PRT hosts awards celebrating the achievements of prisoners
The Prison Reform Trust was delighted to host an event celebrating the achievements of the winners and commendees of its inaugural Hope and Fulfilment awards.
The award, run by the Prison Reform Trust and generously supported by Lady Edwina Grosvenor & The Wilmington Trust, is a national scheme designed to recognise, reward and celebrate the achievements, talent, and initiative of people in prison.
Prisoners can nominate their fellow prisoners for an award. Staff and volunteers can also nominate people who are currently in custody. It is an open competition to encourage as much participation as possible, with the condition that each nomination is endorsed by a governor or director.
The awards ceremony, which was held at a central London venue on Thursday 23 October, included an exhibition showcasing the achievements of the winners and speeches by a winner and members of the judging panel of experts by experience (see below for a speech given by one of the award judges, Louise).
The awards were covered by a member of the judging panel and editor of Inside Time Ben Leapman in an exclusive feature for the paper.
The event was attended by a number of award winners on temporary release or on licence. Also in attendance were the families and supporters of the winners and commendees, representatives of nominating prisons and charities, and colleagues from the wider criminal justice sector.
The awards were open for nominations from 1 March to 31 May 2025. PRT received 160 nominations. During June and July, the judging panel looked at a short list of nominations and choose 11 winners and 12 commendees.
Winners
Anthony Clarke, HMP Long Lartin: For his commitment and dedication to transforming people’s physical and mental health.
Ben Field, HMP Frankland: For his outstanding work as a patient, inspiring and devoted maths tutor.
Dave Pritchard, HMP Whatton: For his dedicated work as a Gypsy Roma Traveller equalities co-ordinator and as an Opal orderly (Older Prisoners Activity and Learning).
Fiona Nalty, HMP Send: For her unwavering commitment as a Forward Trust peer supporter to helping her fellow prisoners recover from addictions.
Ranjit Nankani, HMP Ford: For his innovative and committed work as a Lifer orderly when he was at HMP Coldingly.
Toby Bunting, HMP Norwich: For his kind and dedicated work as a Shannon Trust co-ordinator.
Thomas Smyth, HMP Northumberland: For his outstanding work in setting up a self-harm and suicide prevention course at HMP Northumberland
Four of the winners preferred to remain anonymous:
Anonymous: For writing and directing theatre productions, including family entertainment which brings together prisoners, their visiting children, and prison staff.
Anonymous: For teaching yoga and meditation techniques to other prisoners, inspiring them to participate and improve their mental well-being, with support from the Prison Phoenix Trust.
Anonymous: For dedicated work and in-depth knowledge as a peer advisor and housing support mentor, as well as supporting military veterans in custody.
Anonymous: For potentially saving the life of his cellmate who he found ligatured, then asking to remain in the same shared cell to act as the cellmate’s peer supporter.
Commendees*
Alex, HMP Moorland
John Otugade, HMP Full Sutton
Niall Kiernan, HMP Coldingley
Nicola Leighton, HMP Send
Randolph Conteh, HMP Hollesley Bay
Rizwan Ahmed
*6 commendees didn’t want to be named
Commenting, Pia Sinha, chief executive of the Prison Reform Trust, said:
“It was an honour and a privilege to celebrate the success of our worthy award winners and commendees, along with their proud families and supporters from prisons and the voluntary sector. In prisons up and down the country, our award winners have gone the extra mile to help their fellow prisoners, building trust and community in the process. These everyday acts of kindness and empathy in the bleak prison environment deserve to be recognised. Giving prisoners hope and a sense of pride in themselves and their achievements is a vital step towards building a law-abiding life on release.”
Speech given by Louise, an award judge
Good evening everyone.
I want you to think for a moment about the concept of a “second act”. Not a play or a movie, but the second act of a person’s life. For many people, this second act is a chance to start fresh, to grow, and to build something new from their past. We celebrate these stories of transformation. We admire the people who have turned their lives around. But what about those who are trying to write their second act from behind prison walls?
Tonight, I want to talk about the profound importance of these hope and fulfilment awards for prisoners—and why this isn’t just a compassionate idea, but a crucial part of building a safer, more just society for all of us.
When we talk about justice, we often focus on accountability and punishment. And these are, of course, vital. But a system focused solely on punishment can inadvertently create a cycle of despair. Prison, for many, becomes a place where hope goes to die. They are defined by their worst mistake, and they begin to believe that’s all they will ever be. Without a path forward, without a glimmer of light, the risk of falling back into old habits upon release is tragically high.
This is where these awards and others like them, that foster hope and fulfilment become so powerful. These aren’t just a pat on the back; they are a tangible recognition of personal growth and achievement. These are amazing acts of genuine self-improvement and contributing to improving the situation for more than themselves.
By celebrating these milestones, we are doing more than simply acknowledging hard work. We are sending a clear message: “Your efforts matter. Your future is not yet written. You are capable of change.” This recognition rebuilds a sense of identity and self-worth that has often been shattered. It gives people something to hold on to, a reason to get up in the morning, and the belief that a positive second act is truly possible.
The benefits of these awards extend far beyond the prison walls. When we invest in a person’s rehabilitation, we are investing in public safety. A person who leaves prison with hope, with a skill set, and with a sense of purpose is far less likely to re-offend. This means fewer victims, fewer broken families, and stronger communities. It helps transform the prison system from one of pure containment into one of true restoration.
In a world that often sees a person’s past as their permanent definition, these hope and fulfillment awards stand as a powerful counter-narrative. They remind us that human potential is resilient, and that even in the most challenging of circumstances, the capacity for growth and redemption exists.
Let’s show our support for these awards and recognize the powerful role they play in creating a society where a second chance isn’t just a concept, but a reality.
Thank you.
