prison officer of the year 2014...t paul murray is prison officer of the year 2014 prison officer of...

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Paul Murray is Prison Officer of the Year 2014

Prison Officer of the Year 2014

Category winners

Decency

Diversity and Equality

Prisoner Care and Management

Public Protection: Security and Risk Management

Reducing Reoffending

Safer Custody

Staff Support

Working in Partnership

Lifetime Achievement

All winners and finalists

Paul Murray, from HMP Liverpool, has been named Prison Officer of the Year 2014 by Michael Spurr, NOMS Chief Executive Officer. Paul was named winner of the Safer Custody category at the event earlier in the evening. Explaining why he chose Paul as the winner Michael said: “Not only has he developed an innovative programme to tackle gang culture, he has worked really well with individuals to help

them change. “He has developed really effective links with partners to use intelligence to disrupt gangs in Liverpool and his outstanding contribution is making a difference.” Collecting his prize Paul said: “After seeing what everyone else had done, I thought there are a lot more likely winners than me. “I’m amazed to be honest.”

Champion for Safer Custody: Paul Murray

Prison Officer of the Year Awards 2014

Paul has been judged as excellent by HMIP and has been groundbreaking in addressing gang violence issues

Judging panel

Category winners

Lifetime Achievement Pat CresswellHMP Nottingham

Prisoner Care and ManagementSimon RoseHMP Gartree

Safer Custody Paul MurrayHMP Liverpool

Decency Deborah CarlinHMP Leyhill

Public ProtectionMark LewisHMP Prescoed

Staff SupportAnthony RollinsonHMP Long Lartin

Diversity and Equality Lindsay BeadnallHMP Gartree

Reducing ReoffendingRachel TonesHMP & YOI Low Newton

Working in Partnership Andrew LaidlawHMP Liverpool


Category winners

Decency





Safer Custody

Staff Support




2014

Judging panelCHAIR

Phil Copple Director of Public Sector Prisons, NOMS

STANDING JUDGES

Nigel Atkinson Governing Governor, HMP HewellBabafemi DadaGoverning Governor, HMP Werrington

Ali Dodds Staff Officer to Director of Public Sector Prisons, NOMS

Paul Foweather Governing Governor, HMP Full Sutton

Chantel King Governing Governor, HMP Leyhill

Nick Leader Director, HMP Peterborough

Mark Livingstone Governing Governor, HMP Buckley Hall

Avowed advocate for dignityThis award recognises those who champion the treatment of prisoners with decency in a caring and secure environment. Deborah Carlin does just that.

Following a terminally ill prisoner’s request to die among his peers at Leyhill, Deb has diligently led a multi-disciplinary team to create a palliative care unit on one of the main residential areas. Thanks to her efforts the prison now has an environment where prisoners can die with humanity and decency.She is also an advocate for the many older prisoners at Leyhill, working with her team and

outside agencies to develop better regime opportunities for this often sidelined group to ensure they do not become isolated.Deb’s ability and drive to go the extra mile for terminally ill offenders and their families, as well as her dedication to providing an inclusive regime for all prisoners at Leyhill, make her an outstanding champion of decency.

Decency winner2014


Category winners

Decency





Safer Custody

Staff Support




View the other category finalists profiles

Outstanding workin improving the quality of lifefor Leyhill’sprisonersJudging panel

Deborah CarlinHMP Leyhill

t Carole HaltonHMP Wymott

When the closure of Northallerton was announced, Helen was given responsibility for allocating offenders to their new establishments. Her hard work and commitment to ensuring that everything went smoothly led to every prisoner leaving with a comprehensive handover for the receiving prison, which they had been personally involved in.

Helen also ensured prisoners with specific needs or anxieties were

accompanied on their transfer. Staff shortages meant Helen herself sometimes performed this role, often in her own time.

Throughout this period Helen put her uncertainty about her own future aside to focus on addressing individual prisoner needs and ensuring that all prisoners felt valued and listened to.

Helen perfectly demonstrates a genuine commitment to decency.

