Each year NEPACS makes a number of awards to prison staff, probation staff and voluntary sector organisations to highlight the work of exceptional individuals or innovative good practice in promoting resettlement.

The aim is to maintain a focus on rehabilitation within the criminal justice system and to ensure that good practice and ideas are broadcast as widely as possible so that they can be replicated elsewhere.

Read more about award winners below.  For more information, please contact: info@nepacs.co.uk

2011 Awards 

North East Businessman Sir Peter Vardy praised the work of everyone involved in resettlement as "inspirational", when he presented the 2011 awards at Lumley Castle on 27 June.

2010 Awards

This year the awards were presented at Lumley Castle, on Friday 2 July by Sir Alan Beith, MP for Berwick upon Tweed and Chairman of the House of Commons Justice Committee.

In his speech after presenting the awards Sir Alan referred to the call by Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke a few days earlier for more to be done to bring down prison numbers and reduce re-offending, saying that Probation and prison officers, agency workers and volunteers in the North East are setting an example. Sir Alan said "I was delighted that Kenneth Clarke has come out so clearly so soon about where the government wants to go with prisons and the resettlement of prisoners. These NEPACS Awards show the kind of work that is already being done and I congratulate everyone involved. What we need is more of it."

He added:"In simple financial terms it does not make sense to maintain the largest prison population in Europe, while trying to save money everywhere else. The government has to deal with the fundamental elements that drive crime, including drugs and alcohol, but we also have to recognise that for many offenders, prison officers are the only positive role models they ever have, so their time in prison has to be used effectively, helping to prevent them re-offending."

AWARDS

Middlesbrough Approved Premises Team, Durham Tees Valley Probation Jackaleen Woodhead, Phil Mousher, Debra Jackson Clapham
This team, comprising several grades of probation staff, operating over two approved premises in Middlesbrough, is commended in particular for producing a monthly magazine worked on and contributed to by staff and inmates, which has proved exceptionally successful at improving the relationships between staff and inmates and the inmates themselves, as well as teaching new skills and uncovering and giving an arena for talents, boosting confidence and self-esteem. This initiative is one of many by the Approved Premises Team, including Job Club, Art Project, Tenancy Awareness and social activity nights, all contributing to the resettlement of inmates into the community.

Simon Stoker, HMP Holme House
Simon is the Prison Officer seconded to Middlesbrough Integrated Offender Management Team, one of only a handful in the country and the first in the North East. He has 100% success in recruiting selected offenders to take part, extending their sentence planning to continue seamlessly after release with agencies in the community. His work has broken new ground in building relationships between prison and agencies in the community, leading to interest in similar secondment schemes in the region and further afield.

Norman Wilson, HMP Low Newton
Norman has been involved in the evolution of what is now the Offender Management Unit at Low Newton for nearly 10 years, and has been a key figure locally and to some extent nationally in drawing up a training package for case administrators in the new model, as well as facilitating practical experience to back the theory up. He is also Voluntary and Community Sector Coordinator, building up many working relationships with external agencies. He is described as a continual source of support, and commended for his professionalism.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Elaine Lumley - formerly Chief Officer, National Probation Service, Teesside
Elaine was Chief Officer in Teesside for nine years up to March this year, when she retired after 26 years in the service. She made a remarkable journey from service volunteer to Chief Officer in the same locality, working with fellow professionals, partner agencies and local communities, as well as offenders themselves. In helping to shape the current Probation Trust for Durham Tees Valley, Elaine has upheld traditional values in a modern setting.

HIGHLY COMMENDED CERTIFICATES

HMYOI Deerbolt, Barnard Castle

Amanda Moffett Senior Officer, Offender Management Unit
For her hard work implementing father child visits, and commitment to making visits successful for prisoners and visitors

Linda Fenwick Visitors' Centre Manager
For her commitment to and very positive running of the Visitors' Centre

HMP Durham

PASRO ( Prisons Addressing Substance Related Offending) Team
Chloe Graham, Steve Bestford, Andy Huntingdon, Nikki Ledger, Caroline Clare, Emma Whittaker
For delivering this cognitive behavioural programme, with prisoners who are often challenging, including helping develop resettlement action plans.

Abi Hamoodizadeh Executive Officer
For work on a number of projects including co-ordination and implementation of the Integrated Drug Treatment System and Drug Strategy in HMP Durham.

HMP Frankland, Durham

Catherine Chesterton Visitors' Centre Manager
For her support and drive of the many resettlement and family related initiatives at Frankland over the last few years

HMP Holme House, Stockton

Lesley Dixon - - New Bridge
For co-ordinating and delivering the New Bridge Family Matters courses at Holme House and supporting prison staff involved

Visitors' Centre staff
For their excellent service to visitors and the prison, and especially for Ros Thompson, their team leader, after 20 years service.

