Georgia Prison Beekeeping Program

The first prison beekeeping program in Georgia started in 2014 at Smith State Prison. Since then, beekeeping programs have been started in many prisons across the state. These programs have been successful through the coordinated efforts of the Georgia Beekeepers Association, local beekeeping clubs, the Georgia Department of Corrections, and the University of Georgia Honey Bee Program. 

Prison beekeeping programs have provided  valuable education for incarcerated individuals. Since 2014, many incarcerated beekeepers have taken the Certified beekeeper test through the University of Georgia, and some have achieved the rank  of Master Beekeeper.

Contacts

Julia Mahood, GBA Prison Committee Chair,  julia@mahoodstudio.com
Jennifer Berry, University of Georgia, jbee@uga.edu