Research summary: Impact of Horticultural Therapy on Psychosocial Functioning Among Urban Jail Inmates

The authors of this study identified a lack of statistical evaluations of horticulture programs in the scholarly literature. Thus, the objective of this study was to provide an empirical evaluation of a horticulture therapy program in an inner-city jail. It specifically focused on the psychosocial functioning of jail inmates in a correctional facility operated by the San Francisco Sherriff’s Department. The key issue was whether access to gardening in correctional facilities has positive effects.

This research summary, prepared by the AIA Academy of Architecture for Justice (AAJ) in 2012, includes implications for design practice and is adapted from:
Authors: Jay S. Rice, Program Consultant, San Francisco Sheriff’s Department and Linda L. Remy, Principal Research Analyst, Health Economics Research Group, Institute of Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco
Article Title: Impact of Horticultural Therapy on Psychosocial Functioning Among Urban Jail Inmates
Publisher: The Haworth Press, Inc.
Publication: Journal of Offender Rehabilitation
Publication Type: Peer reviewed
Date of Publication: 1998
Volume: 2
Issue: 3/4
Pages: 169-191
Country of Study: USA
Search Related Keywords: Jail inmate; Horticulture Therapy; Inner City Jail; Jail Design