Former prison officer from Spalding supports launch of new 'Hidden Heroes initiative'
A former prison officer from Spalding has marked 20 years of voluntary service by attending the prestigious Butler Trust Annual Awards for prison, probation and youth justice staff.
Mark Le Sage received the Trust’s top prize in 2000, The Lord Woolf award for developing the 'Men and Violence' offending behaviour programme, and has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Trust's work since.
Now in their 34th year, the Butler Trust annual awards recognise outstanding service by staff and volunteers working in UK prisons, probation, and youth justice settings. This year’s award ceremony was held at St James’s Palace, with The Princess Royal presiding, as she has each year since the charity’s launch.
The Secretary of State for Justice David Gauke MP and prison and probation minister Rory Stewart were among the audience of over 200 there to honour this year’s winners.
Director of the Trust Simon Shepherd said: “Behind all the headlines, and hidden from view, is an unsung army of criminal justice workers and volunteers doing difficult, demanding and highly skilled work on all our behalves, with some of the most challenging people in society. Our awards are a way of saying a very public thank you to some of the most outstanding of them. And this year’s winners are as outstanding as ever.”
During the Ceremony, Mark helped the Trust launch a new publication in tribute to Prison Officers. A copy of 'Hidden Heroes: The Prison Officer' will be distributed to every officer in every prison in the UK over the coming weeks.
Mark said: “It’s great to see the challenging and critical work that prison officers do every day portrayed in such a positive way. This publication will provide a real morale boost to officers across the country – and we hope it’ll be something they can show to their friends and families, too.
"The work of prison officers is too often hidden away from view, but it’s important to shine a light on the hugely important part they play in our society – they really are hidden heroes”.
