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Young prisoner work rewarded
Jun 16 2003
Birimingham Post
A prison officer who has overseen a new scheme to help young offenders steer clear of drugs and lead healthier lives has won a national award.
Ian Darlington won the Prison Service's working with young prisoners prize at a ceremony held at Droitwich, Worcestershire.
Mr Darlington, who is based at Stoke Heath Young Offenders Institution in Market Drayton, Shropshire, was chosen after setting up the healthy living unit 18 months ago.
His course educates young inmates about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and provides them with acupuncture and fitness training to relieve stress.
His citation read: "Ian has shown a massive commitment to the care of offenders and involved himself with them at a level which encourages change while empowering them to get involved with developing ideas for the unit."
Mr Darlington, who joined the Prison Service in 1992, has helped develop groups run by prisoners which work alongside those run by officers.
The 33-year-old said: "It is great to win this award and to get recognition for all the hard work of staff at Stoke Heath. A lot of crime is linked to alcohol and drug abuse, but if we can help inmates lead a healthier lifestyle they are less likely to re-offend when they are released."
The overall award for prison officer of the year was won by Mark King, who is based at Woodhill jail near Milton Keynes.
