Reef Ball Foundation Photos and Project Description Database

Barnegat Light on Long Beach Island. > >The gray concrete structures are the latest element of New Jersey's >artificial-reef program, which is intended to create new habitat for fish >and protect them from aquatic predators while providing new hot spots for >fishermen and divers. > >Though the "reef balls" -- their official name -- are used around the >world to build artificial reefs, they are being manufactured in New Jersey >by an unusual workforce: prisoners at the Southern >>State" alt="prisonact NJ Environmental Dept using prison labor on fisheries project Published Sunday, June 27, 1999, in the Philadelphia Inquirer. >------------------------------------------------------------ > >Prison work rehabilitates from the ocean floor on up > > >By Emilie Lounsberry >INQUIRER STAFF WRITER > >MAURICE RIVER TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- Look out, developers. New Jersey officials >are getting ready to launch an innovative style of seashore housing -- for >fish. > >This week, state officials will plunk the fish "condos" into the ocean off >Barnegat Light on Long Beach Island. > >The gray concrete structures are the latest element of New Jersey's >artificial-reef program, which is intended to create new habitat for fish >and protect them from aquatic predators while providing new hot spots for >fishermen and divers. > >Though the "reef balls" -- their official name -- are used around the >world to build artificial reefs, they are being manufactured in New Jersey >by an unusual workforce: prisoners at the Southern >>State" width="32" height="32" style="margin: 0 auto; display: block" />

NJ Environmental Dept using prison labor on fisheries project Published Sunday, June 27, 1999, in the Philadelphia Inquirer. >------------------------------------------------------------ > >Prison work rehabilitates from the ocean floor on up > > >By Emilie Lounsberry >INQUIRER STAFF WRITER > >MAURICE RIVER TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- Look out, developers. New Jersey officials >are getting ready to launch an innovative style of seashore housing -- for >fish. > >This week, state officials will plunk the fish "condos" into the ocean off >Barnegat Light on Long Beach Island. > >The gray concrete structures are the latest element of New Jersey's >artificial-reef program, which is intended to create new habitat for fish >and protect them from aquatic predators while providing new hot spots for >fishermen and divers. > >Though the "reef balls" -- their official name -- are used around the >world to build artificial reefs, they are being manufactured in New Jersey >by an unusual workforce: prisoners at the Southern >>State

Prison work rehabilitates from the ocean floor on up By Emilie Lounsberry INQUIRER STAFF WRITER MAURICE RIVER TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- Look out, developers. New Jersey officials are getting ready to launch an innovative style of seashore housing -- for fish. This week, state officials will plunk the fish "condos" into the ocean off Barnegat Light on Long Beach Island. The gray concrete structures are the latest element of New Jersey's artificial-reef program, which is intended to create new habitat for fish and protect them from aquatic predators while providing new hot spots for fishermen and divers. Though the "reef balls" -- their official name -- are used around the world to build artificial reefs, they are being manufactured in New Jersey by an unusual workforce: prisoners at the Southern State Correctional Facility in Cumberland County. The inmates, who earn $1.60 to $3.70 a day, use fiberglass molds to cast the poured concrete into 3-foot-by-4-foot structures that weigh 1,400 to 1,600 pounds each and look like igloos with holes. It is a back-breaking job, but prisoners said last week that it was satisfying work. "It's like rehabilitation," said inmate Patrick Hellriegel, 52, who is doing time for aggravated manslaughter, as he prepared the molds for a new batch of concrete. "This is the first time I felt good in years, doing this kind of work. I know it's good for the environment." Anthony Buddington, 35, of Jersey City, who is serving seven years for robbery, said he liked the idea of helping the fish......