Feature
Serving Time Cafe
Provides Both
G ood E ats
and
Inmate Job Training
By Andy Iacona
S
itting just outside the wire of the Utah State
Prison (USP), in full view of the beautiful
Wasatch Mountains, is a nondescript, double-wide modular building that houses Serving
Time Cafe. Serving Time Cafe is one of many Utah
Correctional Industries (UCI) programs that provide additional training, skills and opportunities for
inmates incarcerated within the Utah Department of
Corrections (UDC) in preparation for the transition
to success outside prison fences. UCI provides work
programs for inmates incarcerated at USP and has
been a part of the prison structure since the late
1800s. Some earlier work consisted of manufacturing
license plates and signage. Today, UCI operates over
18 cost accounting centers (work programs), providing 700 inmates the opportunity to work in business
settings similar to the outside world. On Dec. 7, 2009,
UCI opened the doors to Serving Time Cafe, with
the expectation of providing good food for reasonable prices and creating a unique dining experience
just outside the prison’s fences. These expectations
would be met with inmates preparing, cooking and
serving food to customers.
Overview of the Cafe
UCI’s mission statement emphasizes the role of
reducing inmate recidivism by providing inmates
meaningful jobs in settings that resemble life outside prison, with opportunities to learn job skills,
obtain work ethics and make lasting changes. Today,
Serving Time Cafe provides eight female offenders
an opportunity to work in a fast-paced restaurant.
Inmates are involved in nearly every working aspect
of the cafe, including establishing a menu, identifying
daily specials, ordering necessary raw goods, taking
inventory, preparing food, baking, grilling, frying,
fulfilling orders and delivering food to customers.
Inmates work closely with the staff to make sure that
customers are satisfied and that orders are filled
accurately and in a timely manner. Inmates are working to exceed customers’ expectations.
Serving Time Cafe equips inmates with skills and
tools that are proven to help them succeed after they
are released from prison. Inmates who desire to work
at Serving Time Cafe are encouraged to complete
a culinary arts program in preparation for a work
opportunity. With some initial schooling or training, inmates become familiar with the expectations
and rigor of working in the food services industry.
They get a taste of what the work will entail and
can make a decision if this type of work is right for
them. Inmates who are hired are cross-trained in all
stations; this provides them with the various skills
required for each area of the cafe and ensures a
smooth transition when inmates are paroled, moved
or released. Inmates who work at the cafe have the
unique opportunity to interact with customers on a
daily basis and develop valuable communication
and interpersonal skills that will carry over
into any business environment. They learn
to show up to work on time, present themselves in a friendly and courteous manner, follow instructions and take pride in
their work.
In an effort to expand business and
offer additional inmate opportunities
at Serving Time Cafe, staff looked at
incorporating the prison environment
into the cafe atmosphere. Menu items
were given names that reflect prison life,
such as the “Prison Blues Burger,” the “Jail
Bird Chicken Sandwich” and the “Captain
A display of “Felony” desserts tempts customers.
Burger.” The menu board is updated each morning
with the daily specials, listed as “Daily Infractions.”
Cookies, cakes and desserts are listed as “Felonies,”
while salads and other healthy alternatives are identified as “Good Behavior.” License plates stamped
with “Order here” and “Pick up here” direct customers to the appropriate location. Promotional
items such as hats, T-shirts, aprons and coffee mugs
have been designed with the Serving Time Cafe logo
and a prison ID number of 12072009 (reflecting the
cafe’s opening date) with razor wire surrounding
the numbers. Customers continually comment on
the uniqueness of Serving Time Cafe. Where else can
one go to eat at a prison without actually being
incarcerated?
Photos courtesy Utah Department of Corrections
A cafe supervisor grills up breakfast.
Historic prison photos help create the cafe’s unique atmosphere.
items, on a smaller scale, to inmates who are not
working (such as desserts on special occasions). The
intent would be to allow all inmates the opportunity
to purchase something from the cafe.
Conclusion
UDC Support
Serving Time Cafe has established a loyal customer following from UDC staff and local businesses.
Many customers are UDC officers who are unable to
leave their posts. The cafe has established a delivery
schedule that allows officers to order meals and have
them delivered to specific work checkpoint locations.
This has proven to be a valuable service for the officers. Businesses in the surrounding area have found
a great place to eat breakfast and lunch with their
coworkers; the cafe has created areas where businesses can conduct working lunches, and some have
called upon the cafe to cater at their offsite places of
business. Many of the customers frequenting the cafe
become familiar with the inmates and inquire to the
supervising officer about job placement for inmates
upon release. The experience has proven to be very
beneficial for several inmates in helping them find
gainful employment after prison.
For the past year, the cafe has been providing
inmates who work within USP the opportunity to
purchase meals twice a month. This has encouraged
inmates to strive to obtain a job in any capacity
within the institution; only inmates who are working
have the opportunity to purchase meals. Qualifying
inmates are provided a menu each month in advance
that describes the meals available for purchase.
Ordering is completed only within an inmate’s work
area. Inmates who order pay for the meal from their
inmate funds and receive the meal on a scheduled
day and time. UCI officers ensure all meals are delivered as intended and that no unauthorized items are
being passed. Allowing inmates to purchase meals
has provided additional work opportunities for cafe
staff and has proved to be a great management tool
for the institution. The cafe is looking at providing
As Serving Time Cafe has grown and established
a loyal customer base, local media outlets have featured stories on the inmate program, demonstrating
support and sharing the message of training inmates,
building tangible skills and providing opportunities
for inmates to succeed. Serving Time Cafe recently
made the community-based online network 24 Salt
Lake’s list of “12 Delicious Lunch Spots South of SLC
Everyone Should Try.” Online news service Capital
West News ran an article that discussed the establishment of Serving Time Cafe and the impact it has
had on inmates. Also, Salt Lake City CBS affiliate
KUTV 2 News did an extensive story on the benefits
of the program to inmate participants. Through the
continued intrigue of local media outlets, Serving
Time Cafe will be able to expand awareness of the
program and the effect it has on the inmate participants, leading to greater work opportunities once
they are released from prison.
UCI has worked hard to implement successful
business programs that positively affect and provide
opportunities for change in inmates’ lives. In fulfilling
UCI’s mission statement, Serving Time Cafe has been
able to provide inmates with meaningful jobs in a
setting that mimics the outside world, with opportunities to learn job skills, obtain work ethics and
make lasting changes. When this is accomplished, an
inmate is less likely to return to prison. Serving Time
Cafe is changing lives and serving success.
Andy Iacona is a marketing manager/
officer in the Utah Correctional Industries Division of the Utah Department of
Corrections.