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Prison Cafeteria Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Alameda Health System

AHD Cook PB

Alameda, CA · On-site

$16.25 - $21.75/hr

... the cafeteria. 2. Cleans utensils and equipment and keeps working areas in good order; and ... prison facility, military installation or a large restaurant or hotel.

Alameda Health System

AHD Cook PB

Oakland, CA · On-site

$32.59 - $35.16/hr

... the cafeteria. 2. Cleans utensils and equipment and keeps working areas in good order; and ... prison facility, military installation or a large restaurant or hotel.

Alameda Health System

AHD Cook PB

Alameda, CA

$15.75 - $21.25/hr

... the cafeteria. 2. Cleans utensils and equipment and keeps working areas in good order; and ... prison facility, military installation or a large restaurant or hotel.

Alameda Health System

Cook

Oakland, CA · On-site

$31.72 - $36.76/hr

... the cafeteria. 4. Cleans utensils and equipment and keeps working areas in good order; and ... prison facility, military installation, or a large restaurant or hotel. REQUIRED LICENSES ...

Alameda Health System

Cook

Oakland, CA · On-site

$16 - $21.50/hr

... the cafeteria. 4. Cleans utensils and equipment and keeps working areas in good order; and ... prison facility, military installation, or a large restaurant or hotel. REQUIRED LICENSES ...

Alameda Health System

Cook

Oakland, CA

$16 - $21.50/hr

... the cafeteria. 4. Cleans utensils and equipment and keeps working areas in good order; and ... prison facility, military installation, or a large restaurant or hotel. REQUIRED LICENSES ...

Aramark

Food Service Manager

Valdosta, GA · On-site

The Food Service Manager at Valdosta State Prison is a management position responsible for ... Lead the front of the house of the dining operation (Cafeteria/ Residential Dining Facility) in ...

Union Rescue Mission

COOK

Sylmar, CA · On-site

$19 - $21.40/hr

Minimum of 1 year of cooking experience (school cafeteria, prison, shelter) in preparing food for large volumes of people, preferred. * Must be Serve-safe certified or certified with National ...

Union Rescue Mission

COOK

Lake View Terrace, CA · On-site

$19 - $21.40/hr

Minimum of 1 year of cooking experience (school cafeteria, prison, shelter) in preparing food for large volumes of people, preferred. * Must be Serve-safe certified or certified with National ...

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Prison Cafeteria information

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$8

$14

$19

How much do prison cafeteria jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for prison cafeteria in the United States is $14.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.50 and $15.87 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are prison cafeteria workers?

Prison cafeteria workers are individuals responsible for preparing, serving, and sometimes planning meals for inmates and staff within a correctional facility. Their duties often include food preparation, cleaning kitchen and dining areas, following health and safety regulations, and occasionally supervising inmate workers. These workers play a vital role in maintaining nutrition standards and supporting the daily operations of the prison. They must also follow strict protocols to ensure safety and security in the kitchen and dining areas.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Prison Cafeteria Worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Prison Cafeteria Worker, you need basic food preparation skills, knowledge of food safety standards, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with industrial kitchen equipment, safety protocols, and sometimes a food handler’s certification are typically required. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are valuable soft skills in this environment. These skills and qualities are crucial to ensure safe meal preparation, maintain security, and support the daily operations within a correctional facility.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of someone working in a prison cafeteria?

Working in a prison cafeteria involves preparing and serving meals while adhering to strict safety and sanitation protocols. Staff members are responsible for monitoring and supervising inmate workers, ensuring food quality, and maintaining accurate inventory records. Additionally, the role requires collaboration with security personnel and other facility staff to ensure a safe and orderly environment during meal service. Attention to detail and the ability to follow institutional guidelines are essential to succeed in this position.

What is the difference between Prison Cafeteria Worker vs Prison Kitchen Staff?

AspectPrison Cafeteria WorkerPrison Kitchen Staff
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent, food safety trainingHigh school diploma or equivalent, food safety certification
Work EnvironmentServing food in cafeteria setting within prisonPreparing and cooking meals in prison kitchen
Job DutiesServing food, assisting with meal distributionCooking, food prep, cleaning kitchen areas
Employer & IndustryPrison facilities, correctional institutionsPrison facilities, correctional institutions

Prison Cafeteria Workers primarily serve food and assist with meal distribution in the cafeteria, while Prison Kitchen Staff are involved in cooking, food preparation, and maintaining kitchen operations. Both roles require food safety training and work within correctional food service environments, but their daily tasks differ significantly.

Infographic showing various Prison Cafeteria job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $29,912 per year, or $14.4 per hour.
AHD Cook PB

AHD Cook PB

Alameda Health System

Alameda, CA • On-site

$16.25 - $21.75/hr

Other

Posted 21 days ago

Alameda Health System rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

SUMMARY: Under general supervision the AHD Cook at Park Bridge prepares, cooks, and dispenses food in quantity in a kitchen. Maintains cooking equipment and working areas. Performs related duties as required.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification, however, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual in the classification.

1. Carves meat for serving, and serves or oversees the serving of food, ensuring the prompt apportionment of food to tray line and the cafeteria.

2. Cleans utensils and equipment and keeps working areas in good order; and maintains standards of safety and sanitation.

3. Cooks meat, fish, vegetables, soups, cereals and other foods, using steam-jacketed kettles, revolving or other large ovens, meat roasters and other commercial cooking equipment or kitchen equipment.

4. Delivers food to various locations promptly and safely.

5. Prepares salads and desserts as needed for cafeteria, patients and catering.

6. Prepares dough and bakes cakes, cookies and other pastries and desserts.

7. Prepares meats and vegetables for cooking, using electric meat grinders, vegetable peelers and slicers and hand tools.

8. Relieves others cooks for breaks; may act as Lead Cook on a relief or training basis; plans and/or helps plan recipes and follows oral and written instructions to prepare and cook all foods; weighs food items for cooking.

9. Requisitions, receives, inspects and stores food stuffs, and keeps supervisor informed of supplies needed.

10. Provides excellent customer service to all customers.

11. Demonstrates commitment to work unit and to AHS as a whole. Role models commitment to co-workers and patients. Seeks additional responsibilities.

12. Works well with others. Mentors and support team members.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum Experience: One year of experience in the class of Assistant Cook with Alameda Health System; OR two years of experience in quantity cooking for at least 200 people per meal in an institutional kitchen such as a hospital, juvenile detention center, prison facility, military installation or a large restaurant or hotel.

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