AWARD WINNER 2025-26: Officer Maty, as he is known to all, wins an Award for his infectiously positive and uplifting attitude, his ability to build rapport and de-escalate difficult situations, and his caring and supportive approach to both prisoners and colleagues, helping transform the segregation unit at HMP Coldingley.
[His Award is supported by Interventions Alliance.]

This nomination was drawn up by Stephen Bird – Supervising Officer, HMP Coldingley; and signed off by Dom Ceglowski – Governor, HMP Coldingley. It followed an initial recommendation from Safer Custody Governor, Steve Murdy.

Introduction

Officer Tomasz ‘Maty’ Matuszynski, a Segregation Officer at HMP Coldingley for six years, is being nominated for his unwavering positivity, professionalism, and resilience. Despite facing a serious terminal illness, Maty continues to work with dedication, uplifting staff and prisoners alike with his cheerful demeanour and calm presence. His ability to build rapport, de-escalate situations, mentor new staff, and support mental health efforts has transformed the often difficult segregation unit into a more positive environment. Maty’s strength, kindness, and tireless commitment embody the very best of the prison service.

Reasons for the nomination

Tomasz is known to all at HMP Coldingley as ‘Maty’. He is a segregation officer and has been in the prison service for 6 years, having served all his time at HMP Coldingley.

Officer Maty is battling a serious terminal medical condition and yet, he continues to come to work, even after having treatment when he isn’t feeling 100%. He always comes in with a smile on his face, a positive spirit and a cheerful anecdote. His attitude towards attending his workplace is impactful on those around him, showing staff what can be achieved even during challenging times. His positivity and ability to connect with others is also something that has changed the conditions for staff working in the segregation unit – taking an area that can be mentally draining and contributing to a positive and joyful environment to work in. This makes a massive difference to the staff in the unit and even on days that are particularly challenging and difficult, Officer Maty always manages to put a positive spin on it.

Maty is a kind and considerate officer to his peers and prisoners alike. No matter what he is going through he always makes an effort to check on his colleagues. He does not like to let his medical condition take over his life and will always do his best when at work. He is a very reliable pair of hands in all areas and makes staff feel at ease knowing he is around. Maty will always put staff first and no matter how much a member of staff knows him, he makes them feel like a friend.

Maty has been nominated on many occasions by his peers and prisoners for his professional conduct, support and help. He is a great mentor to new staff in the Segregation unit and will explain processes as many times as needed without changing his attitude. He has a “can achieve” attitude and is willing to be involved in whatever is required of him, offering his services to help out the establishment.

Maty is well thought of by the SMT for his positivity and dedication to the prison. He is also a very organised individual, which is appreciated by Governors when it comes to adjudications.

This year Maty has had to deal with two prisoners that were very ill and subject to being sectioned, these prisoners had the potential to cause serious harm to staff and prisoners alike.

When working with one individual struggling with psychosis, Officer Maty built a strong rapport, talking to the individual calmly, offering them all the same access to the regime as others and actively encouraging him to engage. He also provided them with a cup of tea as he knew this was something that calmed the individual down. In doing so, Officer Maty was able to create a more stable work environment for the staff around him, and his regular updates to management helped to support the process that allowed the individual to be sectioned.

Sign off

I fully believe Tomasz should be recognised with a national award, an opinion which is shared by both staff and prisoners at HMP Coldingley. He is an exemplary Prison Officer and, quite simply, I am proud to work with him.

Dom Ceglowski, Governor, HMP Coldingley