K
evin Solomon, 28, is a baker with
over 450 hours of culinary arts.
Nathaniel Rubio, 30, and Pedro
Apachito, 31, are diet aids who are responsible
for people with dietary restrictions, such as
Crohn's and Celiac Disease. But Solomon,
Rubio and Apachito all have something
in common other than their love of food.
They are inmates at the Bernalillo County
Metropolitan Detention Center, and students
in the jail’s In2Work Program.
“The program helps us restart and gives us
another chance to be a productive member
of society,” says inmate David Wright, 29.
Aramark created In2Work in an effort
to keep inmates from returning to jail
by training them in restaurant skills and
practices. The curriculum includes kitchen
basics, such as personal hygiene and food
safety and customer service.
Paul Tucker is the In2Work instructor at
the detention center and has over 39 years
as a food service officer in the military. He
instructed the In2Work course in Santa Fe
prior to coming to Albuquerque in February.
Tucker found an interest in In2Work because
he says he believes in the program.
“I have students in my class that have come up
to me and said ‘Paul, you told me how someone
should wash their hands and I saw someone
doing it wrong, so I helped them’,” says Tucker.
“That really shows I am doing my job.”
development
by Ashley Novachich, Communications Specialist
from Jumpsuits
to Chef Hats
In2Work:
continue
However, though the program is open to all
the inmates, Tucker does not let just anyone
into his classes. He interviews them to see
why they want to join the program and
those he believes will stay motivated and be
successful can join. To set the students up
for success he also includes resume writing
and mock interviews.
During the mock interview, they are taught
not to tell people too many details about
themselves to avoid judgment and to focus
on their positive traits. The inmates also
receive help in building their confidence
and changing their attitudes for the better.
“The political term is returning citizens,
not offenders,” says Agnes Cardenas,
Inmate Services Specialist. “It is important
to understand they want a better life for
themselves. They have a certificate and they
want to improve.”
Unfortunately, there is a negative attitude
around the returning citizens in the outside
world.
“Many people disagree with the program
because they think inmates don’t deserve
it,” says Cardenas. “There is a stigma that
people have which makes it harder for
inmates to find jobs when they get out.”
Lack of employment and housing are two
of the main reasons inmates return to the
jail, says Cardenas. The program focuses on
the reintegration as well as helps with job
placement before the inmates are released.
At the moment, Tucker has two previous
students with jobs lined up.
“It’s important to have a network to not
treat them badly and let people know we do
not want them back in here,” says Cardenas.
One teaching strategy Tucker believes in
"I choke up when
talking about them at
graduation because I
feel so connected to
these guys." –
Paul Tucker
4th Quarter 2013-2014 7
