Cardiff Prison Restaurant Planned

12th April 2012

Cardiff Prison is set to open a restaurant run by inmates in September. If the plans are approved by Cardiff Council, it will be the second restaurant of its kind after the first opened at HMP High Down in Sutton, Surrey, three years ago.

The meals would be cooked and served by inmates of the Category B prison who will be paid about £15 for a five-day working week. Diners will need high level security clearance, undergo a body search on arrival and have to hand over their mobile phones. Other security measures would include plastic cutlery and a ban on alcohol.

A statement issued by The Clink Charity, the charity behind the concept, said: "This is an exciting project and a step in the right direction for the charity and its goal of reducing re-offending rates of ex-offenders by training them and finding them full-time employment within the hospitality industry upon their release. All income generated from the restaurant will go towards the running and operating costs of the restaurant which will be supplemented by donations and funding from philanthropic supporters."

Source: WalesOnline