AWARD WINNER 2023-24: Jamie’s Award is for his peerless compassion and commitment towards, and unrivalled ability to connect with and inspire, the children in his care, as a Manager on the Young Person’s Unit at HMP/YOI Parc – his nomination came from one of the residents, with another adding, “he’s the Dad I never had”.
[Jamie’s Award is supported by The Hanley Trust.]

Jamie’s nomination

Initial Recommendation

Jamie was initially recommended by: AS (a serving prisoner at HMP & YOI Parc).

My name is AS and I’m a 17 year old serving prisoner at HMP & YOI Parc. I’m nominating Jamie Williams who runs the enrichment programme on the young person’s unit.

The great thing about the enrichment programme is that it’s helped me believe in myself, change my attitude towards the life I was living. My confidence, self-esteem and problem solving skills have dramatically improved and I’m focussed on making the correct decisions when I’m released. This is all down to the enrichment programme and Jamie and his team.

One of the proudest moments of my life was when I completed the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award whilst I was in custody. Jamie took me to the Gower which is in Swansea on ROTL. We walked for 6 hours on day 1, then camped overnight (which was a first for me) then walked another 6 hours.

My family are extremely proud of what I’ve accomplished whilst at HMP Parc Young Person’s Unit. I’ve worked with outside agencies like ‘Rugby Works’, ‘Tennis Wales’ and took part in fish keeping club and gardening club.

I’ve also become a lot fitter and healthier and I now realise how important it is to look after my mental health and my body. This is all down to Jamie and his enrichment programme. I just wanted you to know and say thank you.

Testimonials (from HMP & YOI Parc)

Jamie’s nomination included the following testimonials:

Anna-Marie Jackson, Deputy Head of YOI Parc:

“Jamie is the driving force behind his work within the Young Person’s Unit, a specialist unit for children and young people which links closely with education, mental health and other specialist services. I would explain Jamie as “an exceptional member of staff” and “without doubt the finest pro social model practitioner I have worked with”. He has worked tirelessly and with skill and sensitivity to support young people and staff in a wide range of issues.

He has played a key role in helping all deal with the unique challenges of working in this environment. He has been nominated for the passion, skill and dedication he has demonstrated over more than 18 years, and he is widely respected as an inspirational figure by both his colleagues and the offenders he works with.”

Additional information (from HMP & YOI Parc)

HMP & YOI Parc provided the following additional testimony in support of Jamie’s nomination:

Jamie has worked at Parc for 23 years. 18 of those years he has been working with children.

Jamie was promoted to Enrichment Manager after the work he did to improve the health and wellbeing of children within the YOI.

Jamie is so passionate about giving the children at Parc every chance to change their lives. Jamie is constantly pushing for new ways for the children to have a future after prison.

Jamie has also forged links with colleges and schools near to where children live to ensure they have every opportunity to turn their back on crime.

Jamie has also involved local businesses in his work, so that children have different opportunities when Released on Temporary Licence (ROTL).

The children love Jamie, with one child describing him as “The dad I never had”.

Nothing is too much for Jamie. He is the ultimate role model and advocate for the children.

Jamie has been highly recognised by the Duke of Edinburgh Awards for the outstanding work he does with the children and local communities.

Jamie is without doubt one of the reasons Parc has achieved four ‘fours’ in HMIP inspections.

I am incredibly proud to have him as part of my team and recommend him for a Butler Trust Award.

 Sign off

The nomination was signed off by the Governor, Janet Wallsgrove.

I have known Jamie for over 10 years and I would describe him as one of the finest staff that I have worked with. He has an incredible ability to connect with people and he is truly passionate about delivering outcomes for the people in his care.

He has that balance of care, decency and structure which is the hallmark of the very best of prison staff. The children respect him and see him as a role model – put simply they do not want to let Jamie down because they know that he cares for them. I have been proud to watch Jamie grow and develop from a new officer to completing his PGCE and most recently into his new management role. Jamie has pushed boundaries and developed an enrichment programme which would be the envy of every prison/YOI.

Behaviour has improved as the children want to have access to the programmes. He has driven Duke of Edinburgh projects and most recently has helped a child to get a rugby coaching role on release.

He has worked with partner agencies to offer the children new opportunities which will help them on release and which will also help them to develop their self-esteem. I have the utmost respect for Jamie as a person and as a member of my team. I cannot think of anyone who is more deserving of recognition by the Butler Trust.