JourneyOnline
YOUNG COOK and part-time theological student Daniel Singer has had a life-changing year after moving from working in the kitchen at Raymont Residential College, the Uniting Church residential college attached to the Synod office, to the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre, Queensland’s largest prison.
As cook supervisor Mr Singer works with a manager and four other supervisors to assist and teach a changing crew of 25 inmates working in the kitchen – a very privileged job.
Mr Singer said one of the Raymont Residential College cooks insisted he apply for the prison role.
“She basically pushed the job ad in my face and said ‘you are going for this whether you like it or not’,” he laughed.
“It’s very different to anywhere else I have worked.
“But in other ways it is very similar – you are still catering for large numbers of people.
“The inmates who work in the kitchen are very well-behaved because it is such a prestigious place to work.”
The kitchen inmates are even housed together in a separate unit in the prison. The recent bail of one prominent kitchen worker made the staff realise how much they rely on the inmates.
“It was quite a shock to us because he was sort of the PA to the manager.
“We sort of took his position for granted.
“It impacted us a lot.
The whole place crumbled a little bit.”
Mr Singer agreed that even in a prison that houses everyone from minor offenders to those deemed Australia’s hardest criminals, a person’s crime should not define them.
“I only know the background of a couple of them and it means nothing to me.
“It’s none of my concern. I’m there as a trade instructor and to try to teach them life skills and how to cook for when they get out.”
And as Mr Singer studies for the ministry of pastor what better place to learn not to judge than in a prison?
“I don’t go in there and Bible bash,” he said.
“I just try to be a good role model, which is harder than it sounds, but I am getting there.
“I’ve learnt to stand on my own two feet and be confident.
“That is the biggest lesson I have learnt and am learning still.”
And what do the approximately 850 Arthur Gorrie inmates like to eat?
“They always like the braised steak and the carbonara.”
Photo : Theological student and prison cook Daniel Singer. Photo by Osker Lau
