The Oswin Project is expanding its successful commercial bakery at HMP Northumberland, transforming a disused prison kitchen into brand-new, state-of-the-art premises.
The expansion is a joint venture between The Oswin Project and HMP Northumberland operators Sodexo, made possible by grant funding from Scottish Power, The Community Foundation, St Hilda’s Trust, The Convey Trust and the O’Flaherty Foundation.
The new facilities will allow the charity to meet ever-growing demand for its popular bread, pies, quiches and cakes, to expand its outside catering offer, and to add new lines. Run by a mix of professional staff and volunteers, the expanded bakery will also create up to 20 additional training places for serving prisoners — taking the total to up to 30 people working across the Catering Enterprises at HMP Northumberland. Candidates gain food safety qualifications alongside specialised baking techniques suited to any bakery.
An official opening to celebrate the start of the project takes place at the prison on Thursday 3rd September 2026, giving invited guests and sponsors the chance to see the new facilities.
Oswin baked goods are already available in the Café 16s at HMP Northumberland and Newcastle Cathedral, 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.
The Oswin Project provides an award-winning rehabilitation programme that seeks to break the cycle of reoffending by giving people with criminal records the skills, support and opportunities needed to build positive new futures.
Oswin CEO Fiona Sample 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. Currently 80% of prisoners are on return trips to prison. The Oswin Project reoffending rate is just 3% against the national average of 38% — what we do works! Why successive governments persist in thinking that building more prison places is the answer is baffling. It is an incredibly expensive and ineffective option. At Baking Out, in partnership with HMP Northumberland, we aim to change this — one loaf, one pie, one tray bake at a time.”
Vicky Robinson, Director at HMP Northumberland, said: “We are proud of the long-standing partnership we have built with The Oswin Project, which has helped design a truly rehabilitative offer at Northumberland. The new bakery is a fantastic addition to an already diverse portfolio of purposeful activities we provide our prisoners. Baking Out is a brilliant initiative, which unlocks more opportunities for prisoners to gain the skills, experiences and confidence that will prepare them for employment and a positive future on release.”
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