Congratulations to the winners of the 2009/10 Justice Awards:
Outstanding contribution to engaging local communities
Individual winner: Michele Eccles, Magistrates in the Community Co-ordinator
As a Magistrate, Michele is a volunteer who sits in court an average of 35 times per year. She also gives freely of her time to community liaison activities as co-ordinator of Gloucestershire's "Magistrates in the Community" organisation.
She has raised the profile of the organisation from an unrecognised facility to a much in-demand service. She has changed the public face of Magistrates with her tireless professional and enthusiastic approach and enabled access to the workings of the judicial process to countless community organisations. She has co-ordinated visits to secondary schools, colleges, and a wide range of local community groups. In 2009, almost 60 groups received talks about the magistracy and the courts - valuable work in increasing public confidence in the criminal justice system..
Acknowledgement to the Glosmedia for the photographs
Team Winner: "You're the Judge" Team 2009
Cheryl Benbow and her team
This partnership of committed individuals worked together to create a week-long series in The Citizen and the Gloucestershire Echo to help the public understand more about how the courts work. Using a fictional court case, the "You're the Judge" series appeared over 8 days, with accompanying interactive online coverage at www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk.
Members of the HM Courts Service legal team wrote the case study and witness statements - avoiding jargon so that members of the public would understand what was taking place. Then the staff at GlosMedia presented the articles in an appropriate journalistic style whilst retaining the content and accuracy. They also arranged for appropriate photos and pictures to support the written material, and created an accompanying website.
Outstanding achievement in caring for victims and/or witnesses
Individual winner: Keeley Witts, Paralegal Officer, Crown Prosecution Service
Keeley received two nominations for demonstrating the highest commitment to witness care. She has been involved in most of the county's high profile cases over the last year, and her dedication and diligence has secured the attendance at court of crucial witnesses.
She has taken the time to explain the court process to witnesses, arranged transport and accommodation for trials in Bristol, and comforted witnesses who have had to hear difficult evidence. One victim giving evidence in a very traumatic case valued Keeley's help and support so much that she continues to keep in contact. Her nominator states that Keeley "works to the highest standards. No problem is too great, no concern is too small.....This means that cases come before the court with the best possible evidence and justice can be done for the victims of crime."
Outstanding contribution to tackling youth crime
Individual winner: Chris Joy, Police Officer, Gloucestershire Constabulary but seconded to Youth Offending Service
Chris' contribution to reducing youth crime is described as being at both a personal and a strategic level. His nominator stated "I value him as a colleague because of his depth of knowledge and experience, and his willingness to share these with others".
Over the years, Chris has supervised a number of high risk young people, undertaking work that would usually be outside the remit of a seconded police officer. However, his most outstanding contribution has been the part he has played in the development of restorative justice approaches. He was instrumental in setting up new processes and ensuring that victims were offered a choice of restorative outcomes. These processes are now embedded within the Youth Offending Service - with a satisfaction rate of 100% from victims.
Team Winner: Youth Crime Prevention Team
Since April 2008 this team, at the county's Youth Offending Service, has been working hard to reduce the number of first time entrants into the youth justice system and last year they achieved a 32% reduction. The team has revised the referral system for young people at risk of offending so that they now get swift and appropriate referrals from a variety of agencies. The introduction of a more robust and effective case management system means that cases can now be verified, allocated and assessed within 4 weeks, with a personalised plan of intervention in place.
The team were nominated for "their persistent effort, professionalism, creativity and ultimate respect for the opinions and needs of the individuals they work with".
Outstanding contribution to working with offenders
Individual winner: Harry Burke, Gloucestershire Constabulary
A Detective Constable in the Forest and Gloucester Prolific and Priority Offender (PPO) Unit, Harry is an experienced, dedicated and highly motivated man who has worked tirelessly to reduce the re-offending of the Forest and Gloucester's most prolific criminals. He is both feared and respected by those he deals with and held in high regard by his colleagues.
The PPO Unit has achieved a 22% reduction in burglary and a 20% reduction in car crime and DC Burke's work has had a considerable impact on this. He has played a crucial part in the rehabilitation of several high profile offenders who are now no longer in and out of the criminal justice system. He has also been instrumental in the successful prosecution of numerous prolific burglars, street robbers and car criminals.
Team Winner: North Cotswold Safer Community Team
This team has "gone that extra mile" by tackling crime in the North Cotswold area. Each member of the team has built up their skills, become involved in multi-agency intervention work and has gone beyond the policing role to support other agencies involved in the criminal justice process.
