Awards for prison education staff

TWO people who are transforming people’s lives through learning and skills have been acknowledged for their ‘outstanding’ work and best practice at Warrington’s Thorn Cross Prison.
Offender learning staff Thomas Lowton and Kellie Morrissy have been praised by the Butler Trust, which celebrates the work of people in prisons, probation and youth justice settings and rewards them at an annual awards ceremony.
Its supporter is The Princess Royal, who will hand awards and commendations to up to 30 people at a ceremony at St James’ Palace on March 9.
Thomas and Kellie are employed by Novus, a specialist in offender education, skills and employability interventions that reduce re-offending and divert people from criminal behaviour.
Two other people employed by the firm also won awards
Company boss Peter Cox said: “We were delighted that a number of our colleagues were nominated, but ecstatic to learn that four have now won an award or commendation.’’
The Butler Trust Awards, launched in 1985, were the first for people working in the sector, and
are generally considered the most prestigious of their kind. The trust receives around 350
nominations each year, from across the UK, from which it grants around 10 awards and 20
commendations.
Trust director Simon Shepherd said: “The Butler Trust Awards are an annual reminder
that, behind the negative headlines, there are remarkable people who quietly do an exceptional
job every day – often working directly with some of society’s most troubled people.
“People who work in prisons, probation and youth justice get little public recognition for the work
they do. We’re proud to share this year’s winners who are a credit to, and in many ways a real
reflection of, so many amazing people working across the entire sector.”