Opened in 2021, The Escape is a high-street standard café and restaurant located within HMP Wormwood Scrubs, created through a partnership between The Right Course and our education partner, PeoplePlus. The facility was transformed from the prison staff canteen into a professional hospitality training environment, with support from leading industry partners and Michelin-starred chef André Garrett.
Learners gain hands-on experience across the café, restaurant and kitchen, working alongside hospitality professionals while developing the practical and employability skills needed for successful careers after release. Throughout the year, learners also benefit from masterclasses and employer engagement opportunities with organisations including Hilton, Pizza Pilgrims, Ottolenghi and Richmond Hill Hotel.
The programme has delivered strong employment outcomes, with graduates securing roles at employers such as Hilton, Gaucho, The Grosvenor, Pret A Manger and Redemption Roasters. One former learner went on to launch his own food business following support through the KERB Streets Ahead programme.
In 2025, The Escape hosted its first Chefs Unlocked competition in partnership with New Futures Network, welcoming Prison Minister Lord Timpson, Hilton and UK Hospitality. The event showcased learners’ culinary talent and highlighted the positive impact of hospitality training in supporting rehabilitation and employment.
This year, a pilot programme delivered by The Mixology Group will train learners in drink construction, flavour profiling and pairing techniques. If successful, the programme will be expanded across all prison sites, creating further opportunities for learners to develop industry-relevant skills and improve their employment prospects.
Our delivery partner at The Escape has recently changed from NOVUS over to PeoplePlus, due to changes of contract in the prison’s education department.