Energy hogs: prisons now recycle, grow own food

November 1, 2008 By PHUONG LE , Associated Press Writer

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Daniel Travatte, 36, suits up to check on the Italian honey bees he cares for at the Cedar Creek Corrections Center in rural southwest, Wash. on Friday, Oct. 17, 2008. The bees are part of a program to help the prison be more environmentally green. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

(AP) -- Of all the things convicted murderer Robert Knowles has been called during his 13 years behind bars, recycler hasn't been one of them. But there he was one morning, pitchfork in hand, composting food scraps from the main chow line and coffee grounds from prison headquarters - doing his part to "green" the prison.

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• Corban - Nov 01, 2008
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  On its face value, this is a good thing: the prison has lower upkeep, and the inmates are doing more productive things, and maybe even having some personal growth!
  
  On a more strategic level, one may see that they've got easier lives than some people outside. Whether you judge this case on equality or its pure, unadulterated nature is up to you.
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• Sophos - Nov 03, 2008
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  it has always been argued that prisoners have better lives, especially federal prisoners. But they are off the streets and now using less of my tax dollars
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