AWARD WINNER 2025-26: Kerryanne receives an Award for her outstanding work as Addictions and Recovery Manager at HMP Addiewell, for the skill and dedication she brings to the role, for the hope she inspires, and for the relationships she has forged to provide continuing support for the men on release.
[Her Award is supported by the Hanley Trust.]

This nomination was drawn up by Amy Roberts – Communications Manager, HMP Addiewell; and signed off by Jonathan French – Director, HMP Addiewell.

Introduction

Kerryanne has redefined what recovery support looks like at HMP Addiewell, transforming the culture of care through compassion, innovation and sheer determination. Drawing on her own lived experience, Kerryanne has built authentic, trusted connections with the men in our care, helping them to believe in the possibility of change and a future beyond prison. A key part of her approach has been to rebuild vital links with community addiction services and recovery organisations, ensuring that individuals have the support networks and services in place whilst in prison and to continue their recovery journey when transitioning from custody to community.

Reasons for the nomination

Since joining the team, Kerryanne has spearheaded a series of ground-breaking initiatives that have fundamentally shifted the prison towards a recovery-focused environment. At the heart of this is the Hope Recovery strategy — a bold, person-centred approach that empowers individuals to become the best version of themselves. It supports people to leave HMP Addiewell in a stronger physical and mental state, fostering confidence, resilience and a belief in a better future. Crucially, this strategy also improves continuity of care, breaking down barriers and ensuring people remain connected to support in the community after release.

Kerryanne’s creativity and commitment shine through in every aspect of her work. She is developing Hope Gardens, a dedicated recovery space within the prison — a calm, therapeutic environment where recovery can flourish. She has established recovery support meetings six days a week, ensuring consistent, meaningful engagement. And recognising the importance of lived experience, Kerryanne launched a Recovery Peer Workers programme, enabling those with personal recovery journeys to support others. These peer workers also receive Naloxone training, equipping them to deliver life-saving interventions and training to others prior to release.

“Kerryanne being appointed as Addictions and Recovery Manager was life changing for me, and a lot of other boys here in Addiewell. There is now a thriving recovery community of men who support each other daily. Kerryanne saw something in me and appointed me a Recovery Peer one year ago and that role has given me purpose. Prisoner – HMP Addiewell

“I’d like to thank Kerryanne for the help and encouragement she’s given me during my recovery journey – for her hard work and dedication, the recovery groups she’s put on, bringing outside agencies into the prison to help addicts and finally for making me a recovery peer and giving me the encouragement I needed to enable me to help others.” Prisoner – HMP Addiewell

Her drive to provide continuous, reliable support is unmatched — regularly working evenings and weekends to ensure no group is ever cancelled due to staffing or partner availability. By bringing in community partners and fostering peer-led support, Kerryanne has created a recovery network that extends far beyond the prison gates.

One of Kerryanne’s most impressive achievements has been her collaboration with the Hep C Trust, leading to an outstanding 96% testing rate for Hepatitis C within the prison — a vital step towards improved prisoner health and wellbeing.

The tangible impact of Kerryanne’s work is clear. There’s been a significant rise in the number of men actively seeking recovery support and attending groups, alongside a noticeable reduction in those found under the influence of illicit substances. This has created a safer, more positive environment for both prisoners and staff, and most importantly, it’s giving people a genuine opportunity to rebuild their lives.

Kerryanne’s unwavering commitment, innovation and empathy have not only transformed recovery support at HMP Addiewell — they’ve changed lives. She is a shining example of how one person’s vision and heart can reshape a community.

Support for the nomination

“Kerryanne has helped me to see that recovery is possible; that even whilst still in recovery, change is possible through hard work and determination. She has given us opportunities as men and prisoners, to demonstrate this by setting us goals and involving our input in activities that go beyond prison and into the community, advocating outside on our behalf to ensure support is given in the community.”
Prisoner, HMP Addiewell

“When Kerryanne was first appointed I remember thinking how brave it was of her to embark on such a role, it’s not an easy environment to work in. Her lived experience has always meant that she has a proper understanding of prisoners who are suffering from addiction and it provides her work with an authenticity which is compelling. To the men in Addiewell she is living proof of what can be achieved if they embark on recovery in a first step to becoming drug free. She treats them as people, not prisoners, and tries to help them see a life beyond prison where, with a support network in place, drugs no longer play a part in their lives. Her commitment to her role is commendable, she has made and continues to make a difference to many prisoners who can often feel marginalised or neglected.”
Juliet MacDonald, IPM

“I have been consistently impressed by Kerryanne’s dedication and genuine passion for patient care. She displays a strong sense of compassion and empathy and is highly adept at delivering an impressive level of care. She works collaboratively with the NHS team to ensure a positive outcome, readily offering assistance. I highly recommend Kerryanne without reservation; she makes a valuable contribution to any team lucky enough to have her.”
Louise Struthers, Addictions Nurse, NHS

“I wholeheartedly support this nomination for Kerryanne, who is one of the most passionate and selfless leaders in the field of recovery I have ever met. She brings her whole self to her role, demonstrating an infectious authenticity and a relatability which is essential when supporting others through change. She is hugely respected, both personally and professionally, for the work she does, and Sodexo are extremely lucky to have her on board as part of our team. We are losing count of the men whose lives are changing, thanks to Kerryanne.“
Tony Simpson, CEO, Sodexo Justice

“Kerryanne is highly motivated and has made a considerable impact in her role. She is recognised and respected by prisoners, officers, and senior managers. She has introduced a timetable covering six days of the week and is encouraging personal ownership and peer led support. This has generated a recovery culture that is growing in HMP Addiewell. The number of prisoners being identified as under the influence has dropped significantly over the past year. Prisoners speak highly of Kerryanne and consistently refer to the difference she has made and the opportunities she provides to support them, and others, on their journey. Without hesitation, I strongly support the nomination of Kerryanne.”
Sergio Buonaccorsi, SPS Controller

Sign off

I strongly support this nomination. Kerryanne is making a positive difference to people’s lives. Addiction is a huge issue in Scotland & this permeates through into prisons. At Addiewell we have a strong focus on rehabilitation and giving people opportunities to turn their lives round. This needs to be underpinned by recovery, however, as somebody being released who is in recovery is far more likely to succeed than someone who isn’t. For us, recovery and rehabilitation go hand in hand and Kerryanne is leading the way in this work.

Jonathan French, Director, HMP Addiewell