HMP Buckley Hall Prison worker Gail Sessa receives commendation from Princess Royal

Gail Sessa

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

Gail Sessa, an administrator at HMP Buckley Hall, Rochdale, has been presented with a Butler Trust Commendation by the Butler Trust's Patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.

Gail is Head of the Offender Management Unit (OMU) at HMP Buckley Hall, and is described by one longstanding colleague as “the guru of knowledge” for the unit. Her dedication, efficiency, and commitment to innovation is said to have helped to create the kind of systems that make the entire prison work more effectively, and also contribute to positive outcomes for both prisoners and staff.

Gail’s nominator, Buckley Hall’s Deputy Governor, Jayne Kirkpatrick, said: "Gail has created a joined up department during difficult times. This is a lot easier said than done. Indeed, it is often easy to overlook the vital work of those who dedicate themselves to ‘gluing together’ any system’s multiple processes and many demands – the people who quietly make sure everything runs smoothly, but you can be certain that everyone quickly notices the importance of such work if it doesn’t happen."

Chelsea Craven, Buckley Hall’ People Hub Manager, and the Butler Trust Local Champion, said: “Gail has led her team to deliver various initiatives that have been highlighted as good or best practice. She is responsive, innovative and someone who consistently seeks out opportunities to create effective change, with a particular focus on risk management.”

Governor Peter Rawsthorne is also clear on the outstanding value Gail brings to the team. He said: “Gail is totally committed to her work, is dependable and reliable, and makes a difference every day. She is highly effective in her particular area of expertise but she is also a great team player who is always willing to help her colleagues.”

Speaking about Gail, the Chairman of the Awarding Panel, Sir Michael Harrison, said:
“As Head of the Offender Management Unit at HMP Buckley Hall, Gail is described by one longstanding colleague as ‘the guru of knowledge’ for the unit. Her dedication, efficiency, and innovations are helping create systems that make the entire prison work more effectively and more positively for both prisoners and staff. The Awarding Panel were also impressed at the way she puts the prisoner at the ‘heart’ of offender management.”

Simon Shepherd, Director of the Trust, said: “In her annual Christmas Day address, The Queen spoke about the cumulative impact of ‘ordinary people doing extraordinary things’. That’s exactly what the Butler Trust Awards are for, and they are an important reminder that, behind the negative headlines, are some remarkable people doing an exceptional job, every day, on behalf of the people in their charge and the public they serve.”

The Butler Trust Annual Awards, which are now in their 32nd year, honour outstanding work by staff and volunteers working in prisons, probation and youth justice across the UK. This year’s Award Ceremony was held at St James’s Palace, with The Princess Royal presiding, as she has each year since the Trust’s launch.