The Russell County Sheriff's Office has turned a half-acre of jail property into a thriving summer garden, tended to by a group of female inmates, with the crops going to area shelters, food banks and churches.
The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reports that the garden got underway about six weeks ago, in a lot behind the jail that had been bare grass. Now that space is lined by rows of peas, okra, tomatoes, melons and squash.
Nine female inmates, overseen by a jail employee, till, plant, pick and maintain the garden each morning.
Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor says it's a chance for them to give back to their community.
The plan is to grow the garden year-round, with new crops each season.
Russell County is near the Georgia-Alabama line.
