Master Beekeeping Program to begin at Lee State Prison

Master Beekeeping Program to begin at Lee State Prison

Two Hives and Thousands of Bees Donated

FORSYTH, Ga. – On Wednesday, January 15, 2020, the University of Georgia (UGA) donated two hives and approximately 3,000 honeybees to Lee State Prison to help kick off the Master Beekeeping Prison Protecting Pollinators program at the facility.  This unique program focuses on teaching beekeeping skills in order for bee populations to continue to grow, and provides the offenders an opportunity to earn Certified Beekeeper certificates. 

“Educational and vocational programming is the key to success for offenders when they are released,” said Commissioner Timothy C. Ward. “We are thankful for the University of Georgia and our community partnerships, and the important role they play in our reentry efforts.”

As one of GDC’s many inmate reentry initiatives, the beekeeping program provides offenders the opportunity to learn the process of beekeeping, how honey benefits our communities, and allows them to build a variety of skills that will assist them in becoming contributing members of society upon release.  There are currently six GDC Beekeeping programs in facilities across the state, with more than one hundred offenders who are now Certified Beekeepers.

For more information on other GDC Beekeeping programs visit https://bit.ly/36Wxoyh.

For the WFXL story visit https://bit.ly/35XM0g8.

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About the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC)

The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 52,000 state prisoners. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state.