Cups of coffee brewed by inmates at Selarang Park Complex. - ST/ANN
SINGAPORE: Inmates are brewing up a storm learning to be baristas or training for a career in hospitality as part of efforts to equip themselves with skills for life after prison.
Amid the whizz and bang of cups, coffee machines and cappuccinos, the inmates learn to pull a perfect cuppa while a lecturer from Republic Polytechnic (RP) takes them through the finer points of learning to be a barista.
One inmate, Firdaus (not his real name), said: “The course is very interesting, I really enjoyed it. The trainers showed great patience when guiding us, and helped us understand the basics of coffee making.”
The Straits Times visited the prison in Selarang Park Complex recently to observe about 10 inmates who are the latest batch to attend a barista training course – one of five hospitality courses taught by RP lecturers.
One inmate, Ridwan (not his real name), said he particularly enjoyed the practical sessions in the barista course.
He said: “The trainers were knowledgeable and passionate. I particularly enjoyed the practical sessions. This course has provided a start point from where I can explore a career choice as a barista in future.”
For those who know nothing about coffee, the Barista Upskill Certification Programme Level 1 course covers all the basics, said course instructor Yenny Zein.
“We teach from zero – the different beverages, how to do espresso extraction, what affects the extraction, and cafe operations,” said Zein, who is a lecturer in the RP diploma in hotel and leisure management course.
“We also teach general knowledge on coffee, how much it costs to make a cup of coffee – since so many of them aspire to open their own businesses.”
The programme, which began in May 2024, includes four other courses that cover skills such as guest interaction, customer relationship management, professional grooming and etiquette, and food safety.
About 20 lecturers teach the five courses on rotation.
More than 1,000 inmates have attended the courses, which each take one to three days to complete. There is a mix of practical and theory lessons and assessment, after which inmates get certificates.
The idea of imparting hospitality skills to inmates first came to Adeline Lee, RP’s assistant programme chair of diploma in hotel and leisure management, back in 2023.
She said: “Having spent over 15 years in the hospitality industry, I know that the sector offers rewarding and fulfilling career opportunities, and also multiple pathways for personal and professional growth.
“This inspired me to approach Yellow Ribbon Singapore to explore the possibility of training programmes tailored for inmates.
“The core mission behind this is to provide a second chance, help them transform their lives, and prepare them for a better future.” (Yellow Ribbon Singapore is a statutory board under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is part of the Singapore correctional system and is a strategic partner of the Singapore Prison Service.)
Several inmates said attending the courses sparked an interest in hospitality for them.
“It was refreshing to have facilitators who are passionate about teaching us skills that help increase our job opportunities upon our release,” said Derick (not his real name).
Lee, who teaches the WSQ Interact with Guests and Serve Food and Beverage course, said the bulk of the content is teaching inmates how to serve customers in a restaurant setting.
She said: “We teach skills such as table setting, how to receive guests, the whole service procedure, and teaching them restaurant operations.
“We also have theory lessons, to teach them how to manage guest complaints, present a check, for example.”
Despite the long trek to the complex and unconventional classroom setting, the lecturers said it is well-worth their time to feed the inmates hunger for learning.
“We teach mostly Generation Z students in school, and usually nobody wants to ask questions in class. But the inmates, they just ask, and they are not shy about it,” said Zein.
Aaron Chua, who teaches the WSQ Food Safety Course Level 1, said: “The inmates really treasure the opportunity, and that’s the big difference.
“They feel that it is a big opportunity, getting a certificate and the chance to do something different, and they really treasure it. They dig out all kinds of information from the person who is teaching.”
In response to queries, a Yellow Ribbon spokeswoman said her organisation works with learning institutions with the aim of upskilling inmates and preparing them for future employment.
Apart from Selarang, RP also conducts courses for inmates in Changi Prison Complex, a spokeswoman said.
Inmates are eligible for skills training, and can volunteer to attend, she added.
She said: “Through our assessment, the hospitality industry is one of the common industries that inmates are emplaced in, aside from food and beverage, logistics and manufacturing industries.”
Though the main objective of the programme is to help inmates learn new skills, Lee said she hopes the programme will empower them to believe in their own potential to succeed.
“We don’t want to just be a training provider, but to also instill a sense of hope for their future,” said Lee.
“Many of them are not sure what they can do, but through conversations with their instructors, we hope to help them build confidence and self-worth, and help them realise that there is so much that they can contribute to society.” - The Straits Times/ANN
