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No Prison Flowers For Boy GeorgeCopyright © 2006-2008 Wesley Berry, AAFSinger, songwriter Boy George, front man of the 80's pop group Culture Club, was recently arrested and sentenced for drug possession. It seems he'll be spending some time picking up trash in the community as penance for his crime. Although such a job seems pretty demeaning for a one-time superstar, Boy George is lucky to have escaped doing time in prison since this wasn't his first brush with the law over illegal substances. But, had Boy George gone to prison, he might have found himself lucky enough to be placed in one where innovative rehabilitation programs centering on the growth and care of flowers are being used. A prison in Alabama, the Elmore Correctional Facility of Elmore County, recently began a rehabilitation program run entirely by volunteers in which prisoners learn gardening skills during their incarceration. The flowers they grow include Sweet William, zinnias, sunflowers, petunias, salvia, hibiscus, marigolds, and roses. When the flowers bloom, the inmates not only get a chance to enjoy the beauty of the flowers and the sense of accomplishment they bring, they also get to give something back to the community. The flowers are sent to area nursing homes and other agencies benefiting the elderly. The program was started by volunteers in the prison's ministry group, Order of St. Dismas, and was aided by one of the group's volunteers, Bob Scheffler, who also happens to be a master gardener. He donates his time to the program in the form of teaching inmates how to cultivate their gardens. When asked what he enjoyed about the program, one inmate said, "I've never really started something and carried it all the way through. "The Order of St. Dismas also started a gardening program at Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka, Alabama. Because of their affect on the emotions of people, flowers are an excellent choice for an inmate rehabilitation program. Flowers have been proven to immediately increase positive emotions in people. In addition, anyone who has ever taken the time to plant a tiny seed or very young plant, water it, fertilize it, and protect it from insects and disease can tell you what a wonderful feeling it is to watch that first tiny bloom open up and yield a beautiful, hard earned flower. Perhaps Boy George, too, will feel a sense of accomplishment from the community service he is currently performing and it will help him to mend his ways. But, if it doesn't, may he be lucky enough to be placed in a progressive prison like the Elmore Correctional Facility that believes in the power of flowers. About The Author:
*** Digital Reprint Rights *** *** Author Notification *** We ask that you notify the author of publication of his or her work. Wesley Berry, AAF can be reached at: wes@wesleyberryflowers.com *** Print Publication Reprint Rights *** If you desire to publish this article in a PRINT publication, you must contact the author directly for Print Permission at: wes@wesleyberryflowers.com
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