Alaska News

Photos: Hiland Mountain inmates learn art of espresso

Maggie Anvil had never worked as a barista before, but after starting at Holy Grounds coffee shop inside Hiland Mountain Correctional Center in Eagle River, she now hopes it's something she can do long-term.

Anvil, 39, even hopes to open her own cafe when she finishes her sentence at the women's correctional facility. She'd call it "Maggie's Kuviaq," the Yup'ik word for coffee in her hometown of Napaskiak.

Anvil, who's spent almost a decade in Hiland, is the assistant manager at Holy Grounds. She's been there since June and is in charge of scheduling the 10 to 12 women who work there. She said she's learned a lot -- and received some high praise for her work.

"A guy said it's the best coffee he's ever had," said Anvil, who expects to be released next year.

In an effort to get even better, Anvil and 13 other inmates participated in a barista training program at the prison earlier this month. Chaplain Franklin Blodgett, who runs the program, said the goal is to give women a practical work skill they can use once they leave. Especially with coffee vendors on nearly every Anchorage street corner.

"There are a lot of jobs that close when they're convicted felons," Blodgett said. "But (barista) is one of those jobs they can get."

READ MORE: Barista training at Alaska prison paves way for jobs on the outside

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