As a Visits Booking Clerk Carole treats all callers with immense empathy.When the parents of one offender rang Carole, concerned that they had not heard from their son, she personally went to check on him. After helping him send out some visiting orders, she reported back to the parents that he had settled in well, putting their minds at rest.

Such behaviour is typical and Carole

is often asked to attend visits by families who wish to thank her for all her help and support on the phone.

She regularly attends Family Forum meetings, which she uses to resolve issues with families face to face, and her approachable nature has significantly reduced the number of queries the booking line receives.

Carole’s kindness and sense of decency knows no bounds. She is an asset to Wymott.

Helen BatesHMP & YOI Northallerton (now Wealstun)

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Category winners

Decency





Safer Custody

Staff Support




2014Decency shortlisted finalists

A remarkable commitment to addressing prisoner needsJudging panel

A tremendous example of going above and beyond the call of duty in supporting family contactJudging panel

Force for equal awarenessThis award recognises those who have been an advocate and champion for diversity in their establishment. It is here Lindsay Beadnall has broken new ground.

Lindsay is an innovative and enthusiastic champion of equalitiy issues at HMP Gartree.Her work with Through Trade sexual health was pivotal in the development of the first sexual health DVD for offenders in the UK, which is now used across the prison estate.She has also developed training packages for staff on Autism Awareness, Dementia and the Gypsy Roma Traveller community to ensure they understand, raise

awareness of, and assist all those living and working in the prison.Thanks to Lindsay, Gartree is one of only two public sector prisons to attain the ‘Leaders In Diversity’ award.Lindsay’s personal commitment to the equality agenda and the approach that she uses is a great example of someone who really cares about getting it right.

Diversity and Equality winner


Category winners

Decency





Safer Custody

Staff Support





2014

An inspirational driving force at Gartree. A true ambassador for positive changeJudging panel

Lindsay BeadnallHMP Gartree

Robert NivenHMP & YOI Wetherby

As Diversity Liaison Officer Chris felt that the needs of older prisoners were not being met. His solution was creating a garden especially for elderly and disabled prisoners. Chris drove the project, often spending hours of his own time working on the design, including raised beds and wheelchair access, and ensuring deadlines were met.

These once neglected prisoners now have a communal space to

spend time in which has greatly improved their standard of life.

Chris also established a new scheme for identifying older prisoners on reception and monitoring their wellbeing throughout their time at Littlehey.

Chris has given this often sidelined group of prisoners an identity and a voice, and is an example of diversity work at its best.

Rob’s confident yet approachable style has quickly gained the trust of the young people in Wetherby and the joint consultation team he has set up now allows boys and staff to share ideas and work through issues before equality-related incidents of unrest arise.He also took it upon himself to develop and implement new systems to better manage young

people with disabilities.

Thanks to Rob, these prisoners have an improved care plan in place for emergencies to ensure they get the help they would need in the event of a fire or evacuation at the prison.

Rob works hard to deliver a better environment for all at Wetherby and provides an excellent example of inclusivity at its best.

Chris HallHMP Littlehey

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Diversity and Equality shortlisted finalists


Category winners

Decency





Safer Custody

Staff Support




2014

Exceptional work to improve facilities and prisoners’ experienceJudging panel

Rob has been pivotal in improving understanding and inclusivityJudging panel

Proactive model for changeThis award recognises an individual who impressively manages prisoners with specific needs. In this area Simon Rose shows genuine humanity and professionalism.

Simon is a champion of staff-prisoner relationships rooted in care, hope and trust.His reputation for ably supporting the men under Gartree’s care is richly deserved. From working to reunite a previously uncooperative prisoner with his mother, to bringing together a father with the son whose mother he murdered, Simon builds relationships

and brings about change. An innate sense of caring lies at the heart of everything Simon does and he works hard to positively influence his colleagues. He is currently working with managers in the prison to develop their understanding and perceptions of trusting relationships.In short, Simon is an inspiration to others.

Simon RoseHMP Gartree

Prisoner Care and Management winner


Category winners

Decency





Safer Custody

Staff Support





2014

Exceptional work to drive improvements in staff-prisoner relationships and support family contact for prisoners Judging panel

Emmett Larner HMP Pentonville

As Gym Manager, Keith takes a very holistic approach to his work with prisoners, focusing on their physical, social and mental wellbeing.

