Top Honour For Probation Officer
30/01/2009
A probation officer is to be awarded the profession's highest accolade in recognition of her work with life sentence and long-term prisoners.
Janet Mason, 60, who retires from Sussex Probation Area on Thursday 29 January after 16 years of service, will be presented with the prestigious Butler Trust Terry Waite Award by HRH the Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace on 18 March.
Janet, who works at Littlehampton probation office, has worked closely with 'lifers' and long-term prisoners for a decade and the award recognises her exemplary practice in managing and supervising a complex category of offender.
She said: "It feels very nice to reach retirement and receive an acknowledgement that my work has been valid. Probation staff do fantastic work every day and I think everyone should be acknowledged. I have had fantastic colleagues who are fun to work with, help the job run smoothly and keep me organised."
Janet's work with lifers and long term prisoners has involved planning for their eventual release from prison and then supervising them in the community. She does this by working closely with offenders, their families and other professionals to minimise the risk of them reoffending and enforce the conditions of their licence.
She added: "My experience has shown me that even people who have committed the most serious crimes have the capacity to change once they have served their sentence and helping them achieve that change has been challenging and rewarding."
Sonia Crozier, chief officer of Sussex Probation Area, said; "The Butler Trust award is truly the greatest accolade one can receive in this profession and Janet is a worthy winner.
"She is recognised as one of the UK's leading practitioners in working with this category of offender. She will be a great loss to the service but we wish her a long, happy and well-earned retirement."
The Butler Trust is a charity formed in 1985 that promotes, encourages and recognises best practice in working with offenders.
