COMMENDEE 2018-19: Kevin is a Supervising Officer at HMP Grendon. He is granted a Commendation for being an outstanding and caring role model for both colleagues and offenders, who is noted in particular for his calm and authoritative leadership in challenging situations. [Kevin also receives the POA Award for outstanding work by a prison officer, supported by the Prison Officers Association.]

COMMENDEE 2018-19: Mush is a Programme Tutor at HMP & YOI Polmont. She receives a Commendation for the passion and dedication she brings to her work, and for her success in encouraging and nurturing a love of learning among some of the system’s most complex and challenging young people.

COMMENDEE 2018-19: Sarah is the founder and CEO of Children Heard and Seen, a charity offering support and mentoring to the children of prisoners. She is Commended for her transformational work at HMP Huntercombe in addressing the often unmet and overlooked needs of this “invisible group.”

COMMENDEE 2018-19: Emma is an Offender Supervisor at HMP & YOI Bronzefield. She receives a Commendation for the quality and humanity of her work with the women of Bronzefield, and for her dedication and passion in helping to promote a restorative justice culture across the prison.

COMMENDEE 2018-19: Adam, from Sefton Council for Voluntary Service, receives a Commendation for his inspiring leadership of the Merseyside Offender Mentoring Project, which provides mentoring and befriending support to offenders from HMP Liverpool, both in custody and after release.

COMMENDEE 2018-19: Michael is a Supervising Officer at HMP Grendon. He is Commended for “a lifetime contribution to the Prison Service,” and in particular for his pivotal role in the prison’s new Therapeutic Community Plus unit for prisoners with learning difficulties.

COMMENDEE 2018-19: Chris is the Business Engagement Manager at HMP & YOI Hatfield. He receives a Commendation for his inspirational approach to training the men in his care. His work, helping create new opportunities for offenders, includes the aptly named prison farm shop, ‘Thyme Served’.

COMMENDEE 2018-19: Marie is a Behavioural Change Officer at HMP Low Moss. She is granted a Commendation for her work in developing and leading ‘Talking Heads’, a support group for prisoners with complex mental health issues, giving them a chance to safely explore difficult issues.

COMMENDEE 2018-19: Lesley is the Managing Chaplain at HMP Send. She receives a Commendation for creating a network of over 80 volunteers to provide counselling and support to the women at Send, and for developing the prison’s ‘Managing Connections’ mentoring initiative.