Although it's tough to root for a father who was so delinquent in his child support payments that he was sentenced to six months in jail, the New York Times story of deadbeat Chicago dad-turned-master gardener Adolf Jerger is inspiring.
He entered the Cook County Jail in February and is scheduled for release in August. While Chicago family law attorneys would advise their clients to do everything in their power to pay court-ordered child support, it's nice to know that even jail can offer something positive.
Adolf Jerger is on his way to earning his master gardener certificate, along with 21 other inmates. The Chicago-area jail has offered training courses in horticulture, gardening and landscaping to nonviolent offenders for nearly 20 years; more than 200 inmates have completed the program.
The program generates 9,000 pounds of produce per year and has an annual operating cost of about $1,500. In addition to homeless shelters and other nonprofit organizations, some high-end restaurants also have shown interest in the jailhouse produce.
Matthias Merges, executive chef at Charlie Trotter's restaurant, said he doesn't even think about it as "jail" produce:
"They're a purveyor of something of quality, and we like to use it because what we do with our cuisine is quality-driven produce and product."
Adolf Jerger said he thinks the program is great and loves working with his hands. And more to the point, Cook County Jail officials claim the program reduces repeat offenses among those who participate.
While child support scofflaws would rather not go to jail in the first place, those who find themselves in the Cook County Jail may want to ask their Illinois family lawyer whether they qualify for the program.
Related Resources:
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Find a Divorce Attorney in Chicago (FindLaw)
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Child Support Court Trial Date Set for Bristol and Levi (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice Blog)
