Prison Officer of the Year announced

18 Oct 2010 10:35 AM

Paul Mellor of HMYOI Stoke Heath has been named Prison Officer of the Year at HM Prison Service’s ninth annual staff awards.

A Separation and Reintegration Unit Manager, Paul was chosen as the overall winner from eight individual categories by Michael Spurr, Chief Executive, National Offender Management Service. He was also named the winner in the Managing Difficult Prisoners category.

Michael Spurr said: 'The work Paul has done in transforming the segregation unit at Stoke Heath, working with many challenging and difficult young people, has been outstanding. He is a worthy winner.'

Paul said: 'It’s fantastic to win; it feels great. I’d like to thank all my colleagues – this is for everyone at Stoke Heath.'

The other category winners were: Annette Fairbairn (Decency); Jane Tsakalou (Diversity); Gemma Fitzsimmons (Reducing Reoffending); Louise Royston (Safer Custody); Ken Hiscocks (Security); Andrew Mynard (Staff Support); and Andrew Garland (Working with Young People).

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Peter Bates, Prison Officer, Safer Custody at HMP Durham, who joined the Prison Service 35 years ago in 1975.

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