Officers have recently been trained in restorative justice processes although they have actually been implementing such methods for some time. Since the start of 2007, criminal damage in the area has been reduced by 25% and anti-social behaviour reports have reduced by 17%.
Outstanding achievement in putting people first & satisfying customer needs
Individual winner: Patrick Tracey, Offender Manager, Probation
As Court Duty Officer for Gloucestershire Probation, Patrick is responsible for informing and re-assuring magistrates when there are changes in Court practices. On a daily basis he responds in a helpful and knowledgeable way to both formal and informal questions from court customers.
His Honour Judge Picton describes him as "a huge asset to the work of the Crown Court" and an extract from his nomination states that "he is confident, knowledgeable and held in high regard".
Team Winner: Prosecution Team in Regina v Miles
The members of this team provided exceptional care for the victims and family in the high profile serious sexual offence case of Regina v Miles.Through the initial investigation, advise and care at court, all parts of the team put the victims first. The end result was a conviction and a 19 year custodial sentence - one of the highest ever sentences given at Gloucester Crown Court.
Innovation award for introducing more effective or efficient ways of working
Individual winner: Brian Lawson, Service Delivery Director, Independence Trust
Brian has pioneered some truly innovative work within Gloucestershire with the implementation of the Alcohol Arrest Referral Scheme in 1999. Although, at the time, it was a unique project it has now been designated as national best practice with the Home Secretary recognising its valuable contribution to tackling alcohol related crime.
The scheme continues to thrive and produce good results and Brian continues to work tirelessly. His nominator states that he works in "a quiet way. He does not seek the limelight, nor the publicity. He has undertaken this work because he believes and sees the positive results it makes to the communities we live and work in".
Team Winner: Caseworking Team, Gloucestershire Constabulary
The members of this team have undertaken a vast array of work to ensure that they operate effectively and efficiently, whilst retaining the service offered to victims, witnesses and partners.The team has responsibility for receiving prosecution files from the Police, updating the computer systems, electronically transferring the data to other agencies, and passing the paper file to the Crown Prosecution Service so that it can be prosecuted in court. Without their input, prosecution of cases could not go ahead.
A colleague states that "the work done by the team has transformed the way I work. Procedures set up help me to assist in enforcing time guidelines."
Award for long term commitment and dedication to the Criminal Justice System
Individual winner: John Doherty, Crime File Authoriser, Gloucestershire Constabulary
John joined the Police in 1961 but on his retirement he took up his current post as a File Authoriser. He is currently the longest serving employee of the Constabulary and his passion for securing justice for victims has made John a "living legend" amongst his colleagues.His commitment and passion remained undimmed after 49 years of service to the Constabulary, the community and the criminal justice system.
Partnership of the Year
Individuals working together in partnership winner: Sara Matthews and Gaynor Regan
Sara and Gaynor have been nominated for their tireless work around the introduction of the new computer systems at HM Courts Service and Gloucestershire Constabulary. With a 12 month gap before both systems were up and running and able to talk to each other, these two members of staff worked closely to ensure "business as usual" was maintained. Sara facilitated several inter-agency work shadowing opportunities so that each department could see how the other worked, to identify pressure points and to break down any barriers created by mistrust. Gaynor concentrated, with willingness and approachability, on resolving specific technical issues.
Throughout, Sara and Gaynor have sought to find workable solutions to suit both agencies with the ultimate aim of maintaining business flow, process development and a high standard of performance.
Teams working together in partnership winner: County Community Projects and the Youth Offending Service
County Community Projects and the Youth Offending Service have been working in partnership since 1999 and the working relationship is truly embedded at all levels of the organisation. The two organisations have a mutual sense of trust in each other and the partnership has an inherent adaptability and flexibility that enables it to best meet the needs of young people and families. They work together on various projects including the Juvenile Support Team Appropriate Adult Service, the provision of Parenting Workers, recruitment of staff and volunteers, and much more.
Volunteer of the Year
Individual winner: John Thornhill, Appropriate Adult Volunteer, County Community Projects
John has worked tirelessly as an appropriate adult volunteer at County Community Projects for 14 years. He gives his time on an almost daily basis to support young juveniles and also adults with mental health problems at Gloucestershire Police cells.
It is estimated that John has probably given around 8,000 hours of his time - for which he receives no payment. He remembers almost all the young people he attends for - and they also frequently remember him. He genuinely enjoys what he does and he has an exceptionally caring nature. His nominator states "I cannot help but be impressed and in awe of John's enthusiasm and commitment to the role."