The Oswin Project is expanding its commercial bakery enterprise at HMP Northumberland.

A joint venture between the charity and Sodexo, operators of the prison, will see the growth of this Oswin enterprise thanks to grant funding from Scottish Power, The Community Foundation, St Hilda’s Trust, The Convey Trust and the O’Flaherty Foundation.

This will be achieved through the transformation of a disused prison kitchen into state-of-the-art new premises.

It will enable The Oswin Project to meet the ever-growing demand for its highly popular bread, pies, quiches and cakes, and to expand its outside catering offer plus add new lines.

The latest step for the project is the transformation of a disused prison kitchen into state-of-the-art new premises.

placeholder image — The latest step for the project is the transformation of a disused prison kitchen into state-of-the-art new premises.

Run by a mix of professional staff and volunteers, it will also allow the charity to offer up to an additional 20 training places to serving prisoners – taking the total number to up to 30 working in the catering enterprises at HMP Northumberland.

These candidates will gain food safety qualifications, as well as learning specialised baking techniques suitable for any bakery.

An official opening to celebrate the commencement of the project took place at the prison, which is located near Acklington, providing invited guests and sponsors with the chance to see the new facilities.

Fiona Sample, chief executive officer at The Oswin Project, said: “We all want safer communities and fewer victims of crime, that is why the Oswin Project’s Baking Out project is so important.

“Through giving prisoners the opportunity to work and learn, underpinned by mentoring, we put a wedge in the revolving door of reoffending.”

The Oswin Project provides an award-winning rehabilitation programme that seeks to break the cycle of reoffending by providing those who have criminal records, but are determined to build a positive future when they are back in society, with the skills, support and opportunities that they will need.

Oswin baked goods are already available in the Café 16s, which are located within HMP Northumberland and Newcastle Cathedral, as well as in the prison-based farm shop and through local outlets including Lesbury community shop, The Alnwick Garden and Foxton Golf Club.

Ingredients will continue to be sourced locally wherever possible.

Vicky Robinson, director at HMP Northumberland, said: “The new bakery is a fantastic addition to an already diverse portfolio of purposeful activities we provide our prisoners.”