Probation officer at HMP Buckley Hall wins award at the Probation Awards

Angela Oakley, a probation officer based at HMP Buckley Hall has won the award for Change and Innovation at this years’ Probation Awards.

Angela was nominated by her colleagues for her commitment to finding innovative ways to get the best outcomes for the complex and mostly life-sentenced men at the prison.

This included the creation of a mock parole board to help to prepare the men and making sure that a victim awareness course that runs at Buckley Hall was better attended.

She is also keen to make sure prison staff are fully up to date on public protection issues and leads training.

Mohammed Farooq, Head of Stakeholder Engagement at National Probation Service North West, said: “Angela is viewed with respect by everyone she comes into contact with in the course of her work, including prisoners. She is able to build relationships on the basis of acceptance, honesty, assertiveness, and integrity.

Angela is a powerful ambassador for the service and our work in the prisons and a role model for colleagues.”

The Probation Awards celebrate those extraordinary individuals who put in the extra dedication, passion and understanding to their jobs to ultimately change lives.

The award for Change and Innovation recognises someone who has come up with an original or inventive way of improving the chances of rehabilitation.

Prisons and Probation Minister, Rory Stewart, said: “I want to pay tribute to our prison and probation staff for their extraordinary service, commitment, and resilience.”

“They are true heroes and I have been staggered – day in, day out – by the quality and dedication shown by so many of our staff.”

“These awards give us the opportunity to reflect on their contribution, and to recognise those individual staff who have gone above and beyond. They are true role models, and show the impact officers can have in helping offenders turn their lives around, thereby reducing reoffending and protecting the public.” 

Michael Spurr, Chief Executive Officer of HMPPS, said: “The staff working for our probation service do vitally important work every day but it often goes unseen so these awards are the perfect opportunity to recognise this work and to say thank you.

“Our nominees represent the best of a service where professionals are dedicated to changing lives and making their communities safer.

“I feel privileged to lead the service and I am extremely proud of the work our finalists are doing.”

There are eight categories in the Probation Awards which look to celebrate achievements in areas such as diversity, reducing reoffending and public safety. It is the opportunity to celebrate success, share best practice and shine a light on the great work being done across the country.

Working with people in the community presents daily challenges but it is a vital public service with great opportunities to make a difference and to prevent victims and better protect the public.