Evaluating the Impact of a Healing Garden on Adults in Custody at Oregon State Penitentiary

There is an established and ever-growing body of literature that supports the use of green space for both treating and preventing illnesses both physical and psychological for the general public. An arm of this research has suggested that green space can also help to normalize carceral environments and make them more conducive to addressing the trauma of Adults in Custody (AIC) and reducing recidivism rates. However, more research is necessary for many stakeholders in the department of corrections to invest in green space for AIC. Thus, existing projects such as the Memorial Healing Garden (MHG) at the Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) provide valuable opportunities to investigate potential impacts and gain insight into how green spaces could be incorporated into carceral settings and accordingly make informed decisions. Through this study, I seek to increase our understanding of the garden’s impact from several angles: To what extent does the MHG benefit the well-being of AIC? Does the MHG have a distinguishably different effect on well-being than other outdoor spaces at OSP? What elements or garden features are most supportive of the well-being of incarcerated individuals? These questions were explored through Likert scale surveys with text and photo prompts related to the MHG that were distributed to AIC. Factor analysis of survey responses was then employed to determine overall trends. Findings reveal that the MHG has a distinguishably positive effect on AIC well-being and even more so among acutely stressed individuals. Water features and culturally inspired elements were the most endorsed aspect of the garden. These findings advocate for the inclusion of high quality green space in prisons and to reconsider operations to maximize its use in daily operations. Through their skill set for making impactful green spaces, landscape architects and designers should take this opportunity to expand the profession’s positive impact on society.