Minister of National Security, the Hon. Wayne Munroe and Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, the Hon. Jomo Campbell donated agricultural supplies and layer chickens to the farm at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDOCS) this week.

BDOCS Commissioner, Doan Cleare shared that the donation will assist in lowering the estimated $3 million annual cost to feed residents of the prison. He said, “just to cook a meal of food for inmates is like about $50,000 just the eggs, that’s one meal. So it tells you, you know, the importance of this exercise here today.”

Though the current farming project began merely two years ago, BDOCS has a history of farming. Officer Jason Lewis is eager to see the farming initiative return to its glory days. “My dream is for it to be like how it was in yesteryear. I was told that our institution used to provide products for whole of the eastern area of New Providence. We need to get back there,” he said.

During the donation ceremony held at the facility this week Minister Campbell said, “today’s donation is a part of an even broader strategy. By equipping BDOCS with egg laying chickens and agricultural resources we are not only reducing the cost burden on the taxpayers but are also creating a sustainable food source within the institution.”

For his part Minister Munroe expressed that inmates are keen to get their lives back on track. He said, “we look forward for the technical cooperation that will teach them not how to catch a fish but how to nurture chickens and grow some produce.”

The current farming project is spread over two acres of land at the facility.