The New York Correction History Society
(NYCHS) web site -- www.correctionhistory.org --
has unveiled a new presentation featuring
excerpts from Rikers Island GreenHouse Project
director James Jiler's just-published book "Doing Time in the Garden,"
the text and images from the NYC DOC printed
program for the Dec. 5, 2006 reading on Rikers Island by author Jiler of
excerpts from his book, and
14 photos of the Rikers Island Garden by NYCHS
photographer Tom O'Connor.
It can be accessed by double-clicking the "Doing
Time in the Garden" icon or the link line "Growing on the Rock" under that icon
near the top of the NYCHS home page at
The web presentation is entitled "Growing
Inmate Skills and Hope Along with Flowers, Plants and Veggies on Rikers Island."
It links with an earlier 4-page presentation, "Rikers Island had a Farm: E - I -
E - I - O . . . and still does!"
The GreenHouse Project is
a Horticultural Society of NY job-training program for male and female
inmates on Rikers Island. Jiler also directs the GreenTeam of
ex-offenders who work with community groups and institutions on landscape
related projects throughout New York State. The web page excerpts tell the
history of the project's start and its growth into a model program drawing
interest from other correctional agencies, horticultural groups, and
community organizations.