HMP Kirklevington, North Yorkshire

Sue Hammond, Volunteer Outreach Worker, Jigsaw (Rape & Sexual Abuse Counselling service)
For her dedication to this difficult work, which impacts strongly on resettlement.

HMP & YOI Low Newton, Durham

Contraception & Sexual Healing Clinic staff (NHS), HMP Low Newton
For their very successful implementation of this new service for women about to leave prison, which delivers an equivalent service of contraception and sexual disease information and advice to those available in the community.

NACRO Pyramid Project, Stockton

Jackie Rymer, Alison Staines
For their hard work and commitment to providing practical and emotional support with resettlement needs and engagement with the local community.

For high resolution copies of the images please email keithseacroft@btinternet.com

2009 Awards

SAPHRON NORTH- County Durham & Darlington Alcohol Rolling Programme
Saphron, of the Durham Probation Service, is the manager of the pioneering Durham Community Alcohol Service's Alcohol Rolling Programme.

The North East is the UK's first region to bring together a wide range of stakeholders -including the NHS, police & probation services and councils - in such a project. The initial pilot scheme in Easington has now gone county-wide. It provides structured day care in community locations to both offenders and non-offenders with alcohol abuse problems. The award recognises a high completion rate and a significant reduction in alcohol use. Saphron has overseen the programme from the outset and shown great enthusiasm and energy in getting it off the ground. She receives the award on behalf of the staff of the programme.
Nominated by Durham Probation, one of the partner agencies in the programme.

KEVIN TREBILLCOCK & JOHN BRIDGEMAN - HMYOI Castington, Northumberland
Prison officers Kevin and John have developed an underused area inside Castington as RITZ (Resettlement and Induction and Training Zone). Providing a warm and friendly environment for learning and peer support, it hosts presentations by service providers, such as Job Centre Plus, CARAT (the Prison Service's in-house care and advice team), and Safer Custody workers, and offers the benefit of more out-of-cell time for the young inmates. It was deemed by the Prison Inspectorate earlier this year 'an excellent facility'. Kevin and John are also involved in magistrate training and host visits from other professional groups. Castington houses about 400 sentenced and unsentenced offenders aged 15-21.
Nominated by HMYOI Castington

GRANT PEARSON, of HMP Holme House, Stockton
Grant, a physical exercise instructor, plays a pivotal role of fostering a supportive and protective approach to working with prisoners and provides them with a positive role model. He was instrumental at Holme House in introducing and supporting the Family Matters course of the charity New Bridge, that is specifically designed for prisoners to tackle issues about being a parent in prison and afterwards . Grant then brought in Level 2 of the course, making Holme House the first in the prison service to do so. He has taken personal responsibility for the success and value to the prisoners of these courses. Linked to this he has been part of a project team introducing Family Visits to the prison, and is now their main organiser. His enthusiasm and determination in introducing new initiatives is benefiting a widening number of prisoners. Holme House has nearly 1,000 adult male inmates, including some young men on remand awaiting trial.
Nominated by HMP Holme House

SPECIAL AWARD FOR RECOGNITION OF OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

CHRISTINE SLASSOR, Children's Projects Manager, NEPACS

Christine has worked for the charity NEPACS since 1996. With her hands-on approach and unstinting hard work she has developed facilities for children and families visiting prisons throughout the Nort East to its present level of excellence. They include play areas in visitors' centres and within prisons. They aim to reduce stress in visits and enable prisoners to maintain family relationships that will support them in their resettlement after release. Her nomination is for her outstanding work and commitment, which are widely respected and valued, and for the optimism and care she has promoted through the years.
Nominated by the HMP Durham Family Links Team

CERTIFICATES OF HIGH COMMENDATION 2009

HMP Acklington

Scott Freebairn Jobcentre Plus Advisor
For exceptional results achieving employment, training and funding for training for prisoners on release.

Jerry Hunter Front of House Manager
For innovative and supportive work on visits.

Chris Kemp Citizens Advice Bureau Advisor
For his work with prisoners, specifically in accommodation and debt problems, and also with prisoners' families.

John Moodie Teacher in Resettlement
For his work in the pre-release programme, specifically in social-confidence building and finance management.

HMYOI Castington

Sandra Stobbs Safer Custody group of the National Offender Management Service
For her work with families in the New Bridge Family Matters course, child parent visits and family phone line.

HMYOI Deerbolt

Amanda Moffett Senior Officer
For her work in promoting Father-Child visits and Family Day events, and for developing the relationship between NEPACS and the prison.

Julie Garbutt Officer in Offender Management Unit
For her work with visitors in Visits Area, and for developing the relationship between NEPACS and the prison.

HMP Durham

The Family Links Team
For their work delivering courses to help prisoners with parenting and relationship issues.

HMP Low Newton

Stephen Whiskens Administrative Officer, Offender Management
For work with the Indeterminate Sentence Public Protection prisoners.

Gary Durham Offender Supervisor
For work on resettlement issues on release of long term and Prolific Priority Offenders.

