Kurt wants to be a role model for his daughter.
- author, phil mcdonald
- role, BBC Scotland
Peterhead prisoners are being trained to work in pub kitchens ahead of their release.
Training at HMP Grampian is led by professional chefs and includes lessons in food preparation, kitchen maintenance, time management and teamwork.
After passing an aptitude test, participants can earn a qualification in the hospitality field and receive a job offer.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) believes this will reduce reoffending rates and enable prisoners to successfully reintegrate into the community.
Kurt hopes his kitchen training will lead to a better life.
The 30-year-old father is scheduled to be released in just over three months.
He admits his life has been full of “up's and down's” but believes the future is bright.
“I want stability.”
“A lot of people who find themselves in this situation get disoriented when they actually get out,” he says.
“This gave us opportunities and job offers there.
“I want stability in life. I want change.
“I have a young girl and I want to be a good role model for her. I want to be someone she can look up to.”
Prisoners want to use their new skills after release
The course is run by pub chain Greene King, which has pledged to employ 300 released prisoners across the UK by 2025.
Gemma Patterson, a manager at one of the company's sites in South Lanarkshire, is part of a team of professional chefs leading the training.
“Certainly, when I first started, I was probably thinking about prison,” she said.
“Meeting everyone in this environment has completely changed my perception.
“They just want to find a job when they get out of prison, they want to work and they want to do well.
“If this program can help them, let’s give them a chance.”
“Realizing their potential”
Leanne Duncan, Offender Outcomes Unit Manager at HMP Grampian, said: “We are delighted to be working with Greene King and Aberdeen City Employability Team to deliver this fantastic training course to people in our care. ” he said.
“Unfortunately, many people in prison are not given the opportunity to realize their potential, develop their skills or find full-time work upon release.
“I hope that other employers understand what a positive partnership this is and that we are as forward-thinking as Greene King. “There are huge gaps in the labor market and we are committed to filling them. We have a lot of potential to fill those positions.”
Graham Briggs, head of apprenticeship and employability programs at Greene King, said the company carried out testing to identify prisoners who could benefit from the training academy.
He added: “Many precautions, policies and processes exist to ensure we select the right people to participate in our programs.
“We must maintain safety elements for our customers and team members.”
Attorney-General Angela Constance said the initiative was “a great example of work that supports and encourages successful reintegration and reintegration into society”.
