Clapham and Brixton Hill MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy has urged the government minister responsible to protect Brixton prison’s Clink Charity restaurant from closure.
The famous establishment which trains prisoners is the flagship enterprise of the Clink Charity which closed its restaurant at Styal prisonin Cheshire in July this year.
However, the charity is one of several rehabilitation services asked to retender for government contracts in recent years.
They include Redemption Roasters, which runs 12 cafes in London, and had one contract revoked by the government last year.
Since opening in 2014, the Brixton Clink has often been placed among the Top 10 restaurants in London on TripAdvisor. It received a Travellers’ Choice Award in 2022, placing it in the top 10% of restaurants worldwide.
Its work has had a positive impact on prisoner rehabilitation, with graduates of its programme 65.6% less likely to reoffend.
In 2023, The Clink trained 830 students across UK prisons, with 52% securing employment after release.
“We know that prisoners who secure jobs are less likely to reoffend when they leave prison and more likely to get their lives back on track,” Bell Ribeiro-Addy said.
“Over the last 10 years, the Clink at HMP Brixton has become a flagship destination for this concept, drawing in diners from far and wide across London.
“Any consideration of this contract must give due weight to the money saved by reducing reoffending rates and the value it creates by upskilling and getting people into work, two priorities.”
She told justice secretary Shabana Mahmood in a letter: “The charity’s commitment to supporting graduates continued even during the Covid-19 pandemic, when its restaurants and bakeries were forced to close.
“Clink support workers ensured that graduates in the community, and those released early from prison, could still access essential services.
“In addition, the charity established a COVID-19 graduate emergency support fund to help those facing financial hardship purchase groceries.
“The work of The Clink has been truly invaluable.
“Closure of the Brixton restaurant would be a huge loss to the local community, and in particular to the prisoners who benefit so greatly from its programme.
“I therefore hope that The Clink’s bid to renew its tender will be given full and fair consideration, so that this vital initiative can continue its work at HMP Brixton.”
