Roasting behind bars
At our roastery inside HMP The Mount we don’t just roast all of our coffee, we also employ prison residents and teach them practical skills in coffee roasting, production and logistics. These skills build their confidence and improve their self-esteem. We pay above the standard rate for prison employment, with a portion of wages set aside to access upon their release from prison, giving them a headstart when they reintegrate into society.
OUR ROASTERY
Coffee training behind bars
At our barista academies inside HMP High Down and HMP Pentonville, our trainers teach prison residents all the skills they need to become coffee masters. Over several weeks students are taught how to dial in a grinder, pull espresso shots to a specific recipe and pour latte art. At the end of the course, all learners are assessed on their theoretical and practical knowledge and awarded a grade. We also provide one-to-one case management to maximise the likelihood of Participants successfully transitioning into sustainable employment.
Community coffee training
Our community training extends our reach beyond prison walls to train prison leavers and individuals identified ‘at risk of offending’ with the skills needed to work in coffee and beyond. We have a community barista academy located in our King’s Cross HQ with two bespoke training rooms and high spec kit to give our Participants the best start as baristas. Our community trainer also provides training to prison leavers outside of our HQ.
Employment at Redemption
Our model is unique. Not only do we train prison leavers and people at risk of offending with the skills they need for a career, we then work to place them in a suitable role either in one of our coffee shops, or within our wider network of partners. If placed at one of our shops, our Participants work alongside our team of highly skilled baristas and managers. We support sustainable employment, through weekly check-ins with our internal caseworkers. Providing an ongoing package of support across wellbeing, developmental, financial and legal support.
