JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A handful of inmates at the Putnam County Jail are the first class graduating this week with culinary certifications, all having the goal to continue wearing a chef coat, even when they're done serving time.
A select group of applicants have been training for weeks with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office food provider, Aramark, testing out their correctional work release initiative that will not not only help them develop skills for the workforce, but also combat the staff shortages many restaurants in Northeast Florida are facing.
"It's all about reducing recidivism, so if we can make a difference in that by partnering with the Sheriff's Office, then it's something that we want to do," Putnam County Sheriff's Office Food Service Director Craig Cargill told First Coast News.
One of the soon-to-be chefs, Reynaldo Bryant, said the program not only helped him cope with missing cooking in his own kitchen, but is reigniting his hope for a stable life outside of incarceration.
"Some inmates that come here, they come here with no experience," Bryant said. "So, getting into this program helps when they get out because a lot of these people don't have that type of life, they don’t have money, they don't have education, or they don't have experience in food service. So, coming here and getting experience, gives them something to look forward to."
The Putnam County Sheriff's Office is working with current and new restaurants owners in Palatka to place former inmates in the open spots in their kitchens after their release dates.