Maintaining a five-star rating since opening in February 2014 – 97% of all reviews listed as either “excellent” or “very good” - The Clink Brixton joins the initiative’s three other restaurants, HMP High Down, HMP Cardiff and HMP Styal, as the number one eatery in their respective areas.
Hoping to reduce reoffending rates, The Clink Charity provides prisoners with work experience and qualifications that will help them secure employment upon release. Each of its four HMP restaurants allow up to 30 prisoners to work in a professional restaurant and kitchen environment, whilst studying for a nationally recognised City & Guilds NVQ in food preparation and food service, before returning to their cells at the end of the working day.
Diners visiting the restaurants also help to create a realistic working environment, which is imperative in preparing prisoners for employment and their reintegration into society. With menus focusing around seasonal ingredients, visitors will be offered a choice of classic European dishes with a modern British twist, using fresh, local produce - many sourced by women prisoners at The Clink Gardens, HMP Send, Surrey.
Chris Moore, chief executive of The Clink Charity said: “One of the biggest challenges we face as a charity is public misconceptions of prisoners and rehabilitation.
“Having this feedback from our diners provides evidence that we’re combating these views and are helping people to understand how important a part education and meaningful work plays in reducing reoffending rates. To receive such positive comments from our diners across all four restaurants encourages the prisoners in training to continue their hard work and commitment to changing their lives for the better.”