There was triple cause for celebration at the recent Nepacs Ruth Cranfield Awards as a trio of justice division colleagues received awards and commendations. All are members of Ingeus’ Commissioned Rehabilitative Services Dependency and Recovery team based in Northumbria and were commended for their selfless and inspiring work supporting the rehabilitation of offenders in the region.
Chris Sopp Dependency & Recovery Navigator was one of just four recipients of a main Nepacs award. Chris works directly with people on probation to overcome substance misuse issues. Having lived experience of the criminal justice system himself, and the reformative effects of rehabilitation services, he is highly effective at engaging with people on his caseload, leading them away from their addictions and reoffending behaviour.
Ruth Horn and David Southern each received Certificates of Excellence for their outstanding partnership approach to supporting people on probation.
Team manager Davina Fitzpatrick proudly attended the awards at Durham’s Emirates Riverside stadium with Chris, Ruth and David. She said:
“Chris is an asset to my team, an enthusiastic and likeable colleague to everyone that works with him, and a lifeline for the people he supports. Ruth and David have worked together for the past year and as their manager, I receive repeated praise for their actions from the people they support and the partners we work with. As one probation officer said to me ‘they go above and beyond the above and beyond!’
Since 2018, the annual Nepacs (North East Prison After Care Society) awards have highlighted the work of exceptional individuals and innovative good practice in promoting resettlement. The awards are named after Nepacs Patron Ruth Cranfield who organised the beginnings of the charity in its present-day form.
Pia Sinha, director of The Prison Reform Trust, presented the awards and certificates and said: “People working within the criminal justice system need to be celebrated and admired as beacons of hope. Today we celebrated the best of the best. From community to custody, through the gate and beyond, these worthy winners show us the value of resilience and selfless service. Congratulations to all the certificate and award winners and thank you for all that you do.”
