Tell of working life in the kitchens

my way and got into drugs. I’m in for possession myself.”

His friend and colleague, who told us he was “in for something similar”, has just 18 months left on his sentence — and hopes to gain employment in a local hotel or restaurant upon release.

He said: “You don’t know what to expect coming in here. It’s seven days a week, eight hours a day.

“The other option is to be locked in a cell behind a door. You have a reasonable amount of free time in the kitchen so it makes the time easier.”

Also speaking to us was former prisoner Miren Rakovac, who gained employment with the Trigon Hotel group in Cork upon his release.

Miren, who served a prison sentence for possession of drugs, said the course in prison changed his life for the better.

He said: “It helped me a lot to get out of prison and reintegrate into society. I really appreciate what the prison system did for me.

“They did a good job and helped me develop my skills. I did two and a half years and I wouldn’t go into details if that’s ok. “I’m staying out of trouble and go to work regularly and that’s all. I’m happy with where I am at the moment.”

Alex Pettit, Group Head Chef at Trigon Hotels, said he was looking forward to the impressive three-course menu put on by six prisoners — as he spoke about employing ex-cons.

Alex said: “We’ve been very involved from the start with the Open Door programme. It’s actually a funny one because they work in the prison seven days a week — feeding 300 prisoners a day.

Transition

“So when they come out of that into our hotels, restaurants, cafes, wherever it is they work, five days a week or two days a week. So it’s a very easy transition for them.”

Alex told how he supports those he takes on and how it’s up to each prisoner if they want to remain private about their past.

He added: “It is their decision whether to share their past or not. We as employers put the support around them to feel confident in their role. We don’t treat them any differently from any other employees.”