The Clink Charity

A while back, we gave to a charity called Fat Macy's. The idea behind that was to tackle homelessness through employment in hospitality. They set up a restaurant and training programme, and would work with hostels and shelters to bring people through the programme into paying jobs at their restaurant.

This month's charity is a similar concept, but working with prisoners. The Clink Charity is a UK-based organisation dedicated to reducing reoffending by equipping prisoners with practical skills and support for reintegration into society. Operating within several prisons, including HMP Brixton and HMP High Down, The Clink runs restaurants and catering services where inmates receive full-time training in hospitality, working towards accredited City & Guilds NVQs. 

Their five-step programme—Recruit, Train, Support, Employ, and Mentor—extends beyond incarceration, offering assistance with employment, accommodation, and life skills for at least 12 months post-release. 

Evaluations by the Ministry of Justice's Justice Data Lab have demonstrated the charity's effectiveness; for instance, a 2019 report indicated that Clink graduates had a 15% reoffending rate compared to 22% in a matched comparison group, with particularly notable results at HMP Brixton, where the rate was 11% versus 32%. Further analysis by Pro Bono Economics estimated that for every £1 invested in The Clink's programme, society benefits by approximately £4.80, underscoring its economic and social impact . 

Through its innovative approach, The Clink Charity not only transforms the lives of individuals but also contributes to safer communities. 

I've watched and read a number of articles about the state of the UK's prisons (On the Frontline being one of them), and am constantly amazed at how in disrepair they appear. Supporting programmes that help with reoffending seems to me a great use of our funds.