An innovative charity that aids prisoners’ rehabilitation by offering hospitality training has won an award celebrating the work of grassroots charities.
The Clink Charity, which started in HMP High Down on the border of Banstead and Sutton, was presented with think-tank the Centre for Social Justice’s (CSJ) Social Enterprise Award at a ceremony at Central Hall in Westminster last week.
Since launching in 2009, The Clink Charity has garnered unwavering recognition from the hospitality industry and philanthropic businesses and the concept has expanded to other prisons in Cardiff, Brixton, Styal in Cheshire.
Inmates work 40-hour weeks in restaurants based at the prison while working towards vocational qualifications, City & Guilds NVQs, in food preparation, food service and hygiene.
Chris Moore, Chief Executive of The Clink Charity, said the £10,000 prize money would help support graduates after their release.
He added: “The issue of reoffending has become one of the most pressing challenges facing society today and it’s more important than ever that we look at ways to reduce reoffending rates and give more people a chance to transform their life for the benefit of themselves, their family and society as a whole.
“For our work to be honoured by receiving this award is testament to the passion and dedication of the entire team so thank you.”
From November: The Clink Charity's prison restaurant scheme reduces re-offending, Ministry of Justice and Justice Data Lab report finds
People participating in the charity’s hospitality training scheme were 41 per cent less likely to reoffend within a year of release than those who did not take part, joint analysis by the Ministry of Justice and the Justice Data Lab found last year.
Andy Cook, Chief Executive of the Centre for Social Justice, said: “The Clink is a brilliant example of a charity that achieves transformative change by providing the gift of practical and meaningful education.
"Not only does the charity enable individuals to turn their lives around, it benefits wider society by reducing the taxpayer bill and preventing more people becoming victims of crime.”
HMP High Down on the border of Sutton and Banstead
He added: “Speaking at the Centre for Social Justice earlier this year, the Justice Secretary Liz Truss said the best way to reduce the prison populations was by cutting recidivism. The Clink is helping to achieve exactly that. It is a thoroughly deserving winner of this award.”
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