A chain of pubs teaches prisoners how to drink beer and cook fried food correctly (2 photos)

The pub chain aims to help prisoners improve their employment rates outside the prison and reduce their chances of reoffending.





A UK pub chain has opened training centres, complete with bar counters and working kitchens, in two prisons to encourage prisoners to drink beer and cook roasts instead of committing crime.

The project helps prisoners find work in the company's more than 2,700 hostels instead of returning to crime.

"Release Potential" is a perfect name because many people who leave prison have the potential to become great colleagues, said Prisons Secretary Lord Timpson.

The same pub chain has hired 275 ex-prisoners to work in its establishments since 2019. The company works with 65 pubs across the UK and has committed to employing 400 ex-offenders by the end of 2025.



Its prison kitchens allow up to 60 prisoners a year to develop new pub skills, and each facility mimics a real pub, although alcohol is strictly banned.

"The opening of our two new training kitchens at Onley and Perth Correctional Institutions is a really important part of our ongoing commitment to providing opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background. The new kitchens are an important next step in our Release Potential programme, which helps provide ex-prisoners with the jobs and skills they need to build long-term careers in hospitality and successful rehabilitation," said Nick Mackenzie, general manager of the pub chain.

Prisoners are keen to take part in programmes like these.

"While I was in custody I was very unsure about what the future held for me... I needed to make some commitments in terms of work and I've always loved cooking, so I decided to take part in the programme," said prisoner Terry.