COMMENDEE 2013-14: Operational Support Grade: for all round excellence and dedication in every aspect of her role. 

INSPIRE ARTICLE

[The following article appeared in issue 6 of the Butler Trust’s magazine, Inspire]

Doing ‘an ordinary role to an extraordinary standard’ at HMP Gartree has earned Claire Morgan (née Pearson) a Butler Trust Commendation. Governor Ian Telfer said: ‘She has unfailingly gone the extra mile to both assist and support her colleagues and to ensure the work she delivers is done so with professionalism and an enthusiasm beyond that expected of her.’

Working in Operational Support, Claire’s role is wide-ranging, from being an Assessment and Care in Custody Teamwork (ACCT) assessor and member of the dedicated Family Visits Team, to her duties as a Deputy Fire Officer, where she has trained staff proactively throughout the establishment and shown herself to be a ‘consummate professional – knowledgeable, approachable and responsive’, according to the prison’s Training Coordinator. She has become particularly noticed and appreciated by colleagues for her outstanding level of commitment, intercepting illicit substances being brought into the prison and using her initiative to work on solutions.

When asked about her role as an ACCT assessor, being closely involved with individuals at a particularly stressful and emotional time for them, Claire said: ‘I try to gain a clearer understanding of the daily struggle that these individuals are going through. I detach myself from the situation and the surroundings that we are currently in and build a rapport based upon honesty and integrity.’ Her work has contributed significantly to instilling in prisoners a sense of hope and self-worth.

Through her voluntary support roles, including on the Family Visits Team, Claire has offered invaluable support to prisoners and recognised the importance that family links play in reducing risk and helping rehabilitation, according to Head of Operations, Verity Smith, who called her ‘a consistently excellent member of staff’.

The prison’s Head of Residence and Safety, Jennie Slator, added that Claire was modest in her work, but should be recognised for ‘the excellent work she has done and the positive impact this has had on colleagues and offenders’.

CONTACT

For more information: contact HMP Gartree