London Business Leaders Dine in the Clink
Posted on Thursday 3rd December 2009 in News
It wouldn't normally make the news, but London's business leaders were treated to a gourmet lunch with a difference today, as food was prepared and served by inmates working in the Highdown Prison restaurant.
Organised by the Safer London Foundation (SLF), the Metropolitan Police Charity, companies experienced first-hand culinary skills of offenders who are training to be chefs, kitchen staff and waiters, so that they may gain work and make a positive contribution to society following their release.
Tony Shepherd, Safer London Foundation Chief Executive, said:
"This was a power lunch with a difference. We're asking London companies to think seriously about helping to guide ex-offenders back into work, possibly by mentoring, training and employing them.
"Many ex-offenders have untapped reservoirs of skills and talent which can benefit employers. Equally, most clearly possess a huge sense of personal responsibility and drive to make a positive payback into society."
The event promoted the Aspire Programme, run by the Safer London Foundation, to work with serving prisoners and ex-offenders in order to support them back into work and training.
The Clink Restaurant at HMP Highdown in Sutton is the only one of its kind in the country. It was the idea of Chef Alberto Crisci MBE (winner of the Butler Trust and BBC Radio Four's Food & Farming Awards) to train British prisoners in becoming chefs and catering staff that will help them to find work on their release.
More than 46,000 people are released from prison in England and Wales each year. Research shows that those with a job are up to 50% less likely to re-offend.
The SLF is the charitable arm of the Metropolitan Police Service and works to help make London a safer place to live, work and visit.
If you live in London and you are interested in joining the Aspire Programme, please email: aspire@saferlondonfoundation.org.
Further Information: Contact Jill Andrews at the Safer London Foundation on 0207 021 0301
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