Over the last two years he has worked with Phoenix Futures to develop Northumberland’s drug recovery unit.

Keith has designed a number of weekly team building sessions and activities for prisoners on the unit, which are now an integral

and highly valued part of the regime. He has also created training courses to provide them with job ready qualifications.

These activities have fostered a community spirit and aided the recovery of everyone on the unit.

Keith’s commitment to the welfare of prisoners makes a significant contribution to the stability of the prison and is truly inspirational.

Emmett’s skill and reputation as an exceptional healthcare officer is widely known throughout Pentonville.For the past year he has been running an ‘Introduction to mental health’ course so all new staff understand the issues that prisoners suffering from poor mental health may have.

Staff are now more likely to speak up in support of prisoners whose poor behaviour had been unrecognised as

mental illness.

Emmett always seeks to find ways to engage with patients who many see as unmanageable. He treats each and every one with dignity and fairness, often overcoming mistrust so that they begin to engage with treatment.

His efforts have undoubtedly saved lives and the impact he has had on prisoner care at Pentonville is immense.

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Prisoner Care and Management shortlisted finalists


Category winners

Decency





Safer Custody

Staff Support




2014

Keith Borthwick HMP Northumberland

Keith is committed to planning effectively for each prisoner’s release Judging panel

An exceptional officer involved in a very challenging environment Judging panel

Master of offender management This award is for those who constantly strive to improve their prison’s security record, minimise risk and protect the public. Here, Mark Lewis is highly effecttive.

As an offender supervisor Mark has responsibility for a challenging caseload of around 35 Indeterminate Sentenced Prisoners each with complex needs and concerns. Mark deals effectively with each of them on an individual basis. Always ensuring every prisoner contact is meaningful, his daily interactions epitomise new ways of working. And using his integrity, honesty and commitment he ensures that

the prisoners in his care engage and move forward with their rehabilitation.Mark has also significantly improved working practices within the Offender Management Unit reconfiguring the working environment and introducing prisoner drop-in sessions. His commitment and dedication has helped change the lives of numerous offenders.


Category winners

Decency





Safer Custody

Staff Support





Public Protection: Security and Risk Management winner2014

Mark shows tremendous skills, integrity and commitment to public protectionJudging panel

Mark LewisHMP Prescoed

Stuart NobleHMP Kirklevington Grange

Stu is known for constantly looking for ways to improve the security of Kirklevington Grange and is a master at reviewing and revising procedures.When Stu took responsibility for the prison’s procedures for working with the police if a prisoner absconds while Released on Temporary Licence, the changes he made proved typically effective. Following his work, the first prisoner to abscond (after an 8 month period with no

absconds) was returned to custody within just 12 hours.

Similarly impressive, Stu has also made great strides in Mandatory Drug Treatment. He has been credited with keeping the prison on target with testing rates and ensuring the intelligence is joined up to ensure compliance and reduce risk.

Stu has a well earned reputation for delivering solutions rather than problems. He truly is an example of effective public protection in action.

Jo’s background in security and corruption prevention has proved invaluable to her work in Swaleside’s Correspondence Department.When it comes to spotting illicit substances in parcels and items of property, Jo has a keen eye. She has singlehandedly been responsible for preventing significant quantities of drugs and other contraband reaching prisoners.

Seizing the initiative, Jo asked to attend an x-ray course so that she

could take her investigations one step further whenever she had suspicions about a piece of correspondence.

Jo’s excellent memory also provided the missing link in a professional standards investigation leading to an inappropriate staff-prisoner relationship being uncovered and closed a potential trafficking route.

Jo’s commitment to her work and her discoveries have helped to make Swaleside a safer place for staff and prisoners.

Jocelyn ManningHMP Swaleside

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Public Protection: Security and Risk Management shortlisted finalists


Category winners

Decency





Safer Custody

Staff Support




2014

Jo reliably delivers a high standard of security workJudging panel

Excellent public protection work liaising with outside partners and colleagues Judging panel

Mentor for mended lives

This award recognises the outstanding work done by those who deliver the services that help to reduce reoffending. An area where Rachel Tones is excelling.

