AWARD WINNER 2017-18: Kerry is the Safer Custody Lead for Yorkshire Prisons Group, and wins an Award for the outstanding guidance, training and support she has provided to frontline staff throughout the group. Her work has led to major reductions in suicide and self harm, as well as in violence towards both prisoners and staff. [This Award is supported by Seetec Justice.]

AWARD WINNERS 2017-18: Karen and Laura are Prison Officers at HMP/YOI Low Newton. They are granted an Award for their outstanding contributions to the establishment’s Primrose Service for women with personality disorders, who, as Karen and Laura note, ‘are almost invariably victims of crime, as well as perpetrators’. [This Award is supported by the Prison Officers Association.]

AWARD WINNER 2017-18: Jackie is the Regimes and Equality & Diversity Manager at Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre. She receives her Award for being ‘a shining light’ in a very challenging environment, and she is renowned among both staff and detainees for her ‘hands-on’ approach in the care and support she provides. [This Award is supported by Working Links.]

AWARD WINNER 2017-18: Paulette is a longstanding volunteer at HMP/YOI Styal. Nominated by one prisoner, and described by another as ‘my guardian angel’, she wins an Award for the outstanding dedication, care and humanity she shows to the women in the prison, and for her unwavering commitment to their dignity. [This Award is supported by MTCnovo.]

AWARD WINNER 2017-18: Eileen is a volunteer counsellor at HMP/YOI Styal. Described by the Governor as ‘exceptional’, she wins an Award for the outstanding support she has provided, over many years, to both prisoners and staff, and for developing a network of volunteers now delivering over 50 hours of counselling each week. [This Award is supported by Sodexo Justice Services.]

COMMENDEE 2017-18: Mark is a Horticultural Instructor at HMP/YOI Isis, and is Commended for the care he shows towards the young prisoners he works with, and his gift at ‘bringing out the best’ in this vulnerable and challenging group.

COMMENDEES 2017-18: John and Neill, Prison Officers at HMP Maghaberry in Northern Ireland, were nominated by a prisoner and are Commended for their ‘Family Matters’ project, which brings hope, trust, and reconciliation to prisoners and their families.

COMMENDEE 2017-18: Ruth is a Substance Misuse Team Leader at HMP/YOI Thorn Cross, and receives a Commendation for being ‘a beacon of light’ and contributing, through her skill and dedication, to one of the lowest drug rates in the country.

COMMENDEE 2017-18: Brian is the Learning Centre Manager at HMP Perth, and is Commended for three decades of commitment to promoting literacy and family learning, and the many innovative initiatives he has driven forward.

COMMENDEE 2017-18: Jason is a Carpentry Instructor at HMP/YOI Parc; he is Commended for his outstanding ability to connect with young people, and was described by an education inspector as ‘the most inspirational teacher I have ever met’.