Prisoners as cooks in Carrabba's

[Tim Brousselle]

The local Carrabba's replacing its kitchen staff with prison labor seems consistent with the effort by Outback Steakhouse, Inc. to reduce benefits for lower paid workers, such as cooks. Surely there are many "white collar crime" inmates who could fill management positions, too. Who's cooking your food, Acadiana? How much more of the local employee base can be replaced this way, and it is necessary anymore to ask applicants about their criminal backgrounds?

[Former Athlete]

yeah, right on

[why not]

Tim Brousselle wrote:

The local Carrabba's replacing its kitchen staff with prison labor seems consistent with the effort by Outback Steakhouse, Inc. to reduce benefits for lower paid workers, such as cooks. Surely there are many "white collar crime" inmates who could fill management positions, too. Who's cooking your food, Acadiana? How much more of the local employee base can be replaced this way, and it is necessary anymore to ask applicants about their criminal backgrounds?

no leave them along

[LafayetteGrapevi ne]

Tim Brousselle wrote:

The local Carrabba's replacing its kitchen staff with prison labor

What do you mean replacing kitchen staff with prison labor??

[fedup]

Please tell me this isn't so!!!! This is one of my favorite places to eat. I don't care what it looks like....I do not want a criminal cooking my food! If this is the truth It will be the last time my family will eat there.....bull shit to this idea!!

[Lotus]

Are these guys working on the "work release" program? I see lots of that lately. Maybe give them a chance...whats the big deal in a criminal cooking, than some thug lookn gthing with their pants half off.

[safe]

Lotus wrote:

Are these guys working on the "work release" program? I see lots of that lately. Maybe give them a chance...whats the big deal in a criminal cooking, than some thug lookn gthing with their pants half off.

See when someone try's to better themself .There is always someone there to cut them down. And that is why they go back to what they know crime. so some can bitc*

[normal]

Someone has to give them a job so they don't go back to illegal things!

[Just A Thought]

Good point. Alot of current restruant employees are criminals..maybe just not convicted. I mean, come on...how many restruant drug test??

Lotus wrote:

Are these guys working on the "work release" program? I see lots of that lately. Maybe give them a chance...whats the big deal in a criminal cooking, than some thug lookn gthing with their pants half off.

[Observer]

Lets get rid of the criminals in our government and then we will worry about the criminals in the kitchen.

[alicia]

in response to Tim's reply....
I assume you are speaking about an offender reintegration program which under strict guidelines allows offenders to obtain employment. Please note that public safety is a no.1 priority, these offenders are extensively screened prior to them being approved for the program. You had asked "is it necessary anymore to ask applicants about their criminal backgrounds". I believe that question is still on job applications. These offenders do NOT have extensive criminal histories nor do they have current violent offenses.

So, in response to your question...let me tell you who's cooking your food....
Someone who appreciates the opportunity to work....and "wants" to work. These guys know that any rule violation in regards to poor work performance could result in termination from employment and the program. Someone who always has reliable transportation (transported there and back by Officers). Someone who is drug and alcohol free (random drug screening & breathalyzer tested on a daily basis). Let me also note that these offenders attend educational programming as well....the majority of these guys are in substance abuse classes, parenting, and/ or GED.

These guys are not "replacing" the local employee base. Employers are simply seeing that this program can provide them with reliable workers. When these offenders are released, they keep their employment- what's the difference between hiring them now or when released...they are still hired.
Would you rather these guys just sit in jail, waiting to get out & back on the streets to a life of crime which is the only thing they know how to do -or would you rather approve of someone who is learning the skills it takes to be a productive part of society?
So, tell me Tim....which sounds better.. releasing a drug-addict to the streets with no education and no money who's only means of financial support is by robbing and stealing from you....
or releasing someone who has savings to put towards housing, is employed, has obtained his GED, and is staying clean and sober thanks to Substance Abuse classes (*that some still attend after released).

People always fear the unknown...so rather than thinking this program has convicted murders and crazed serial killers cooking your food and stealing your jobs....just know....they are not.

Tim Brousselle wrote:

The local Carrabba's replacing its kitchen staff with prison labor seems consistent with the effort by Outback Steakhouse, Inc. to reduce benefits for lower paid workers, such as cooks. Surely there are many "white collar crime" inmates who could fill management positions, too. Who's cooking your food, Acadiana? How much more of the local employee base can be replaced this way, and it is necessary anymore to ask applicants about their criminal backgrounds?