AN ‘inspirational’ prison officer who works at HMP Hewell has been presented with an award to honour his outstanding work in the prison, probation and youth justice system.
Chris O’Sullivan, who works near Redditch, has been given a prestigious Butler Trust Award by the Butler Trust’s Patron, Her Royal Highness Princess Anne.
The Chair of the Awarding Panel, Sir Michael Harrison said: “The Awarding Panel were impressed by the exceptional humanity, dedication and skill Chris has brought to HMP Hewell over more than 20 years’ service as a prison officer, and more recently as Health Living Instructor in the prison.
“In his nomination he was described by one prisoner as ‘an inspiration’, and by his Deputy Governor as ‘an outstanding public servant and human being’. He is a worthy winner indeed.”
On Thursday (March 9) Mr O’Sullivan was honoured at the Butler Trust Annual Awards, which are now in their 32nd year, at a ceremony held at St James’s Palace in London.
The Trust receives around 350 nominations each year, many of them from offenders, from which around 10 Awards and 20 Commendations are granted.
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.”
