I am honoured and humbled to lead the Northern Ireland Prison Service when I see the work Prison staff do in challenging and supporting those placed in our care to change their behaviours. Behind the walls and out of sight Prison Officers work with complex, demanding and often dangerous individuals in an effort to reduce the likelihood of them reoffending and make our community a safer. The professionalism, commitment and dedication of Prison Officers is demonstrated everyday as they keep on working with offenders when everyone else has given up. Prison Officers have always been hidden heroes, but never more so than now as in an unselfish and sacrificial way they face the unprecedented challenges of COVID19. We owe them an enormous debt of gratitude.
From: Ronnie Armour, Director General, NI Prison Service