Sarah Thompson seconded Probation Officer
For specialised working with female sex offenders.

HMP Holme House

OSG/Dog Handler Group

Operational Support Grade staff and dog handlers, for their continual professionalism in a job very much in the public eye which is often taken for granted, that requires high levels of courtesy and skill.

HMP Kirklevington

Barry Vernon retired prison officer
For his work over 16 years forming sound links with the community by bringing local people into prison for carpet bowls sessions and fund-raising tournaments.

Stockton Library Service staff
For their contribution to family learning activities at Kirklevington.

Teesside Probation Service

Gemma Adams, Gillian Sheret and Kay Stallard
For their work in Guided Skill Learning, particularly for individuals with poor educational backgrounds and learning difficulties.

Lynne Urban
For her work in Offender Management in the Redcar area, particularly with High Risk offenders, including cases of domestic violence.

Susan O'Brien
For her work in Offender Management in East Cleveland, showing particular skill and persistence in difficult cases with high risk offenders.

2008 Awards

The 2008 awards were presented on 4 July by Sunderland South MP Chris Mullin at Lumley Castle, Chester-le-Street. Three awards were given, as well as nine certificates recognising high achievement.

Winners

Michelle McCarthy - Head of Learning & Skills , HMP Durham

Michelle, who joined the Prison Service from the Learning and Skills Council in 2006, has reorganised and revitalised activities to equip prisoners with significant qualifications. This boosts their self-respect, confidence and job readiness. She has built up new relationships with the wider community including employers, and improved the prospects for ex-prisoners to find work and cut their risks of re-offending.

John and Maureen Forster - Cowgate Garden Project

John Forster, a Senior Officer at HMYOI Castington, in Northumberland, and his wife Maureen, who manages the Unpaid Work Scheme for Northumbria Probation Service, provided a vital link in a network of bodies and organisations involved in an ongoing five-year Restorative Justice project to improve the gardens of retired people living in Cowgate, Newcastle. It enables offenders to repair the harm that crime causes to victims, communities and to themselves. With help from the Prince's Trust, the young inmates at Castington plant the seed and bring on the plants; Newcastle City Council transport plants to the site, where adult offenders sentenced to carry out Unpaid Work, clear overgrown gardens and create new flower-beds and hanging baskets. The project raises offenders' sense of responsibility and being part of a community.

Liz - an inmate at HMP Low Newton

Liz has provided valuable input and support for other women inmates in promoting personal safety, in preparing for resettlement and maintaining family ties. She became a Listener, one of the helpers trained by the Samaritans, to be on call for fellow inmates to talk to about personal problems, and later, a Listener Co-ordinator, liaising with prison staff and outside organisations to run the service. She has also helped the New Bridge organisation in producing a booklet about children's visits, and with the prison's Housing Advice Office.

 Note: The offender's name has been changed as a matter of support towards her own resettlement.

Certificates for Highly Commended work were awarded to:

Julie Alderton, Durham Probation Service - promoting multi-agency work in Prolific Offender Management in Wear Valley and Teesside.

Sandra Seymour, HMP/YOI Low Newton - Head of Offender Supervision & Public Protection Manager developing highly-regarded risk assessment and protection systems.

Yvonne Pape, HMP/YOI Low Newton - as a seconded Probation Officer, developing the housing advice service for women offenders preparing for release.

Claire Vallente, HMP Durham - Probation Officer, for promoting childcare issues and family ties.

Training & Employment Group, HMP Kirklevington - Prison Officers Chris Brentley, Gary Lamb, Terry Martin and Steve Roberts, who work with Task Forces of prisoners who carry out improvements to property and grounds in the community for the benefit of retired people, school-pupils and others in the Middlesbrough and Stockton areas.

Nacro & Finchale Training College, Durham - Jointly, the College and Nacro, the national crime-reduction charity, have developed an initiative where support workers engage with offenders, before and after release, to help them undertake vocational courses as a step towards a new future. It particularly addresses people with disabilities, those who missed time in mainstream education, and repeat offenders.

Winners 2007

Three awards were given this year, all for work in the community:

Lorraine Beadle, Northumbria Probation Service

For work with colleagues to develop a specialised supervision programme working with those who committed arson offences.

Craig McGuire, Durham Probation Service

For developing a programme of debt counselling, including collaborative work with CAB, that helps alleviate problems that clearly fuel acquisitive crime.

Gordon Wooding, Teesside Probation Service

For work in community service which has succeeded in enabling the community to recognise that the aspiration to rehabilitate is realistic and can work.

Winners 2006

Work in Prison

Sonia Hills, HMP Kirklevington

Work in the Community

Joe Howard, Durham Probation

Winners 2005

Work in Prison

Del Stevens, Northallerton Young Offenders Institution

Work in the Community

Julie McShane, Teesside Probation Officer

Lifetime Achievement Award

Neil Turver, Teesside Senior Probation Officer, at present working at HMP Kirklevington