The kitchen at the Co-ed Facility prepares three meals a day for more than 40 female inmates and trainees.

Officer Sheryl Simmons is the Food Service Manager who manages a kitchen staff of six women and has the task of ensuring that things run smoothly - no easy task when considering that tastes vary among the many nationalities.

"The shift starts at 6.30 a.m. and we have to prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner," explained Officer Simmons who pointed out that the female and male prisoners have no contact.

"We work on a 21-day cycle for the menu which is laid out by the Government nutritionist. Service times for male and females are different. We did have the trainees coming in and cooking and would give the females time off.

"Women's needs are higher, they are high maintenance in terms of their likes and dislikes. It is said that with females, food is the area in which they feel they are in control."

Officer Simmons explained that an interview process helps staff select the women to work in the kitchen which comes with a lot of responsibility - and some perks, too.

"I try to make it as if it is someone out in society coming to look for a job," explained Officer Simmons who shares the kitchen responsibility with officer Dena Robinson. There is also a 'floater' who oversees the kitchen during weekends and holidays.

"They have perks and can get to prepare what they like as the kitchen staff," said Officer Simmons of the inmates assigned to kitchen duty.

"At times we do arrange tours where we will go to facilities that pertain to kitchen work. For instance we toured the Bermuda Bakery and have toured some of the hotels. In fact, I gave a recommendation for someone who was working here in the kitchen and she got a job as a short order cook after she was released."

The Prison Farm next door grows enough vegetables for the two facilities so that cuts down on expenses.

"We also bake our own breads, white, wheat and raisin rolls, and prepare all our food menus from scratch," said Officer Simmons.

"The ladies work on a schedule with two days off a week which rotates. The cooking is rotated by four cooks and two for baking."

Different nationalities work in the kitchen and that, Officer Simmons admits, does present some challenges.

"Sometimes it's hard to change and to get them to see what they are used to cooking be prepared in a different way," she explained.

"What I find within the prison system is you are always going to have a problem with food (preparation and selection), but no matter how much they grumble it does get eaten.

"We are very small but we do make provisions. I have a good staff who work with me and they do their best. It can get frustrating at times and as the summer comes in the kitchen gets hotter!

"However, I enjoy working in this area, this is my field."