And, inmates from St Heliers Correctional Facility enjoyed working outdoors, harvesting vegetables from the farm onsite.

The harvest was the first of three from staggered winter plantings.

In the cooler months, the inmates also harvest cabbage and broccoli, with summer producing pumpkin and capsicum.

Governor Bill Fittler said the farm had a big emphasis on self-sustainability, and had saved more than $200,000 through the program onsite.

Beyond the cost savings and efficiency, Mr Fittler said the program also benefited the inmates on an individual level.

One of the workers, who cannot be named, said he enjoyed the freedom of being outside.

“They put a fair bit of trust in you,” he said.

“It’s good camaraderie among everyone.”

Farm overseer Craig Porch said the local facility supplied all the vegetables for the inmates across the state.

“They get in and have a real go,” he said.

“It gives them something to do so they’re not just cooped up inside and they get to do something productive.

“Once they start to see what they’ve producing, it really changes [their perspective].

“They’ve gone through and chopped all the weeds out by hand.

“A lot of the time they are city boys, but they get in and do an Agriculture course and surprise themselves with what they learn.

“We had 9,000 capsicum plants last year and I’d like to get up to 15,000 next year.”

The inmates can complete TAFE certificates during their time at the facility, to better prepare them for life after release.​