COMMENDEE 2024-25

Initial Recommendation

This nomination followed an initial recommendation from Andrea Wylie, Governor Unit Manager

I am honoured to nominate Senior Officer Aaron Stewart for the Butler Trust Award in recognition of their exceptional contributions to prisoner safety and wellbeing in the Care and Supervision Unit (CSU) within Northern Ireland Prison Service.

Through his innovative delivery of new technology and the development of a comprehensive multi-agency timetable, Aaron has significantly improved the quality of care and supervision provided to prisoners, ensuring a safer and more rehabilitative environment.

Aaron has been instrumental in helping to introduce a new, state of the art system for recording staff work within the CSU. This technology has transformed the way data is collected, stored, and accessed, leading to enhanced operational efficiency and transparency. Prior to this initiative, staff relied on methods that were prone to inaccuracies. Recognising the need for improvement, Aaron championed the adoption of a modern digital solution.

This new system allows for real-time updates, giving staff immediate access to crucial information. The ability to swiftly retrieve and record data has streamlined administrative processes and improved decision making capabilities. This technological advancement has not only facilitated better record keeping but also heightened overall safety by ensuring that vital information is always current and accessible.

In addition to technological improvements, Aaron has played a pivotal role in developing a detailed timetable that coordinates the efforts of multiple agencies to enhance out of cell time and meaningful activity for prisoners. Understanding the importance of holistic care, they collaborated with various stakeholders, including mental health professionals and educational provider to design a schedule that meets the diverse needs of the prisoners.

This multi-agency timetable ensures that prisoners have regular access to a variety of activities and services, promoting their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. By providing structured and purposeful engagement, the timetable helps foster rehabilitation and personal development. Aaron’s efforts have led to increased prisoner engagement and improved morale within the CSU.

The initiatives spearheaded by Aaron have had a profound impact on the CSU. There has been a notable reduction in incidents, and both staff and prisoners have reported feeling more supported and motivated. The collaborative timetable and cutting-edge technology have together created a safer, more efficient, and more humane environment.

Aaron’s remarkable contributions to the Care and Supervision Unit within Northern Ireland Prison service makes him a deserving candidate for the Butler Trust Award. His leadership in implementing advanced technology and creating a collaborative multi-agency timetable has significantly enhanced prisoner safety and well-being.

Aaron’s dedication to his role extends beyond administrative and logistical improvements. He takes immense pride in working with prisoners who have the most complex and challenging issues. His compassionate and empathetic approach has made a profound difference in the lives of these individuals. Aaron goes above and beyond to understand their unique needs, providing personalised support and guidance that helps them navigate their circumstances more effectively. His commitment to helping these prisoners overcome their challenges is a testament to his unwavering dedication to their rehabilitation and well being.

Supporting Documentation

Testimonials

Prisoner quote – For the first time I feel somebody understands me.  SO Stewart took time to listen to why I kept coming back to the CSU and with his support I had a transition plan that helped me settle back into general population and also helped staff to understand my needs and with them having an understanding they have gained more patience with managing me.  2020 was my previous time in prison and I spent 17 periods over 14 month in CSU.  In 2023 when I returned to prison I was in CSU 3 times and each time Aaron and his staff looked at what was the cause for me returning and gave me support in addressing this.  I have not returned from my last stint in November 2023 and now use my experience in CSU and have worked with Learning and Skills. I am upskilled as a mentor and now engage with other prisoners that are struggling with prison rules – being able to support others has gave me a great sense of worth.  I believe the changes in the CSU have been for the better for all prisoners and this change would not have happened without SO Stewart.

Additional Information

NIPS was subject to an unannounced inspection of Care and Supervision Unit and from this we received 3 strategic and 11 operational recommendations.  At this time Aaron was class officer in CSU and whilst he wasn’t in a management role he took it upon himself to speak with those repeatedly returning to the CSU and understand why they kept returning. Aaron was confident enough to review the recommendations, use prisoner input and present a draft delivery model that he felt would enhance regime for those in CSU and work with our partner agencies in addressing their negative behaviours and supporting their custodial journey.

Aaron also led on enhancing the digital infrastructure within the CSU to ensure we captured the levels of engagement. This highlighted those that would not engage and gave us a chance to explore this lack of willingness to engage at the earliest opportunity.

Aaron was confident to deliver his draft delivery model to the Senior Management Team and gained their  endorsement.  Aaron was subsequently successful in a temporary promotion opportunity to SO and as such was able to lead his team in the implementation and delivery of his model. This has been transformational and not only has it enhanced regime within the CSU but also has delivered a person centred approach.  The results are that we have seen a significant decrease in the duration of time spent by individuals in CSU and also the number of those who repeatedly return has reduced significantly.

A follow up Inspection took place and the Criminal Justice Inspectors reported on remarkable improvements in regime delivery and outcomes for those in our care. Inspectors also singled out Aaron, for his passion and drive to deliver a regime that addressed all recommendations.

Aaron is everything a Prison Officer should strive to be and he will undoubtedly continue to look at innovative ways to improve the organisation and the custodial journey for those that are committed to custody in HMP Maghaberry.

Sign Off

As an officer, Aaron has an admirable enthusiasm and passion for his role. His previous work with those in custody considered vulnerable through mental health complexities affords him an empathy in terms of how he interacts with those in custody. He constantly seeks ways to improve the delivery of the regime to those in his care, this is particularly difficult when dealing with those who find themselves within the Care and Supervision Unit, who can often be volatile and unpredictable.

Aaron’s work on regime delivery and implementation of digital improvements which he has been able to deliver in his temporary Senior Officer role has transformed the work of staff within the CSU. His knowledge has meant that he can deliver with confidence his aims and staff in turn have a confidence in him and their own ability to provide the best possible care for those within the CSU.

Tracy Megrath

Governor, HMP Maghaberry