Former PRT director Juliet Lyon wins life time achievement award
PRT is delighted to announce that its former director Juliet Lyon this evening received the highly prestigious lifetime achievement award from the Longford Trust. The citation for the award reads:
“In a lifetime of commitment to those on the margins of society—in mental health, managing the Richmond Fellowship therapeutic communities; in education as head of a psychiatric unit school; and from 2000 until 2016 as director of the Prison Reform Trust—Juliet Lyon has always combined passion with powerful advocacy, rooted in a peerless command of her subject and hands-on experience. A natural leader, and an innovative, irresistible campaigner, she has played a crucial role in improving the lives of many, most notably female and young offenders. She is, in the world of prison reform, a national treasure.”
Commenting on the award, Peter Dawson, Director of the Prison Reform Trust, said:
“This is richly deserved recognition of an extraordinary contribution to civic society, and to prison reform in particular. I am acutely conscious of the extraordinary legacy Juliet has left to PRT, in its reputation, its supporters, its staff and associates. Juliet’s contribution to prison reform continues, of course, but everyone at PRT is delighted that the end of her time with the trust has been marked in this way.”
James Timpson, Chair of the Prison Reform Trust, said:
“This award is a testament to Juliet’s important legacy to the Trust and her wider contribution to the cause of prison reform. Even in the short time our paths crossed at PRT, her knowledge and influence and the high regard in which she is placed by colleagues and the wider sector were immediately apparent. This is well deserved recognition of a lifetime’s commitment to positive change for people in prison.”
Juliet Lyon said:
“Everyone involved in prison reform, and there are many of us inside and outside the system, knows that it is hard to achieve lasting change. And until, and unless, prison is reserved as a place of last resort, rather than used as a warehouse for vulnerable people who need not be there, efforts to effect reform will always feel like pushing a boulder uphill.
“Looking back on my years at PRT, I am really proud of what we, staff, volunteers, supporters and trustees managed to achieve together. And, looking forward, really confident that PRT can achieve so much more. So do I miss working for such a good charity? – no it was time to hand on the baton. Do I miss PRT friends and colleagues?—hugely!”
