Coordinates: 51°30′25.48″N 0°05′30.95″W / 51.5070778°N 0.0919306°W / 51.5070778; -0.0919306
The Clink was a notorious prison in Southwark, England which functioned from the 12th century until 1780 either deriving its name from, or bestowing it on, the local manor, the Clink Liberty (see also the Liberty of the Clink). The manor and prison were owned by the Bishop of Winchester and situated next to his residence at Winchester Palace. The Clink was possibly the oldest men's prison and probably the oldest women's prison in England.
The origins of the name "The Clink" are uncertain, but it is possibly onomatopoeic and derives from the sound of striking metal as the prison's doors were bolted, or the rattling of the chains the prisoners wore.
The name has become slang as a generic term for prison or a jail cell.
There has been a prison owned by the Bishop of Winchester in one form or another since the year 860, although at that time it would only have been one cell in a priests' college. By 1076 an archbishop had listed the types of punishment allowed, scourging with rods, solitary confinement, and bread and water in silence.
The Clink is a fine dining restaurant located inside HM Prison High Down, in Banstead, Surrey. It is the first of a series of planned restaurants to be set up in conjunction by The Clink Charity and HM Prison Service, with the second restaurant located near HM Prison Cardiff. The concept was invented by chef Alberto Crisci, who was awarded a Catey Award in 2011 for his work with the charity, and set up by him together with Kevin McGrath. The restaurants employ serving offenders who undergo training whilst they work.
The restaurant was opened jointly by The Clink Charity and HM Prison Service following a concept proposed by chef Alberto Crisci, who had previously worked for Marco Pierre White at the restaurant Mirabelle in London. It launched in May 2009, at a cost of £550,000. Crisci worked to generate the funds to pay for the restaurant with the permission of Governor Peter Dawson. The charity foundation set up by Kevin McGrath donated £250,000. Inmates earn National Vocational Qualifications whilst working at the restaurant. In January 2012, celebrity chef Antonio Carluccio was announced as chef ambassador of The Clink at HMP High Down.