Prisoners Build Homes for Hedgehogs

Inmates at HMP La Moye have been actively contributing to local wildlife conservation by constructing essential housing for hedgehogs. The prisoners utilized reclaimed pallet timber to build 20 specialized feeding and nesting boxes for the Jersey Hedgehog Preservation Group. This initiative, which began with a chance encounter between a prison officer and a charity representative, has proven beneficial on multiple fronts.

The project has successfully raised funds for the charity, with all 20 feeding boxes selling out and a few nesting boxes remaining. The proceeds from these sales directly support the preservation efforts for hedgehogs. Beyond the direct impact on animal welfare, the scheme provides inmates with practical vocational training, including carpentry skills, health and safety practices, and experience with machinery.

Vocational manager Peter Gould highlighted the broader benefits for the prisoners, emphasizing how such projects foster a sense of purpose, achievement, and community connection. These elements are considered invaluable in helping to reduce reoffending rates. The hedgehog box project is part of a wider array of vocational activities at the prison, which also include refurbishing bikes and restoring memorial benches.