Bossier Parish Prisoners Harvesting Crops

BENTON, La. (AP) — Bossier Parish sheriff's office prisoners are harvesting crops this week, picking the last of peas and other goods that could save taxpayers up to $45,000.

Officials say crops from the farm near Plain Dealing and at the Bossier Minimum Security Facility will provide more than 40,000 pounds of cucumbers, potatoes, onions and more. The vegetables will be used to help feed more than 1,200 inmates at Bossier's minimum-, medium-, and maximum-security facilities.

So far, inmates have harvested cucumbers, squash, okra, tomatoes, corn, onions, potatoes and peas.

The Times reports the combined yearly food bill for the three facilities is about $740,000. Without the vegetable supplements, officials say the price tag would be about $785,000 annually.

Since 1995, officials estimate the farm has saved $600,000 on inmates' food bills.