Land O' Lakes - Pasco Sheriff Bob White recently joined his detention deputies to present a number of new inmate labor programs that are being used to save taxpayers' dollars at the Central Detention Center here.

These programs are part of the Inmate Labor Section (ILS) and are also designed to raise the work ethic of selected inmates and give them a productive way to spend their court-ordered sentences. All supplies, including the start-up costs of the programs, are obtained from federal grant funds and sustained through inmate welfare funds. Inmates poured the concrete slabs, put in the plumbing and electrical systems, and erected the structures needed for all the programs.

Pasco Sheriff Bob White welcomes guests to review of new inmate labor programs at the Central Detention Center in Land O' Lakes

"Inmates who participate in these programs receive a sense of achievement," Sheriff White said. "It's starting something and seeing it to fruition. Many of our inmates have not had that experience." Sheriff White also explained that only non-violent, sentenced inmates are used in the program. Every 40 hours they work, they receive a day-and-a-half off of their jail sentence.

Included in the program is the newly reconstructed hydroponics garden that was destroyed in the tornado that struck the detention center on December 16, 2007. Two different watering systems are utilized for the new hydroponics program: a horizontal system where the water and nutrients circulate under the plants, and a vertical system where the water drips down into the plants placed perpendicular to the ground.

The horizontal system has a capacity of 9,600 plants. When in operation, harvesting is conducted 5 days a week. Each day, 460 heads of lettuce are harvested. Each head of lettuce produced provides a saving of approximately $1 to the Detention Culinary Unit, and annually this program produces a savings of about $119,600.

The vertical drip hydroponics program was initiated in October 2008. This new system requires less space than the conventional, horizontal system. The vertical drip system has a capacity of 4,000 plants. In 2008, the vertical drip hydroponics system provided the Culinary Unit with 1,912 heads of Rex lettuce, which wholesales at $1.49 per head, providing a savings of $2,848. Since January 2009, this system has grown beefsteak tomatoes, grape tomatoes, bib lettuce, romaine lettuce, bell peppers, squash, cucumbers, collards, eggplant, thyme, basil, parsley, garlic and sage.

Inmates pick lettuce in the horizontal hydroponics program

The other new programs include:

The Swine program, which currently has 120 pigs. The bureau has an arrangement with the Manatee Sheriff's Office to process our swine. The bureau sent 67 pigs to Manatee Sheriff's Office in 2008, which yielded 10,244 pounds of processed pork, for a savings of $13,113. For 2009, the swine program has produced 6,325 lbs of meat for a savings of $15,812.

The Cattle Program started this year with 27 cows. There is approximately 45 acres of grazing land used for the program. This program has been augmented with donations from local farmers who have donated hay, cows, and expertise. Future plans include incorporating beef from this program into the inmate food system.

Inmates clean out pig pens.

The Ornamental Plant Program was also started this year. The plants are grown within a grow house. The program will be used to augment Pasco government property landscaping and conduct horticulture training for inmates. The future plans for the program may include sales to the public to generate funds for inmate labor programs.

The Agriculture Program (outdoor soil garden) was the first inmate program to be created and has been in existence for nearly eight years. In the last 18 months, this three-acre tract has produced more than 114,000 pounds of produce that has saved nearly $62,000 in food costs.