Rachel has worked relentlessly to inspire female prisoners to engage with enterprise through the development of the ‘Sewing Sisters’ business venture at Low Newton.She has devised a timetable for the women reflecting a full working day and personally delivers sessions herself, promoting self-esteem and providing valuable vocational qualifications for use on release. It is proving successful with one prisoner acknowledging she hadn’t self-harmed since taking part in the

enterprise because it was helping her to overcome her own personal barriers to change.Rachel constantly looks to maximise Release on Temporary Licence opportunities for women on the resettlement unit by seeking out placements which best match the women’s skills. Her innovative approach and determination to empower women make her an asset in the field of reducing reoffending.

Reducing Reoffending winner


Category winners

Decency





Safer Custody

Staff Support





2014

Rachel embraces her responsibilities as an opportunity to drive improvements in prisoners’ livesJudging panel

Rachel TonesHMP & YOI Low Newton

Caroline KnightHMYOI Aylesbury

Alex always strives to provide prisoners with hope and an opportunity for an offence free life.

When she noticed that the needs of prisoners with learning difficulties were not being consistently met, Alex acted decisively, writing a new policy, introducing a local Learning Disability Board and putting new processes in place to help staff recognise possible signs and know what to do next. Her changes have improved local understanding and, vitally, prisoners’ access to services.

Working on Offending Behaviour Programmes Alex takes a multi-disciplinary approach liaising with offender managers and advising on risk management strategies to great effect. She also provides motivational interviewing training to help staff engage prisoners without judgement and encourage them to be open about their risk and motivated to address it.

Committed and conscientious, Alex makes a tangible difference.

Caz always encourages prisoners to participate in family life, and regularly organises Lifer and Family Days for those in her care.Delivering with drive she was instrumental in bringing the ‘Father’s Inside’ course to Aylesbury, educating prisoners about still having a role in their children’s lives even though they are in custody.

Caz also played a key role in the

developing of the prison’s new resettlement wing and has worked hard to motivate prisoners to use the opportunities available to them. Her effects have resulted in a settled wing which has experienced no violence and few alarm bells in six months.

Caz fully embraces the concept of ‘every contact matters’ and always speaks to the person, not the prisoner. There is no doubt that Caz plays a valuable role in changing many lives for the better.

Alex Gill HMP Full Sutton

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Reducing Reoffendingshortlisted finalists


Category winners

Decency





Safer Custody

Staff Support




2014

A key player in Offending Behaviour Programmes at Full SuttonJudging panel

High quality work with lifers and others on the resettlement unit Judging panel

Keen campaigner for safer prisonsThis award recognises those who are committed to keeping prisoners safe and making prison environments safer. Paul Murray impresses at this.

When tasked with addressing HMP Liverpool’s gang violence issues, Paul grasped the opportunity with both hands.Largely using his own time outside of the prison, he researched and designed an interactive ‘Gangs, Guns and Knives’ course which encourages prisoners to talk about their life experiences and the negative effect this has had on them, their families and victims.Not only has Paul delivered this course at nil cost to over 100

prisoners but he has also adapted it so that it can be delivered on a one-to-one basis to offenders who have demonstrated violence within the prison.It is currently in the process of receiving Prison Service validation and other establishments have expressed an interest in delivering it. Paul’s vision and creativity have made him a real champion of violence reduction.

Safer Custody winner


Category winners

Decency





Safer Custody

Staff Support





2014

Paul is a quite outstanding Violence Reduction Coordinator who has been ground breaking in making Liverpool saferJudging panel

Paul MurrayHMP Liverpool

Karen Miller HMP Holme House

Seamus has worked tirelessly to improve the processes around all elements of safer custody since Wandsworth received a damning inspection report in 2011.

He devised and implemented the innovative Complex Case meetings for prisoners with particularly challenging needs, which have since been praised by the Inspectorate as ‘an excellent tool for helping particularly vulnerable prisoners’.

