Prison course takes the cake

An Otago Corrections Facility prisoner adds the finishing touches to a celebratory cake marking...
An Otago Corrections Facility prisoner adds the finishing touches to a celebratory cake marking the prison drug treatment unit's 75th graduation. Supplied photo

Prisoners are cooking up new opportunities at the Otago Corrections Facility.

Five prisoners have graduated with a Level 2 National Certificate in Baking qualification.

Baked goods, jams and relishes made by the prisoners were either frozen to form part of the prison menu or given to local community groups such as a kindergarten, the Presbyterian Support foodbank and the fire brigade.

Assistant prison director industries rehabilitation and learning Gill Brown said the training was intended to help find the prisoners employment after release.

"It's part of the focus for us to train people into employment that there are jobs available in,'' Ms Brown said.

"In the Southern region, there is quite a lot of hospitality work. This is the first step in getting them training specific to cafe work.''

Prisoners were heavily involved in the production of a special celebratory cake to mark the 75th graduation from the prison's drug treatment unit, Ms Brown said.

"They did everything from deciding on the style of cake and baking it right through to the decoration.''

Hospitality tutor Sally Scott said baking encouraged the prisoners to foster their creativity.

"In addition to learning a different sort of skill, the baking qualification encourages the men to use their imaginations, something they really value,'' she said.

Although the cooks had little prior baking experience, the treats were proving popular, Ms Brown said.

"Their carrot cake and their chocolate cakes [are] to die for.

"Their muffins with caramel centres are pretty popular as well.''

The programme is the first baking-specific course offered in the kitchen and an addition to the National Certificates in Hospitality and Hospitality Operations offered at the prison for the past year.

Over the last year, 58 prisoners had achieved Level 2 qualifications in either baking, food safety, hospitality or working in a safe kitchen, Ms Brown said.

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