Individuals and organisations working with prisoners, ex-prisoners or those sentenced to community punishments in the North East are being given the chance to get recognition for their efforts to reduce re-offending by entering the 2022 Nepacs Ruth Cranfield Awards.
Nepacs, a charity which has been around for over 135 years, presents the awards to employed and voluntary workers throughout the region to highlight the work of exceptional individuals and teams for innovative good practice in promoting rehabilitation of individuals subject to criminal justice proceedings.
2022 will be the 17th year of Nepacs awards, now named in honour of their Patron Ruth Cranfield who had the vision and energy to organise the beginnings of Nepacs in its present day form and has continued to work tirelessly for the organisation on every level. Nepacs wants to reward, promote and celebrate that kind of commitment in others working in the difficult climate of today.
Amanda Lacey, chief executive of Nepacs, said:
“These last two years have presented enormous difficulties for everyone working in the criminal justice system, and we feel it’s even more important to show appreciation of the people who have worked unimaginably hard to deal with the changes Covid has brought to everyone’s work, and the ongoing exceptional circumstances we still find ourselves in.
“Staff and volunteers working within the police, courts, prisons, probation services and other agencies, including many charities, have continued to go above and beyond to help individuals they support to get through a very difficult time, giving them the tools and motivation to stay clear of crime in the future. The Nepacs Ruth Cranfield trustees, who judge the award nominations, are looking for individuals or teams who have made an outstanding contribution either through an original and innovative approach, or by continued devotion in a particularly difficult and challenging area.”
Award winners last year came from HMP Durham, HMP YOI Kirklevington, The Wise Group, and Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. Certificate winners came from prisons, probation services, local councils and non-statutory organisations right across the region.
The Award winners will receive a personal engraved award and a cheque, and the charity also awards several Highly Commended Certificates. Presentations and a short address will be made by Phil Copple, Director General Prisons, HM Prison and Probation Service at an informal gathering on the afternoon of 27 September, to be held at Emirates Riverside, Durham Cricket Club, The Riverside, Chester-le-Street .
For details on how to make a nomination visit the Nepacs website https://www.nepacs.co.uk/page/nepacs-ruth-cranfield-awards-2022
Closing date for nominations is Monday 20 June 2022.