A recent initiative to examine and improve the health of the environment at all MTC facilities is taking root – literally.

“We’ve added as much greenery as we can,” says Bill DeRevere, facility director of the MTC-operated Imperial Regional Detention Facility in Calexico, California. “The plants up and down the hallways and inside the housing units and living areas. Just about everywhere that we can to help bring a little bit of life to what sometimes is a colder environment.”

The facility has added plants, new colors, wall art, and even a water feature to enhance the environment for staff and residents.

“Anytime you can change things up and add a little bit of color to life, it’s amazing what that can do for someone’s mental health,” says Bill.

In a place where long hallways echo and the sound of doors shutting is loud and frequent, the calming sound of water and the beauty of nature help balance the reality of working and living in a detention facility.

Bill is a big proponent of adding plants to the hallways and housing units.

“Not only does it help cleanse the air, but it adds a sense of life,” he says.

So, what does MTC’s partner, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), think about adding all the greenery to the facility?

“I will be honest with you on the plants,” explains Acting Deputy Field Officer Director Joseph Suazo, Jr. “The first time the warden mentioned the plants, I was thinking ‘I don’t think we should do that’.”

He was skeptical at first, but it grew on him.

“I did see a difference, and I think it just keeps the detainees in a more relaxing environment.”

For Imperial staff, the plants, new colors, and other enhancements to the environment

fit right into their broader mission to treat residents with dignity and respect and to help them improve their situations.

“It’s how we communicate and how we work with our residents, spending a little bit of time with them, telling them ‘Happy Birthday’, telling them ‘Thank You’ for a job well done or just to have a good day,” says Bill.