Seamus works closely with offenders

in distress and always demonstrates high levels of care and compassion.

In the last two years incidents of self-harm at Wandsworth have reduced significantly and the number of Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork documents at the prison has halved.

Seamus is credited with driving forward these improvements and changing the way in which Wandsworth manages safety. He fully deserves this recognition.

Karen’s commitment to her Family Liaison Officer role is second to none and her manner in dealing with bereaved families has been described as extraordinary.

Her role was especially gruelling last year when Holme House experienced a spate of deaths in custody in a very short amount of time, but Karen stepped up to the mark, even visiting a family in her own time to support

them immediately following their bereavement.

Karen also volunteered to train in Palliative Care and has made great strides in supporting families in the lead up to, and following, the death of terminally ill prisoners.

Karen routinely goes beyond the norm to support others with little consideration of her own time, and demonstrates everything that is good about the Prison Service.

Seamus George HMP Wandsworth

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Safer Custody shortlisted finalists


Category winners

Decency





Safer Custody

Staff Support




2014

Seamus’ passion to improve safety and staff confidence shines throughJudging panel

Karen goes the extra mile in delivering care, support and empathy for prisoners, staff and their familiesJudging panel

Going the extra mileStaff support forms the backbone of every successful prison and this award recognises individuals, like Anthony Rollinson, who are rocks for their establishments.

As a Physical Education Instructor, Anthony is well known for going that extra mile to support staff and boost morale at Long Lartin. He regularly runs workout sessions for staff during his lunch break and is often approached by colleagues wanting advice on health and fitness.He creates and tailors training and diet plans to assist staff in achieving their health goals and helps in the staff fitness centre

outside of work.When a colleague was diagnosed with cancer last year Anthony supported the family and organised a number of charity events raising nearly £20,000 for the Queen Elizabeth Cancer Appeal.Anthony’s kind nature and eagerness to help his peers both inside and outside of work makes him a real staff champion.

Staff Support winner – voted by staff


Category winners

Decency





Safer Custody

Staff Support





2014

Anthony is exactly the kind of person you want to have supporting staffJudging panel

Anthony RollinsonHMP Long Lartin

Graham QuinnHMP Huntercombe

When incidents which affect staff take place, as Birmingham’s Care Team Leader, Clover is quick to learn about them and immediately start to provide the relevant support.She willingly provides staff with the emotional support and practical advice they need whether it is post-incident, returning to work following illness or when attending court.

Clover invests her time both in and

outside of the prison freely and always with a cheerful disposition. Her sensitivity and commitment to the need for confidentiality knows no bounds and has played a huge role in helping many staff through a variety of difficult circumstances.

There is no doubt that Clover demonstrates all that is good about supporting those she works with.

When the new ways of working were introduced at Huntercombe, Graham’s patience proved invaluable last year.The Operational Support Grades were the first to move to the benchmark model and Graham took responsibility for explaining the changes, spending hours of his time with individuals, and groups, answering questions.

Many were concerned about the new

collective responsibilities so Graham ensured training was put in place to give them the confidence to deliver their new tasks.

During the first few weeks of the new shift patterns he worked in the gate at key times of the day, both early and in the evening, to assist his staff and aid a seamless transition.

Tireless commitment to his staff has paid dividends and shows what an effective and empathetic manager can achieve.

Clover Lacey HMP Birmingham

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Staff Support shortlisted finalists


Category winners

Decency





Safer Custody

Staff Support




2014

Clover has an impressive way of meeting the needs of individuals at Birmingham

Judging panel

Graham shows admirable commitment to helping colleagues through change

Judging panel

Joint legacy builderThis category honours those individuals who know the value of joint efforts with our partners and deliver the best results. Individuals like Andrew Laidlaw.

Andrew is adept at forging strong partnerships. Of particular note is his work with Sefton Community Volunteers Service to fund and set up a prisoner mentoring scheme for offenders serving sentences of less than 12 months.Previously, Liverpool had no specialist support for these short term offenders. Now they are identified prior to release and given an opportunity to meet with a mentor from Sefton Community

Volunteers Service who provides support both before and after they walk out through the prison gates.

