"I was in prison most of my life, over 20 years."
A California man owns a popular restaurant franchise, having got a second chance in life after being released from prison.
Located in Redding’s Discovery Village, Falafel Corner is a Mediterranean restaurant with a twist, serving up everything from falafels to gyros and halal burgers.
Owner Sajad Shakoor said: “I grew up in a Mexican neighbourhood and as a result, a lot of my flavours have Mexican seasonings in them and in addition to that because I’m Pakistani, obviously, I put Pakistani influences into the Mediterranean.”
His culinary skills were developed in an unlikely place – San Quentin prison.
He said he was wrongfully sentenced under California’s ‘3 strikes law’ when he was 19 years old.
Sajad explained: “I was in prison most of my life, over 20 years.
“I went in when I was in high school. I went in for a third strike.
“My third strike was instigating a fist fight and this was a law where if you had two previous felonies, your third one no matter what it was it would give you a life sentence.”
Whilst in prison, Sajad honed his cooking skills.
“One of the specialities and what I was known for and the reason why I have it on my menu here was the quesadilla.
“We couldn’t get cheese in prison so I used to have to make my own cheese.
“We’d bring back milk from the kitchen and get kitchen hats and hair nets and strain the cheese through there and let it dry.”
While juggling cooking and getting his education in prison, Sajad also helped draft Proposition 36, revising the three strikes law to impose a life sentence only when the new felony conviction is serious or violent.
It was this work that helped Sajad gain early release in 2013.
He went on to become the owner of Falafel Corner and in 2018, he bought sole ownership from his partner.
Sajad has expanded to approximately 40 locations across California, selecting those who otherwise might be overlooked to run those establishments.
He told CBS: “Whether it’s an Afghan refugee who’s trying to make something of his life with his family or some lady who got divorced who might need some financial stability.”
The quesadillas he made in prison are now a menu staple.
And while Sajad owns the franchise, he does not operate the Redding location.
Instead, Mohamad Shahzaib and Eric Anguiano – who are brothers – run the restaurant.
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