Imagine This: A Sandwich Shop Behind the Wires
I was chatting with my cellie one afternoon, where we were discussing how little rehabilitation really goes on behind the wires. We both made a remarkably similar set of observations about how there are few to no jobs at most prison camps, and how much of a shame that is.
He remarked that there are people who hit prison at age 16, 17, 18, 19, who have never had a real job before, who made a mistake that cost them the next 15-30 years of their lives. If nothing changes, they get out of prison in their 30s, their 40s, possibly even their 50s without having ever held a job, and there is little to nothing in our network of prisons to give that person a fighting chance to show and/or earn their improvement.
This, I agreed, sets a person up to come back to 1 Prison Loop, Anycamp, FL.
I said something of that nature back in June of 2023, and unfortunately, prison is small, angry circles.
To wit, Geoffrey of that post ended up here at Blessington last year. He actually finished his sentence (that is, EOS'd) in 2024, only to come back in early 2025. His lament, when he saw and remembered me? He still does not understand computers, and does not have a large skill set to fall back on.
So, prison failed him. You're paying for this, taxpayers, as much as he is. 🙁
Fix it, One sandwich at a time.
I had this thought of a prison running a sandwich shop behind the fences, staffed by residents, with food purchasable by residents, visitors, and staff. It serves multiple penological and rehabilitative interests if run properly. Here's how I'd lead people in to working there:
Technology
First, a basic computer course. How to navigate and interact with an operating system, how to use basic applications, how to interact with a webpage. This is a course that you can test out of (because some people actually do know how to do these things), but it must be offered before one moves on to phase two.
How that serves rehabilitative interests: This one's for Geoffrey. His lament, turned into rehabilitative action, addresses much of the prison population and their lack of know-how on logging in to a computer, using a digital time card system of some sort, and feeling comfortable enough to handle customer interactions that may require the computer. He told me on his previous prison bid that he got a job at a dollar store, and couldn't figure out how to punch in and out -- not punching in and out means not getting paid for your labor -- and because of this, he returned to his life of crime just to pay for his basic needs.
Waiting until he leaves to get access to a basic computer class at a senior center is disingenuous to foist upon someone; be it through my sandwich shop program, or something that ALL prison institutions need to offer standalone (and do not), he should have a proper chance to learn now, while he is here.
Food Safety
Next, to work in the sandwich shop, you must take a class for, test for and successfully earn a Food Handler's Permit (or better). No loopholes. No exceptions. You MUST learn basic food safety (again, in some cases) after living in a world where people put Tuesday night's chicken leg quarter in a bowl, then into their locker for eating on Wednesday night (no refrigerator or microwave at all, mind you).
How that serves rehabilitative interests: You are teaching food safety to people, and for those near the cusp of release, sending them out with a permit that puts them leg up over someone who does not know that the five second rule is actually the zero second rule, throw it out. You are teaching job skills to people.
Training and Food Handling
Then, we offer training on handling sliced meats and vegetables, as well as breads, including the proper way to make sandwiches first, how your cold storage for items should be set up, reasons why we do not cross-use condiment spreaders, and so on.
How that serves rehabilitative interests: You're teaching job skills and refreshing their food handler training at the same time, plain and simple. Whether this leads to someone becoming a Sandwich Artist at Subway or working as a team member at a Jersey Mike's, or making these tasty Publix Subs I've been hearing about, or maybe even inspiring them to run a sub sandwich food truck with a couple of friends, it puts them into a place of self-empowerment.
Customer Service and Social Skills
Then, you teach them how to put their customer service face on: how to deal with customers across the attitude spectrum (from joyous to irate) without letting your emotions rule the day.
How that serves rehabilitative interests: you have a bunch of people who may be used to how "customer service" works in their old job of license-free corner pharmaceutical 'technician'. You can't just go skengman mode on everyone that comes back and complains, "I asked for no f---ing mayo on this sandwich!" -- you have to learn how to swallow the knife's blade without tearing yourself up inside.
"My apologies, sir. I'll get this remade for you. Turkey and Avocado, with Dijon mustard, tomatoes, lettuce, and onions, no cheese, no mayonnaise, correct?"
We teach that we must actually live the changes we want to see in others, for hostilities do not cease through further hostility; they cease through love alone.
Pay
Finally, you pay the employees. Even if it's just $4.66/hour (1/4 Florida's minimum wage), you pay them.
Show these people their dedication to learning their job has a meaning. Give them something worth putting on their résumé as they head toward the fences to a fresh start outside.
There is certainly more to flesh out on this idea, but overall, it would be amazing to see something like this offered. I'd wager that visitors seeing their loved ones here would rather eat a handcrafted sandwich than a gas station chicken sandwich with their son, husband, nephew.
Let's give this to everyone here, shall we?