‘I see myself successful’: New program at Mass. jail prepares inmates for careers in food service

One of the surest ways to improve someone’s life is to make sure they have a steady job.

That can be tough to obtain for someone with a criminal record.

Now a new program at that Norfolk County Correctional Center in Dedham is trying to change that by teaching inmates to cook.

At the end of the program, each inmate will receive an official certification which should help them get work in the food services industry.

“We have given them knowledge on food safety, on sanitation, on cooking methods, on food storage,” said Rebecca Queeney, a culinary instructor with the Snapchef Foundation.

Calvin Brown is one of the five inmates who was accepted into the program.

“It’ll give us a step forward so when we get out, we’re not just going out and starting from ground zero. It’s big for our confidence.”

Norfolk County Patrick McDermott used a grant to partner with the Snapchef Foundation, a non-profit focused on getting underserved communities into the food service industry.

“I am constantly looking to put myself out of business. So how do we do that? We reduce recidivism,” said McDermott. “We want to make sure that there is no excuse for people to have to be coming back into the criminal justice system and it starts with a job.”

A quick visit to www.indeed.com showed many open positions in restaurants thru out the area.

McDermott believes a program like this is a good investment because it can cost about $100,000 to house an inmate in Massachusetts each year.

“These individuals are coming back to live in your community. They are your neighbor, they are your family, they’re going to be your friend. So, we might as well make sure that the returning citizen is that much better equipped to be a good citizen.”

Dwan Knight is hoping this program creates a lot of opportunities for him.

He wants to become a good role model for his children.

“I want my son and my daughters to know daddy went to work. He did everything he could to make sure we was good. He put food on the table. I don’t want to them to go thru the things I went thru growing up.”

When the men do get jobs, Snapchef will still be supporting them.

Social Worker Matilda Holland said, “Were checking in weekly, making sure they have what they need to get to work, to get to work on time, and to be successful in the workplace.”

A healthy buffet of job skills and emotional support is sending Isaiah Wilson’s confidence to new heights.

It’s also letting him dream about tomorrow.

“See myself in five years? I see myself successful in any field that I have my hand in. Raising my children and showing them the right way. That you can turn a negative into a positive no matter what it is.”

Sheriff McDermott is hoping the grant will be renewed so they can continue, and even expand, the program.

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