COMMENDEE 2013-14: Resettlement Worker: for contributions to the management, care and resettlement of female offenders; nominated by a prisoner. 

Nathan Sawford, Resettlement Worker at HMP and YOI Bronzefield, has been commended for frequently going ‘beyond the expectations of someone in his role to help and support the women in his care.’

Working within the Reducing Reoffending Team, Nathan’s caseload of 80-90 women ranges from young offenders to mental health prisoners, often including complex needs prisoners who require interventions and plans in place for their release. He treats all of the women in his care with ‘decency and respect’, ensuring that ‘public protection and the women’s protection are paramount for the plans for release.’

Charlotte Pattison-Rideout, director of HMP Bronzefield, described him as making ‘a real difference to the safety, decency and opportunities that our women have available to them both in custody and on release’ on a number of occasions. Always managing to resettle women whatever their problems, she says Nathan is a ‘shining example’ of an employee who makes her ‘very proud’ to have him on her team.

An example of Nathan’s dedication to the support of female prisoners, is the case of a prisoner who was sentenced to a two week custodial sentence, was of no fixed address and had a history of mental health issues. Nathan first linked this client with floating support. They arranged to collect the woman at the gate and escort her to her hostel appointment; however, when the floating support worker had to cancel last minute, Nathan escorted the prisoner to London Waterloo himself to hand her over to the floating support team, keeping her away from potential risks.

Angeline Cross, Resettlement Manager at Bronzefield, describes Nathan as ‘an excellent role model for other members of the resettlement team and to prisoners’. Frequently working late into the evenings, he will always ‘go the extra mile’ to assist other staff members, as well as the women in his care.

Nathan was also recognised by HM Inspectorate of Prisons, during a recent unannounced inspection at Bronzefield, as a staff member who went out of his way to address resettlement issues. The report has not been published, but their formal feedback made a point of noting the ‘inspiring’ accommodation services, at which many of Nathan’s efforts have been directed, saying they were ‘impressive examples of resettlement workers making huge efforts to secure accommodation for women who were difficult to place.’

CONTACT

For more information: contact HMP/YOI Bronzefield