PROJECT SUPPLIED BY ARCUS AUSTRALIA, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
program and the results it provides in assisting prisoners to successfully reintegrate into the community. Controls on the program are very strict. Prisoners are not, for instance, permitted to sample seafood, or exotic fruits and vegetables due to their “luxury” classification. However, as part of their training, they are permitted to cook a single dish using the ingredients – which is then served to a staff member or visitor. Such control has not dimmed the appeal of the program though, nor prevented prisoners from receiving valuable experience. “Since we opened the kitchen, the apprentices have all worked extremely hard,” says Peter. “They often come an hour and a half early to work and finally have some kind of purpose.”
IN THE KITCHEN The range of cooking the apprentices need to complete is significant. As well as producing meals for staff and visitors, they also produce food for internal functions, and the visitor’s café. The line-up of Moffat equipment includes a Convotherm gas 20.10CCET, electric 10.10CCET, Waldorf 800 ranges and fryers, as well as other Washtech, Crown and Friginox equipment. “We chose Moffat as we want our apprentices to use the same equipment that they will in the outside world. We asked ourselves which equipment would give the students the best possible advantage,” says Food Service Team Leader Peter Tischhauser.
“Many of our apprentices never felt particularly good at anything - and this makes them realise they can be good at something. It gives them self-esteem, discipline and a lot of self-pride,” he says. “They [prisoners] will often work all day on their apprenticeships, and then they go home [return to their unit] and read and study. Most of them are very keen, and the program has been very successful.” An indication of this success is the recent expansion of the kitchen facility. The prison has created, in partnership with Moffat, a new commercial-grade kitchen and hospitality suite featuring the latest technology and equipment.
27