Article as seen in Public Management Magazine, Texas Town & City, The Scribe and other trade publications in 2002
There’s no free ride for juveniles issued citations in the City of Sugar Land. Some juveniles are put to work instead of paying fines, as has been the case in the past.
Sugar Land is one of two Texas cities participating in a Community Garden program. The program is funded with a federal grant from the Texas Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division, as well as donations from area businesses and individuals.
Instead of paying municipal citations for Class C misdemeanor offenses, some juveniles are assigned to work in a garden located in the City’s public works complex. While at the garden, kids perform all the work necessary to cultivate the crops. They grow a variety of items, including tomatoes, squash, cabbage, herbs, strawberries, radishes, carrots, etc. In addition, juveniles tend to other needs of the garden. For example, landscaping is installed and maintained, and plans are in place to install split-rail fencing.
“I think that an important part of what we try to do with kids in the court is to demonstrate that each person is responsible for their own conduct and that everything that you do has consequences,” said Judge D. Craig Landin. “For a lot of kids, especially the younger ones, it’s just real easy for parents to pull out a checkbook and make the problem or ticket disappear. The garden makes it possible for any kid coming through the court with a misdemeanor offense to personally bear responsibility for their offense.”
Following an assignment to the garden by the judge, the coordinator of the Community Garden meets with the juvenile and his family to discuss the program and expectations for participants. Class C misdemeanor offenses that result in community service range from motor vehicle violations to theft; juveniles work weekends at a rate of $12.50 per hour or $100 per day until their fine is paid. During the week, adult volunteers participating in the City’s Citizen Police Academy tend to the needs of the garden.
WHY IS THE GARDEN NEEDED?
First implemented in October 2000, the Community Garden filled a void in community service programs in Sugar Land and Fort Bend County. Local programs weren’t offered because community service requires adult supervision, thus a commitment of personnel. While the majority of the program is federally funded through the Criminal Justice Division of the Office of the Governor, a local 10 percent contribution is required. Sugar Land has deemed the advantages of the program well worth the investment. And the community has also been supportive of the garden, as evidenced by donations of tools, seeds, plants, water sprinklers and other items.
A SUCCESS STORY
Municipal court officials have found the program to be very successful. For the approximately 317 youths who have done community service at the juvenile community garden, the recidivism rate is 5 percent. Since the juvenile community garden opened in fall 2000, it has produced 530 pounds of produce, which East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry distributes to needy families.
While serving their time, it’s not uncommon to hear kids say, “You won’t see me here again,” but they do return. It seems that during the course of their work, a sense of pride develops, and kids want to see the fruits of their labor – literally.
The Community Garden is a win-win program from all perspectives.
The judge likes the program, parents like it and, surprisingly, most of the kids working the garden like it, as well. From the judge’s perspective, the community garden provides an avenue for kids to learn from their mistakes. In the past, parents frequently paid the fines for their children, and there was no lesson learned. Parents also say they like the idea of their children being held accountable for their actions, and of course, community service is less expensive.
A MELTING POT
Kids of all backgrounds learn to work together. The only thing they have in common prior to an assignment to the garden is the citation they received within the city limits of Sugar Land. For some, the garden is their first opportunity to use a shovel. Once acclimated to the work, most find the experience rewarding and leave with a sense that they’ve accomplished something. What’s more, the produce from the garden is donated to local charities, an added incentive that their work is worthwhile.
By all accounts, the garden has lived up to expectations, and its reputation as an effective deterrent continues to grow. Judges throughout Fort Bend County have expressed interest in sending juveniles to the garden, and requests for information about the program have been received from locations throughout the state.
“I ask most kids who are just going to pay the fine or even just sign up for a driver’s safety class, `Are you paying this or is mom and dad paying it for you?’” said Landin. “The garden makes it possible for any kid to answer that question, `Yes.’ I think that’s important. After spending a day or two working hard in the hot sun, maybe they will think about what they are doing the next time they are about to do something that will get them back in court."