Celebrating and promoting the best in UK prisons, probation and youth justice

Jan 1, 2022

HORACE DAWKINS (Hackney Youth Offending Team)

COMMENDEE 2021-22: Horace receives a Commendation for being “an inspirational role model”, as a Youth Support and Development Worker with Hackney Youth Offending Team, whose passion, skill and dedication “enrich the lives of all he meets”.
Jan 1, 2022

ALICE JAMES (HMYOI Werrington)

COMMENDEE 2021-22: Described by her Governor as “a heart amongst hearts”, Alice is Commended for her outstanding care and compassion towards colleagues and prisoners at HMYOI Werrington, over more than 20 years as an Officer and Senior Manager.
Jan 1, 2021

CAROLYN WOOD (Aycliffe Secure Centre)

COMMENDEE 2020-21: Carolyn receives a Commendation for her leadership and dedication, and caring approach, as a Specialist Nurse at Aycliffe Secure Centre, ensuring the highest quality healthcare for some of the most vulnerable young people in society.
Jan 1, 2020

DENIS LEWIS (Leeds Youth Offending Team)

AWARD WINNER 2019-20: Denis wins an Award for his exceptional skill and passion in his work with the young people at Leeds Youth Justice Service – including those who others find difficult to engage – and as an inspirational line manager, mentor, and role model to his colleagues. [This Award is supported by MTC.]
Jan 1, 2020

KEITH DANIEL (HMYOI Wetherby)

COMMENDEE 2019-20: Keith’s Commendation is for his work at HMYOI Wetherby, over more than 40 years, including over a decade as a volunteer on the Army Cadet Programme, and is viewed by many of the young men there as “the grandad they never had”.
Jan 1, 2020

ED HORWOOD (North Yorkshire Youth Offending Team)

COMMENDEE 2019-20: Ed’s Commendation is for developing, and securing funding for, his innovative ‘Pop Up Shed’, teaching vocational skills from a mobile workspace to young people in the care of North Yorkshire Youth Offending Team.
Jan 1, 2020

CLAIRE MCCARTNEY (Youth Justice in Scotland)

COMMENDEE 2019-20: Claire is Commended for her pivotal role, with the Kibble Education and Care Centre in Paisley, at the heart of a facility for young people at risk of offending which, as a result of her efforts, is now recognised as a national leader.
Jan 1, 2020

HOLLY THURMAN (Croydon Youth Offending Team)

COMMENDEE 2019-20: Holly is granted a Commendation for her passion and all-round excellence, as a Senior Officer for the Croydon Youth Offending Service, in making ‘Every Child Matters’ a true reality for the young people in her care.
Jan 1, 2019

VANESSA O’DARE (Manchester Youth Offending Team)

AWARD WINNER 2018-19: Vanessa is an Operational Manager for the Manchester Youth Offending Team. She is granted an Award for identifying a gap in provision for special educational needs and disability, and then developing and implementing a suite of work that has transformed delivery in this area. [This Award is sponsored by Mite Care & Custody.]
Jan 1, 2019

SUE PEARSON (Leeds Youth Offending Team)

AWARD WINNER 2018-19: Sue is an Education Officer for the Leeds Youth Offending Team. She wins an Award for the empathy and skill she brings to her “life-changing” work with troubled families, and for the dedication and compassion she demonstrates in addressing the issue of child-to-parent violence. [Sue also receives the Keith Bromley Award for Education & Skills Training, supported by The Bromley Trust.]
Jan 1, 2019

MIFTA CHOUDHURY (Southwark Youth Offending Team)

COMMENDEE 2018-19: Mifta is the founder of the peer-mentoring charity ‘Youth Ink’. He is Commended for his work, in partnership with Southwark Youth Offending Service, assisting children and young people in and around the justice system to develop their potential and lead more fulfilled lives.
Jan 1, 2019

VALERIE WRIGHT (Lincolnshire Youth Offending Service)

COMMENDEE 2018-19: Valerie was a voluntary Community Panel Member with the Lincolnshire Youth Offending Service. She is granted a Commendation for the contribution she made to many hundreds of young lives, through the outstanding dedication, empathy and compassion she brought to her role.