History
1993
- Clinks began life in 1993 as London Prisons Community Links, a three year project to improve the way the Voluntary and Community Sector and prisons worked together, and to create a network of organisations working in the Criminal Justice System.
- The project was funded by the City Parochial Foundation and managed by the late Una Padel.
1998
- LPCL was renamed ‘Clinks – Prisons Community Links’
- Appointed the current Director, Clive Martin and Una moved to the Management Committee.
2001
Clinks launched as a membership organisation.
2002
- Clinks helped develop a more structured relationship between the Prison Service and Voluntary Sector, which was reflected in the newly published PSO 4190 “Strategy for Working with the VCS”.
- Clinks extended its work to include the Probation Service.
2003
- Clinks had 6 staff, including three project workers supported by the current Office Manager, Jean Coates and an information coordinator.
- The ‘Working with Prisoners Directory’ (later to become the Working with Offenders Directory) was also published on CD-ROM
- The Volunteering in Prisons training pack was first published
- Clinks started publishing the ‘Get Linked’ newsletter (later to become Clinks News).
Clinks today
In 2010, we employ 12 members of staff, including three in the South West, and have two offices (York & London). Our turnover has also risen, with ongoing relationships with continuation funders and successful applications to further our work. Our membership stands at 300, and we offer a wide variety of services and products.
