The Clink

posted by Geoff Andrews at Sunday, November 14, 2010

Last week, along with Dan Saladino of the Food Programme, and chefs Mark Hix and Fergus Henderson, I visited The Clink, the acclaimed restaurant located in HMP High Down in Surrey. It is a very important initiative; the food is very good,and it is becoming an increasingly popular lunchtime venue, with tables fully booked until Christmas. It owes a lot to the inspiration of Alberto Crisci who, as well as bringing his own expertise to the kitchen, has harnessed the enthusiasm of a lot of people. We know that prisoners who take education classes are significantly less likely to re-offend, while initiatives like this provide important skills and training. Above all, for the inmates who cook the food and serve at the table, it raises their self-esteem. Let's hope similar projects can take off in other prisons.