Inside Solano County’s state prison kitchen, where dignity and purpose are on the menu

KAMIALI ABDULSALAM, Kami for short, has already been in the kitchen for several hours baking a batch of 100 sugar cookies when he pulls out chilled dough for another round — which will be cut into the shapes of snowflakes, trees and holiday presents to later be topped with red and green sprinkles.

Mere feet away across the small countertop at the restaurant inside California State Prison Solano is Michael Wilson, a skilled left-hander who finely chops onions for pico de gallo. He was recently promoted from dishwashing duties to a creative role that involves perfecting a balsamic vinaigrette dressing and assembling salads, among other tasks, to feed each other, as well as prison staff and special guests.