The 'Sweet Release' Bakery Job Training Program at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in Maryland offers inmates the opportunity to learn valuable baking skills and gain a sense of purpose while incarcerated.
Deep within a Maryland prison, a group of inmates are choosing to rise above their pasts, transforming simple ingredients into sweet possibilities, and baking their way toward a future sprinkled with hope. The 'Sweet Release' Bakery Job Training Program inside the Montgomery County Correctional Facility (MCCF) in Boyds, Maryland is now in its seventh month after being reinstated by Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich.
Participants learn professional baking skills to prepare them for life after incarceration.During a recent visit, Ben Stevenson, the director of the county’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, told FOX 5 the program’s goals are clear: 'We’re not just making desserts. We’re giving inmates a chance to learn skills, build confidence, and prepare for employment after they leave.'Incarcerated individuals spend eight weeks learning to bake bread, cakes, cookies, and pies. The training includes practical lessons in measuring and mixing ingredients, operating professional kitchen equipment, and food safety. Graduates earn ServSafe Food Handler’s Certificates, a valuable credential in the food service industry.'It’s been a slow start, but we’re working on expanding our network to help inmates secure jobs once they graduate,' Stevenson added. 'It’s a process, but we’re committed to giving them the tools they need.'Frederick Abello, the facility’s warden, underscored the value of the program in changing inmates’ lives. 'A person that’s incarcerated needs to have something to do. This gives them a sense of purpose and something to be proud of,' he says. 'When they make these products and see how others appreciate them, it boosts their self-esteem. We’ve even had officers joke about how hard it is to button their uniforms because they keep eating the bakery products!'Ron Cox has been inside the correctional facility since July 24. He says the program has changed his perspective. 'This gives me a routine and a sense of accomplishment'
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