The Clink prisoner training scheme leads to ‘significant' cut in reoffending
Hospitality charity the Clink's prisoner training scheme has been found to significantly reduce rates of reoffending, Ministry of Justice (MoJ) research has confirmed.
Now in its tenth year of operation, the Clink trains prisoners in hospitality skills, covering both front and back of house as well as horticulture.
A report put forward by the MoJ and the Justice Data Lab found that, in aggregate results from 2009 to 2016, Clink graduates had a 15% reoffending rate - compared to the rate of a comparison group, which stood at 22%.
The seven-point difference was described by the Justice Data Lab as "a statistically significant result".
In HMP Brixton in particular, the study found reoffending rates declined to 11%, compared to the control group's rate of 32%.
Chris Moore, chief executive of the Clink, said: "This latest report is testament to the dedicated work by The Clink Charity in partnership with HMPPS, and clearly shows a reduction in reoffending rates.
"We are delighted that these results find that the Clink has maintained its strong performance in reducing reoffending rates, and that the JDL identifies that prisoners' who took part in the programme were less likely to reoffend than those who did not.
"These new results have again shown a statistically significant reduction in reoffending against comparative groups at a national level. Very few interventions have achieved such a positive outcome in a JDL analysis."
