First ‘in-project’ supermarket opened in England’s largest prison

Can anyone take the path of normal life even while in jail? It is also difficult to think so. But after release in different countries around the world, governments are taking steps for the betterment of prisoners who came out of jail. Recently, a unique initiative was taken in England’s largest prison HMP Oakwood, which has given new hope to the prisoners. You will be surprised to know about this. Actually, Britain’s first ‘in-procedure’ supermarket is open in this prison, which prepares the prisoners for the outside world after release. A unique shop in jail, where prisoners shop, learn work and start a new start after release. The name of this store is Iceland, which last month opened his branch in HMP Oakwood Gel in Fedarrestone, Stafordshire. This is the largest prison in England, where prisoners can now buy grocery items from Monopoly Currency.

According to The Times reports, branded products such as Chaikago Town Pizza and Ben and Jearze Ice Cream are found, which are not available in jail wings. The store is part of the ‘Marketplace’ built in a huge warehouse inside the jail, which resembles a shopping center. This marketplace also has a coffee shop ‘Hopful Grounds’ along with Iceland, which is said to be that coffee maker (called Barista) is none other than the prisoner of the jail. They learn to make coffee and serve customers food and drink, so that they can work after release. Apart from this, there is also a fruit-vegetable stand and a leser store named ‘JP Sports’. In the category C jail, prisoners can earn a maximum fake currency up to a maximum of 25 pounds every week for good behavior, from which they shop. The prices here are cheaper than high street stores. The biggest feature of this store is that it gives the prisoners a job in the last days of their sentence. Some prisoners work in stores, some in coffee shop and some take training to become a delivery driver. With this, they can easily work after release.

Let us know that HMP Oakwood is one of the 15 private jails of England and Wales, which is operated by the security firm G4S. HM Chief Inspector of Prisoner Charlie Taylor described the scheme as “effective”. He described it as the best jail seen in his tenure. This is a major change for HMP Oakwood, which prisoners called “Jokewood” a decade ago. In 2013, the jail inspectors strongly criticized the increasing violence and the availability of drugs easily here. But now this jail has become an example. At the same time, Iceland’s Employment Manager Ellen Herrix (former employee of HMP Stockon) told The Times, “Many prisoners think, ‘I am in jail, now who will give me a job? My life is over.” But when they get a second chance, they hold it with both hands. ” He said, “Such prisoners reduce the possibility of committing crime again, because they get stability. They are grateful, because they did not expect someone to give them a chance.”

This marketplace was the brainchild of HMP Oakwood’s employee head Carly Balis, which identifies the prisoners suitable for the store. She gives information to Paul Cowley MBE, who is a rehabilitation director of Iceland since 2022 and leads the second chance scheme. According to The Times, Cowley punished for minor crimes, then worked in the armed forces and later became the pastor. Under his leadership, Iceland has given jobs to about 350 former prisoners in the entire UK so far and 300 has received job offers before release. Cowley interviews all potential prisoners and gives successful candidates as a store or delivery driver. HMP Oakwood Governor Sean Oliver said that the scheme re -teachs the use of money to long -decorated prisoners. Store employees teach prisoners the basic things of supermarket shopping, such as where to keep the basket and how to pay. Prison reformers also say that by giving jobs, prisoners invest in their future and avoid crime again.