PROBATION officer Terry Bond has received a prestigious national award for his outstanding work with prisoners.

Terry, of Adelaide Terrace, Blackburn, was presented with his accolade by the Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace. He works with senior prison officer Ralph Livesey at Preston Prison and they will share the Butler Trust award for their work with life sentence prisoners.

The award is named after ex-hostage Terry Waite and is awarded in recognition of a pioneering approach in working with prisoners. Just six Butler Trust awards are awarded each year to enable winners to develop their work through research and travel.

Terry said: "I was chuffed to hear I'd won the award, and it is a nice surprise to be recognised for the work we are doing.

"The award will give me the opportunity to travel and research and I will be going to Canada with Ralph in the autumn.

"It will be a good chance to improve our own ideas and pass on ideas to the Canadians."

At Preston Prison, Terry and Ralph have worked together to set up a group for prisoners serving life, covering newly-sentenced offenders, those recalled to prison upon breach of release licence and others transferred from other prisons.

The group also includes prisoners remanded in custody on serious charges which could lead to life sentences.

The two officers have set up a 'first stage' early risk assessment for new arrivals to identify issues and problems for special attention in prison, such as drink or drug abuse.

Terry, 49, has also developed a specific training course on the implications of long sentences for staff, including education and workshop personnel in local remand prisons. His work is to be taken up on a national basis.

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