Green’s Dictionary of Slang

a sanctuary for criminals in Southwark; the villains who frequented this area were known as Clinkers.

c.1786		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue ms. additions n.p.: Clink A place in the borough of Southwark, formerly priveleged from arrests; & inhabited by lawless Vagabonds of every species.
1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue (2nd, 3rd edn) n.p.: clink A place in the Borough of Southwark, formerly privileged from arrests; and inhabited by lawless vagabonds of every denomination, called, from the place of their residence, clinkers.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.