The cooking present, filmed and edited contained in the Macquarie Correctional Centre, is played all through the jail for different inmates and teaches prisoners invaluable expertise that they’ll use as soon as they’ve served their time.
In a single particular episode, inmates Tareek and Andy present inmates how they’ll prepare dinner gravy utilizing the meals out there to them contained in the jail.
The concept for a gravy-focused episode got here from Paul Kelly’s Christmas music Methods to Make Gravy, which dubbed December 21 as “Gravy Day”.
Governor Brett Lees mentioned the initiative brings inmates collectively when they’re at their most weak.
“As Paul Kelly captured in his iconic music, Christmas is a very tough time for folks in custody and being absent from household gatherings actually takes a toll on their psychological well being and wellbeing,” Lees mentioned.
“This cooking present not solely encourages inmates to take part within the festive season, however the expertise realized by way of the method present them with better employment choices and a possibility to make actual ‘gravy’ upon their launch and help their households.”
The present, which airs on Mac Television, has centered on a couple of festive meals this vacation season, together with a trifle, gingerbread males and even roast beef.
Inmate Isaac, who frequents the present, mentioned collaborating within the cooking collection has helped inmates who have been struggling in jail.
“It isn’t nice for any inmate to be in custody presently of the yr, so we maintain busy with writing letters to household and collaborating in applications” he mentioned.
“I really feel very privileged to have the chance to take part in applications like this whereas in custody, to additional rehabilitate and use my time productively.”
Inmates are eligible to take part if they’ve demonstrated good behaviour.
Corrective Companies NSW Deputy Commissioner Anne-Marie Martin mentioned the cooking present is a step in the precise path, as Corrective Companies NSW attempt to push inmates in the direction of rehabilitation as an alternative of reoffending.
“We’re centered on offering folks with schooling, expertise and employment alternatives in custody as a result of they’re key components to serving to flip peoples’ lives round,” Martin mentioned.
“Our final objective is to rehabilitate as many individuals as attainable, so they don’t seem to be remoted from their family members at Christmas or anytime.”
Kelly’s music Methods to Make Gravy options an incarcerated man, Joe, who shares his gravy recipe together with his brother, who should take over the gravy-making duties on Christmas, as Joe stays in jail.
