By deploying high-tech vertical farms inside prison walls, AmplifiedAg is creating a new path for incarcerated individuals, one that leads away from recidivism and toward specialized careers in the growing ag-tech sector. Flynn says agriculture reentry programs have the lowest recidivism rate — at 19% —among any other programming.

Beginning next month, inmates at South Carolina’s women’s prison will be able to receive agricultural training and a stipend upon release with the help of a statewide grant program.

The South Carolina philanthropy Power:Ed announced a $97,000 grant this month to the nonprofit Impact Justice, which is working with the state Department of Corrections to run the agricultural program at the state’s prison for women.

Beyond growing an expected 48,000 pounds of lettuce each year for the prison’s kitchens, the program is meant to train women in the fast-growing field of hydroponics, which means growing plants in water instead of soil, to help them get jobs soon after leaving prison.