Jan 1, 2023

KEITH MCDONAGH (HMP Grendon)

COMMENDEE 2022-23: Described by prisoners as “a real inspiration”, “the hardest worker I’ve ever seen”, and “a prime example of what a man should be”, Keith receives his Commendation for his work and “exceptional leadership”, as a Band 4 Officer on HMP Grendon’s TC+ unit for people with learning disabilities.
Jan 1, 2023

NATALIE MERENDA (East of England Probation Service)

COMMENDEE 2022-23: Natalie’s Commendation is for her work leading the delivery of offending behaviour programmes, on behalf of East of England Probation, to soldiers at the Military Correction and Training Centre, and for the passion and professionalism she brings to all aspects of the role.
Jan 1, 2023

COLIN O’FLAHERTY (HMP Edinburgh)

COMMENDEE 2022-23: Colin receives a Commendation as an Officer and role model at HMP Edinburgh for over 30 years, promoting recovery, family support, and rehabilitation, and leading the annual Christmas Gifts scheme for prisoners’ children. To his Governor, “people like Colin are a dream in any workplace”.
Jan 1, 2023

EVANGELINE SIMPSON (HMP/YOI Chelmsford)

COMMENDEE 2022-23: Evey is Commended for her outstanding contribution to safer custody, as Head of HMP/YOI Chelmsford’s Safety Department, and in particular for her compassionate and tireless support for staff around deaths in custody, from the original incident, through to the Coroner’s inquest and beyond.
Jan 1, 2023

ROBERT TAYLOR (HMP Addiewell)

COMMENDEE 2022-23: Robert is the Trades and Employability lead at HMP Addiewell and is granted a Commendation for his exemplary and inspirational management, his “infectious enthusiasm”, and the passion and commitment he brings to maximising the employment opportunities for prisoners on release.
Jan 1, 2023

KEITH VICKERS (HMP & YOI Hatfield)

COMMENDEE 2022-23: Described as “a remarkable member of staff”, and by one prisoner as simply “ace”, Officer Keith’s Commendation is for his “phenomenal” resettlement work at HMP/YOI Hatfield, more than doubling prisoners in paid outside work, and achieving record levels of employment back in the community.
Jan 1, 2022

ANDREW BLACKMORE (HMP & YOI Woodhill)

AWARD WINNER 2021-22: Andrew wins an Award, as an Officer at HMP/YOI Woodhill, for his diligence, decency, and unwavering positivity; for his outstanding de-escalation skills with prisoners, and support and encouragement of colleagues; and for producing a guide for new staff which is now being taken up elsewhere. [This Award is supported by Mitie Care & Custody.]
Jan 1, 2022

GRAHAM DUNCAN (HMP Channings Wood)

AWARD WINNER 2021-22: Graham receives an Award as a “role model for prisoners and staff” in his work as a Supervisory Officer at HMP Channings Wood, as “an exemplar of compassion for others”, and in particular for his truly exceptional contribution to staff well-being in the prison, which is now widely recognised as best practice. [This Award is supported by the Prison Officers Association.]
Jan 1, 2022

LES EGAN (HMP & YOI Hatfield)

AWARD WINNER 2021-22: Nominated as a Custodial Manager at HMP/YOI Hatfield, after 40 years in the Service, Les’s Award is for his remarkable and unfailing commitment to rehabilitation and resettlement, his outstanding support for prisoners and staff, and his “enthusiasm, drive and determination, [which] knows no bounds”. [This Award is supported by Sodexo Justice Services.]
Jan 1, 2022

NATHAN GREWAL (HMP & YOI Brinsford)

AWARD WINNER 2021-22: Described as “inspirational” by the Governor, Nathan receives an Award for his “ground-breaking” work, as a Prison Officer at HMP/YOI Brinsford, helping to tackle gang-related violence in the jail – employing his drive and “fantastic rapport with prisoners” to achieve “outstanding results”. [This Award is supported by Serco Justice Services.]
Jan 1, 2022

MATT HILLARD (HMP & YOI Cardiff)

AWARD WINNER 2021-22: A teacher at HMP/YOI Cardiff, Matt wins an Award for his work on Knox TV – a station he set up, from scratch and with no prior experience, to help keep the prisoners educated and entertained during Covid; and for which he produced most of the content, much of it in his own time. [This Award is supported by The Bromley Trust.]
Jan 1, 2022

JULIE JONES (HMP & YOI Parc)

AWARD WINNER 2021-22: Julie wins an Award, as the Schools & Prisons Family Coordinator at HMP/YOI Parc, for her tireless dedication, skill and compassion – evidenced in testimonies from many of those with whom she’s worked – in her ground-breaking work with prisoners and their children. [This Award is supported by The Hanley Trust.]