Northern Ireland Office

Today is about highlighting good performance and formally recognising those who have made an outstanding contribution to the criminal justice system, Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson has said.

Speaking today at the awards ceremony for the 2006 Criminal Justice Awards, the Minister paid tribute to all those who work tirelessly to reduce crime and whose efforts make a huge difference to people’s experience of the criminal justice system.

The Minister stated that while much has been achieved, he recognised that there are many challenges ahead and he stressed the need to continue to work together, to get it right for the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland.

David Hanson said: “I am pleased that we have been able to recognise formally those who have made an outstanding contribution to the criminal justice system and whose efforts make a real difference to the everyday lives of so many.

“I pay tribute to all those who work tirelessly to reduce crime and I trust we can count on the support of everyone to ensure that this awards scheme grows as a valuable framework for rewarding and recognising the achievements of those in the criminal justice sector in Northern Ireland.

“However, while much has been achieved we cannot afford to be complacent. There is a great deal more we need to do, particularly in the area of violent crime. We cannot do this alone, and now more than ever we need to continue to work together, to get it right for the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland.

“That is the reason I am glad that those here today will have the opportunity to listen, to debate and to look at proposals for strengthening our partnership working even more during this two day stakeholder conference on Partnership Working – Forging Links to enable us to deliver the most efficient and effective criminal justice system we can for Northern Ireland.

“Northern Ireland is a safe place to live and it has a criminal justice system that is increasingly world class, but there is always more to do and I am going to drive that forward.”

Notes for Editors

1.The Criminal Justice Awards initiative aims to publicly recognise and reward outstanding work throughout the system in partnership with local communities.  

It also celebrates the important contribution of staff towards developing a criminal justice system which serves and protects the people of Northern Ireland. Its clear focus on best practice and working together will also help build stronger internal and external relationships for the future.  

These Awards will pay tribute to the staff and organisations within the community who, by working in partnership to solve problems, make Northern Ireland a safer place in which the whole community can have confidence.

2.There are 4 categories of Individual Awards and 5 categories of Team Awards in 2006:

• Outstanding achievement in caring for victims and witnesses (Individual Award)
• Winner:Pam Surphlis, NSPCC
• Runner-up:Heather Haire, Carrickfergus DCU (PSNI)

• Outstanding contribution to working with young people in the CJSNI (Individual Award)
• Winner:Greg Walker, Carrickfergus DCU (PSNI)
• Runner-up:Patricia McKeavney, (Youth Justice Agency)

• Outstanding contribution to working with offenders (Individual Award)
• Winner:Alan Darnbrook, (PBNI)
• Runner-up:Steven Davis, Hydebank Wood YOC & Prison

• Outstanding contribution to engaging local communities (Individual Award)
• Winner:Samuel Jardine, (PSNI)
• Runner-up:Gordon Potts, (PBNI)

• Outstanding achievement in caring for victims and witnesses (Team Award)
• Winner:Family Liaison Officers (Road Death), (PSNI)
• Runner-up:Domestic Violence Team (North Belfast)

• Outstanding contribution to working with young people in the CJSNI (Team Award)

• Winner:Mentoring Project Team (NIACRO)
• Runner-up:Bail Support Team, (Youth Justice Agency)

• Outstanding contribution to working with offenders (Team Award)
• Joint Winners:
• Resettlement Team (Magilligan Prison, NIPS)
• Resettlement Unit (Magilligan Prison, NIPS)
• Runner-up:RATSDAM (PBNI)

• Outstanding contribution to engaging local communities (Team Award)
• Winner:Prison! Me! No Way! (NI) (Maghaberry Prison, NIPS)
• Runner-up:Londonderry Courthouse (NICtS)

• Outstanding commitment to diversity (Team Award)
• Winner:Carrickfergus DCU (PSNI)
• Runner-up:Ballymoney Community Safety Team (PSNI)

3.The CJSNI Stakeholder Conference will run over two days 15/16 June 2006. Its theme is Partnership Working - Forging links. Workshops will provide an opportunity for the statutory agencies to meet with members of the broader criminal justice family to consider how they can contribute to this work which is targeting key criminal justice priorities through effective partnership working.

If you would like to discuss any of the detail above contact Brendan Giffen, Northern Ireland Information Service, on 07887 714991.