Oct 3, 2015

DAVE WILLIS (HMP Huntercombe)

COMMENDEE 2015-16: Dave, now a senior manager at HMP Huntercombe, is Commended for his unfailing commitment to decency, and the compassion and skill he has shown, throughout his career, in his management of both prisoners and staff.
Nov 27, 2014

JAMES BAMFORD (Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire CRC)

AWARD WINNER 2014-15: James, now a Senior Probation Officer at BGSW CRC, is granted an Award for all-round excellence in his work as a Probation Officer in Wiltshire, and was nominated in particular for helping to transform, and secure the long term future of, a hostel threatened with closure. According to his nomination, his achievements “go well above and beyond what could be expected of any individual in the context of their normal working day”.
Nov 25, 2014

JOANNE BENSON (Darlington Youth Offending Service)

AWARD WINNER 2014-15: Jo wins an Award for her work as Manager of Darlington Youth Offending Service, which, under her leadership, has been rated “outstanding” by the Youth Justice Board and has seen a huge reduction in first time youth offenders entering the court system. Jo is described in her nomination as “a dedicated and skilled leader, who really cares for the welfare of her vulnerable young charges”.
Nov 23, 2014

PAUL CONLEY & RITA CONLEY (HMP Wymott)

AWARD WINNERS 2014-15: Paul and Rita, Majors in the Salvation Army, receive an Award for their volunteer chaplaincy work over more than 17 years, in particular for the services they have set up for HMP Wymott’s elderly and disabled prisoners. According to their nomination, they are “a priceless resource for Wymott’s growing elderly prisoner group” and “the commitment they show is amazing”. [This Award is supported by Sodexo Justice Services.]
Nov 21, 2014

CLARE COWELL (HMP Grendon)

AWARD WINNER 2014-15: Clare gets her Award for the care, dedication and compassion that she brings to her role as a Prison Officer. She was taken hostage by a prisoner in 1995 and considers that the driving force behind her passion to understand and help those in her charge. Clare’s Governor describes her as “quite simply… the best officer currently working at Grendon”. [This Award is supported by the Prison Officers Association.]
Nov 19, 2014

KATH DAVIES, PAUL GOODRIDGE, DAVID GRIFFITHS & JOHN WATTS (HMP/YOI Parc)

AWARD WINNERS 2014-15: Manager, Paul, nurse, Kath, and Officers, David and John, receive an Award for their outstanding work in the support and care of older prisoners at HMP & YOI Parc. A recent inspection report noted, “It says much about the ethos of the prison that during the inspection one prisoner asked to return from hospital to die among people he knew, and who cared not just for but about him”. [This Award is supported by The Manchester College.]
Nov 17, 2014

TREVOR LEWIS (HMP Exeter)

AWARD WINNER 2014-15: Trevor is granted an Award for his dedication and professionalism over four decades as a PE Officer, as well as for his contribution to all aspects of prison life at HMP Exeter. He was nominated by 15 prisoners, one of whom described Trevor as “a gentleman and a role model for all staff”, while his Governor praised “his jailcraft [as] some of the finest I have seen”. [Trevor is also granted the Keith Bromley Award for Education & Skills Training.]
Nov 15, 2014

DAVID MINERS (National Probation Service, South West & South Central)

AWARD WINNER 2014-15: Now a MAPPA Co-ordinator with the National Probation Service, and described in his nomination as “a dedicated and highly resilient individual”, David wins an Award for his work as a Probation Manager, in turning around a failing Approved Premises in the Avon and Somerset area, and ensuring the effective and compassionate management and care of those residents with mental health issues.
Nov 13, 2014

PRISCILLA SAMUEL (National Probation Service, London)

AWARD WINNER 2014-15: Priscilla receives an Award for her work as a Probation Officer with offenders, often high-risk and high-profile, who have been charged with terrorism offences. Widely praised for her skill and professionalism by colleagues both inside probation and more widely, the head of the National Probation Service in London described Priscilla as “a shining example of excellent professional probation practice”. [This Award is supported by Interserve.]
Nov 11, 2014

ELIZABETH SHAPLAND (HMP Bullingdon)

AWARD WINNER 2014-15: Now based at HMP Bullingdon, and previously at HMPs Elmley and Standford Hill, Elizabeth is granted an Award for her 25 years as a volunteer providing bereavement counselling to both prisoners and staff. According to one of the many prisoners who supported her nomination, “Elizabeth is like a shining light in the prisoner’s darkness, and she has clearly dedicated her life to help those who are lost”. [This Award is supported by Serco Home Affairs.]
Nov 9, 2014

JOHANNE TOMLINSON (HMP Stafford)

AWARD WINNER 2014-15: Johanne, a nurse at HMP Stafford, receives an Award for her work in the management and care of prisoners with anxiety disorders, in particular with veterans with PTSD and related conditions. Johanne was nominated by a prisoner, and armed-services veteran, who praised her “complete dedication, understanding, commitment and professionalism”. [This Award is supported by G4S Care & Justice Services.]
Nov 7, 2014

STEVE BAXTER (HMP Littlehey)

COMMENDEE 2014-15: Steve is granted a Commendation, as a tutor in the Motor Mechanics workshop at HMP Littlehey, for creating a highly respected training programme to equip prisoners with work-related qualifications, skills and experience.