their own communities,” said State Corrections Commissioner Shawn Jenkins.
On top of teaching inmates’ different job and life skills, the beehives are helping with the facility’s fruit and vegetable garden.
Since August, more than 400 pounds of fruits and vegetables from the garden have been donated to a local food bank in Franklin.
The program has been in the making for the past 10 years, spearheaded by Department of Corrections volunteer Susan Goldwitz, who made a donation to kickstart the hives.
“I think people who are incarcerated often have their identities reduced, but if there’s a way to really rehabilitate people I thought [that] was something very worthwhile,” said Goldwitz. She said the curriculum required lots of forethought because of the challenging prison setting.
Pondville inmates are currently studying beekeeping, and will begin taking over the hives in the spring.
While this is taking place, experts from The Best Bees Company are maintaining the bees to continue their healthy growth.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.