Bad Boys’ Bakery, which helps set ex-convicts on the straight and narrow, has won two Adult Learners’ Week awards.

The establishment at HM Prison Brixton, born from TV show Gordon Behind Bars, has won the European Social Fund national project award, while former baker Chris McKay picked up the European Social Fund individual award for the London region.

The awards were given in recognition of the bakery’s work on reducing re-offending rates – of those who completed the programme, 33% are in work or training and just 3% have re-offended, compared to a national average of 47%.

Adult Learners’ Week, which is designed to celebrate lifelong learning, takes place June 14-20 and is now in its 23rd year.

Gordon Ramsay link

In the TV show, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay taught prisoners key baking skills to make them more employable on release. Since filming, employment and skills experts Working Links turned it into a Community Interest Company.

The convicts are trained to industry standards in food quality and safety and health and safety. Coffee shop chain Caffè Nero is one of the bakery’s major partners.