Prisons Minister Crispin Blunt MP today visited High Down prison in Banstead.
The Minister spoke to staff and prisoners at the Category B establishment after having lunch in The Clink, High Down’s gourmet restaurant for staff and visitors to the prison.
The restaurant, set up with the assistance of the McGrath Charitable Trust and now run in partnership with the prison by The Clink charity, offers City and Guilds qualifications to a number of prisoners who remain at the establishment for their sentence whilst they learn the skills that will allow them to work in the catering industry on release from prison.
Alongside providing purposeful training, The Clink also provides an environment where potential employers can experience first hand the excellent standard of food produced and served by prisoners.
Crispin Blunt said:
'HMP High Down is a really impressive establishment which is delivering some excellent results in an increasingly pressured environment. It is extraordinary to find a centre of culinary excellence such as The Clink in a prison but in many ways this project exemplifies the more constructive approach to rehabilitation that I want to see across the criminal justice system, and the contribution of the voluntary sector which will be crucial to its success.
I am also impressed with the enthusiasm and commitment of staff and partner organisations at High Down who have created an atmosphere where resettlement is seen as core business for the prison.'
