20 June 2008
David Wingfield, a Senior Officer at HMYOI Castington, has won the top award at the seventh annual Prison Officer of the Year awards, which were held last night in Leeds.
David was nominated for his work managing difficult prisoners on the Oswald Unit at Castington. The unit presents a complex challenge, holding young people from the age of 15 to 18 who have committed serious crimes. David's 'firm but fair' approach makes him an inspirational role model to the young people he is helping to reform. His approach has had considerable success in improving the behaviour and attitudes of those in his care, and his work is regarded as a benchmark of quality by managers and officers alike.
Minister for Prisons, David Hanson MP said:
'Prison Officers' work is central to a safe and decent society. The work that they do is difficult, is demanding and sometimes dangerous. And their sheer determination and care can make a real difference to whether offenders are likely to go straight on release. My ministerial colleagues and I greatly respect the work that they undertake day in, day out.
'The Prison Officer of the Year Awards showcase the very best of the prison service. I understand this year's awards have been the most competitive yet, with over 600 nominations from governors. I'm told that the Awards Committee had a really tough time in sifting through all the nominations, which were of a high quality. That makes the achievement recognised this year even more special.'
Phil Wheatley, Director General of the National Offender Management Service, said:
'All those honoured by these awards can be rightly proud of what they have achieved. In a very challenging year for the Prison Service, staff right across the estate have worked extremely hard to ensure that our prisons remain safe, decent and constructive places in which prisoners have the opportunity to change their lives. Within a very impressive field of candidates, the winners have proven outstanding in their contribution to the service.
'It is absolutely right that the dedication of officers across the estate is recognised in this way. Their commitment makes a direct, often unsung contribution to keeping the public safe.'
The Prison Officer of the Year awards were introduced to recognise and reward the exceptional service and achievements that officers deliver in our prisons every day of the week. Their efforts make a vital contribution toward keeping the public safe which, because of the nature of their work, often remains unseen. This is the seventh year that their work has been celebrated in a national awards scheme. Officers won awards in the following categories:
- Working with young people
Lee Peck, HMP Warren Hill
- Suicide prevention
Tina Mudie, HMP Maidstone
- Reducing reoffending
Nigel Western, HMP Thorn Cross
- Managing difficult prisoners
David Wingfield, HMYOI Castington
- Security
Neil Storey, HMYOI Lancaster Farms
- Diversity
Brenda Hinnell, HMPYOI Lewes
- Staff support
Carolyn Sanderson, HMP Acklington
- Decency
Lakhbir Nabal, HMYOI Stoke Heath
- Lifetime achievement
Owaine Williams, National Tactical Response Group
Notes to editors
1. For further information please contact Paul Shaw on 020 7210 8724 or the Ministry of Justice newsdesk on 020 7210 8822.