BUTLER TRUST RECOGNISE GRENDON STAFF AT AWARDS CEREMONY

14 Mar 2002 03:43 PM

Medical Officer, Dr Joseph Marr at HMP Grendon has won a prestigious Butler Trust Certificate Award for his dedicated work with the prison's therapeutic community.

He will be among a number of Prison Service staff who will visit Buckingham Palace on Friday 15 March, to receive their awards from HRH The Princess Royal. In all, 34 awards are being given this year to members of staff in the Prison Service for England and Wales.

Joseph, D Wing Community Therapist at Grendon for the past eight years, has worked with many difficult prisoners who through his persistence and care have been able to change their ways by gaining a better understanding of themselves. He has also taught generations of staff, leading and driving changes in the culture by challenging erroneous but firmly held beliefs.

The Governor of Grendon, William Payne said:

"Joe Marr has worked as an outstanding psychotherapist at Grendon for eight years. As the dynamic administrator of group therapy Joe is a charismatic leader who has made an extraordinary contribution to work undertaken by a great many prisoners at Grendon. I am immensely grateful for Joe's work at Grendon."

The Director General of the Prison Service, Martin Narey, welcomed these awards. He said:

"The Butler Trust ceremony is a big day for the Service where the excellence of many of my staff is celebrated. This year's winners are the most impressive I have seen and I am proud to have them as colleagues."

Notes to Editors

1. The Butler Trust was set up as a registered charity in 1985 to promote and encourage positive regimes in UK prisons. An independent Annual Award Scheme was established to recognise exceptionally dedicated and often creative work undertaken by anybody working in the Prison Service. HRH The Princess Royal has been patron of the Trust since its foundation.

2. A press photographer will be present at the ceremony, please contact the Press Association picture desk on 020 7353 7440.

3. For further information please contact either Graham Twarog at Prison Service Media Relations on 020 7273 4543 or Jackie Bienaime at The Butler Trust on 020 8688 6062.