Trans prison project champion wins civil service diversity award

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A project run by an HM Prison Service civil servant, Sharon Drewell won the award for ‘Leading, Championing and Role Modelling’ for making a “massive difference” to transgender prisoners lives.

The Civil Service held its eighth Diversity and Equality award ceremony today at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). There were 153 strong nominations in 6 categories from across the civil service – a 74% increase in nominations since last year.

The ceremony aims to reflect the Civil Service’s aspiration to mirror the society it serves, and to remove the barriers to progress still faced by some because of their gender, ethnicity, disability or sexuality, particularly in senior roles.

The judges awarded Sharon Drewell on the basis that she made a “massive difference to the management of Transgender Prisoners at HMP Isle of Wight and across the Prison Service. In a challenging environment, Sharon gained the trust and respect of the offenders, allowing her to be instrumental in bringing about change in the future management of their lives.”

They added: “She has had a profound effect on their behaviour and motivation to improve other aspects of their lives.”

Permanent Secretary of the MoJ, Ursula Brennan opened the ceremony by saying that: “In the Ministry of Justice equality before the law is part of our DNA”.

In September the Government launched it’s new ‘Talent Action Plan’, which aims to remove barriers to LGBT people reaching high ranks of the Civil Service.

The list of winners from the other categories can be found here.

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