Some prisoners have even gone on to become mentors themselves on release.

Andy’s determination and ability to engage and impress a wide range of partners from various sectors has helped to reduce reoffending in Merseyside, and lives on in the ex-offenders who are continuing this groundbreaking work.

Working in Partnership winner

Andrew LaidlawHMP Liverpool


Category winners

Decency





Safer Custody

Staff Support





2014

Andrew has exceptional motivation and commitment to working with partners Judging panel

Gerard Dickinson HMP Huntercombe

As an established Resettlement Officer, Ben firmly believes in the importance of working holistically with a number of partners to meet the needs of offenders. Ben regularly staffs Peterborough’s ‘Outside Links’ through the gate resettlement initiative in addition to his normal day to day work providing prisoners with a tailored package of support on the day of their release

He has diligently used his links with partners within the prison to promote the work of Outside Links which has led to many agencies meeting offenders at the gate and beginning to work with them straightaway.

Ben’s work is genuinely helping to turn the lives around for offenders leaving prison and is an excellent example of partnership working.

Ged has a keen eye on the resettlement of offenders.When Huntercombe re-roled to a foreign national population, he worked tirelessly to identify organisations offering specialist services for these offenders.

While bringing on board these specialist organisations, he also ensured established partners, like JobCentre Plus, adapted their practices to best meet the needs of the new population.

Ged designed a comprehensive document signposting each offender to the organisations which can best meet their specific requirements as well as an International Labour Market file to help them find work in their country of origin.

His work reflects his commitment to helping prisoners resettle and lead a crime free life regardless of where they are being released to.

Ben Baker HMP Peterborough

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Working in Partnership shortlisted finalists


Category winners

Decency





Safer Custody

Staff Support




2014

Ben is a driving force in Peterborough’s resettlement team Judging panel

Impressive work setting up and sustaining key partnerships Judging panel

Over a career spanning 27 years, Pat Cresswell has not just helped change prisoners’ lives but to reshape the culture of the Service.

When Pat joined women did not work in male prisons – she was one of the first.

Alongside that challenge, Pat was the driving force in establishing nation-wide support for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) staff, something which was missing from the Service at that point.

Pat was one of the most influencial founder members of RESPOND,

the group that went on to become RESPECT the staff support network for BME staff.

Patient, enthusiastic and driven, Pat was a catalyst for the group, ensuring they were there to support staff and kept pushing for change in the organisation.

But Pat has always been equally dedicated to helping prisoners. A Physical Education Instructor since 1990, Pat’s long term commitment, motivation and caring, diplomatic approach have followed her into all of her roles within the Service.

Here too she uses her skills to good effect, whether encouraging staff and prisoners to be respectful and treat others with decency, or challenging others on racist and discriminatory views, or pointing someone in the right direction to make sure they get to the services they need.

Pat’s relentless efforts are a great example of resilience that she has maintained for all of her service career. In short, without Pat, the Service wouldn’t be the organisation it is today.

Caring catalyst for change This is the ultimate accolade for long service and professionalism.

Lifetime Achievement winner


Category winners

Decency





Safer Custody

Staff Support




2014

For Pat to have driven the change she did at the time she did is a testiment to her efforts to encourage staff and prisoners to accept each for who they are

Judging panel

Pat CresswellHMP Nottingham

Prison champions: (l-r, top row) Carole Halton, Emmett Larner, Graham Quinn, Ged Dickinson, Stuart Noble, Clover Lacey, Anthony Rollinson, Patricia Cresswell.(l-r, middle row) Ben Baker, Mark Lewis, Andy Laidlaw, Robert Niven, Keith Borthwick, Rachel Oxtoby, Alex Gill, Rachel Tones. (l-r, bottom row) Caroline Knight, Helen Bates, Jocelyn Manning, Lindsay Beadnall, Paul Murray, Simon Rose, Chris Hall, Seamus George, Karen Miller, Deborah Carlin, Michael Spurr (NOMS CEO).



Category winners

Decency





Safer Custody

Staff Support




2014

prison officer of the year 2014...t paul murray is prison officer of the year 2014 prison officer of...

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