COMMENDEE 2025-26: Maria has worked at HMP Leeds, in a range of administrative positions, for over 40 years, and is Commended as a role model for her positivity and all-round excellence in everything she does, and for the encouragement and support she gives her colleagues, both personally and professionally.

This nomination was drawn up by Tom McCruden – HOBA, HMP Leeds; and signed off by Rebecca Newby – Governor, HMP Leeds. It followed an initial recommendation from Prison Employment Lead, Emily Holroyd.

Introduction

Maria is the admin support in our Activities Department, based within the Reducing Reoffending unit. She has an impressive 42-year career at HMP Leeds, during which she has worked across many departments. Maria brings unmatched experience and dedication.

Her knowledge is impeccable, and she shares it with all of us to provide vital support. I’d like to celebrate how Maria goes far beyond her duties regularly. She promotes positivity at Leeds by transforming lives, promoting responsibility, and offering hope in an environment where second chances matter most. All the while, she holds our team together with compassion and strength.

Reasons for the nomination

I want to shine a light on somebody who truly embodies what it means to be a team player. Somebody who goes above and beyond, not just in her work, but with her kindness in Reducing Reoffending. Every day, she lifts others up, keeps the morale high, and always seems to know exactly what others need. This may be a word of encouragement, a helping hand, or just being that steady presence. She’s the glue that holds us together and she does this with such grace.

As well as her strong spirit, she’s also more than happy to roll up her (ever so well kept and perfectly ironed) sleeves to get whatever task is set, and gets it done.

Maria is tasked with allocating over 1,000 prisoners to purposeful activity every day. She doesn’t just manage large numbers. She carefully matches skills, rehabilitation goals, and personal growth. Beyond this, she handles a variety of additional tasks, she sets out to familiarise herself about the employment hub activities, group sessions, and the prisoner forums we regularly host. Maria also ensures that the movements staff are well-prepared and confident for the day ahead by clearly explaining ‘who’s doing what, where.’

This hard work lets the day run smoothly, the atmosphere stays positive, and our work loads are then faced head-on with optimism. Boosting that essential team spirit.

Maria is always the one checking in when someone’s having a rough day and makes sure we feel seen, valued, and motivated. She regularly checks on people’s welfare off her own back and commits to making people feel comfortable. Many late evenings she circles the unit to check that those staying late are fed and watered! I’ve lost count on how many times Maria has stayed behind with me to help me finish tasks in prep for an event the following day, always with a huge smile of course. She often waits to leave with you at the same time to help you untie yourself from a busy day. I must also mention her regular gift bags for every celebration, which obviously we all compare and share what we’ve got like giddy children at Christmas.

When I look back on the five years I’ve spent working with Maria, I can’t help but smile. She believed in me during my time as a Prison Officer and stood by me through some incredibly tough and painful personal moments. Her encouragement and constant reminders of my worth made a huge difference, and that’s exactly why I’m here today. She believes in people long before they believe in themselves. And breaks down the barriers we have.

Working with her is a huge privilege and her kindness ripples through the prison. This inspires change and reminds us all why we do what we do. The heart of our team, the patience of a saint, we’re better because of her. If every prison had had a Maria, the Prison Service would be a brighter, more connected place.

Support for the nomination

“Maria Kocsis is a credit to the Prison service. She has built up an extensive knowledge and has experience everywhere, which she uses to support others within her working environment. She takes pride in all aspects of her role and always completes these to a high standard. She is well respected by both colleagues and prisoners and is frequently praised for her professionalism by them if they have come into contact with her. Maria is an advocate for prisoners in the activities office and frequently goes above and beyond to ensure they have the best outcome. Maria is hardworking, reliable, and is generally a wonderful person to be around. She boosts morale daily by bringing light to the working environment and demonstrates integrity in all that she does.”
Kayleigh Bow – Activities Manager

“I work as an employment rep, Maria helps me prep and explains any tasks to me clearly – always with a smile”
Prisoner

“I’d like to recognise Maria’s generosity of time and knowledge sharing which has been invaluable to me since I started my role at HMP Leeds in 2022. If she is unable to help, she always provides me with an alternative point of contact and goes out of her way to ensure that I am included in communications within team activities.
Maria volunteered to be note taker/type up minutes when I first relaunched our meetings to enable me to concentrate on chairing the meetings and get to know staff from other departments in the jail; this is a significant contribution for the monthly meetings and falls outside her job remit (she has managed to do this without it negatively impacting on her other work/that of her team). In supporting the meetings she has enabled us to explore ways of supporting our prisoners, safeguard the reputation of Leeds and facilitate discussions around how we bring change/innovation to our working practices. Maria’s support of colleagues was also recently demonstrated for our brand new Learning and Skills Manager”
Jo Pudan – Head of Education Skills and Work – HMP Leeds

“Maria Kocsis deserves recognition for her outstanding dedication, warmth, and professionalism.
I have worked alongside Maria in both my previous role as an Officer and now as the Neurodiversity Support Manager, I have witnessed first-hand the incredible impact she has on both staff and prisoners alike. Her door is always open, her smile ever-present, and her willingness to help unwavering. It’s no exaggeration to say: find me someone who doesn’t know Maria!
Whether it’s supporting a prisoner to achieve their best through allocations or being a calming, supportive presence for a colleague going through a difficult time, ready to put the kettle on and lend an ear.
Maria’s extensive knowledge of the prison environment and her years of experience are a gift she shares generously, without hesitation or judgement. She has been a longstanding and valued member of the HMP Leeds team.
She is, without doubt, the Sunshine of HMP Leeds”.
Katie White

Sign off

42 years. In one prison. In every department. And still she comes into work impeccably dressed, with an unfaltering can-do attitude, and with a smile on her face that uplifts everyone around her. I can only hope to still be seeing the positive in a hard prison in difficult times after 42 years of dedicated service. Her kindness and appreciation of others makes the world of difference. Prisoners sense and appreciate that she still believes we can make a difference. You’ll have heard it before, “every prison needs a Maria”; we’re just truly glad we have our own.

Rebecca Newby, Governor, HMP Leeds