Prison Governors achieve UK gold standard

Tuesday 02 October 2018

Two members of Les Nicolle Prison senior staff have been given UK Governor accreditation after completing a five year on island course.

John de Carteret and Tracey Mahy are the first members of the prison’s senior team - operational governors - to complete the Guernsey Governing Governor’s Development and Assessment Programme.

Since 2004 the Governor or Deputy Governor have been UK accredited, but as there was no way for senior managers on island to gain this qualification, it meant the roles were invariably appointed from off-island, unless local candidates had achieved the qualification while working in the UK. 

To address this, Guernsey Prison has worked closely with the learning and development team from HM Prison and Probation Service to develop the accreditation which would ensure compliance with the UK Governing standards and the unique challenges faced by the multi-function complex prison on Guernsey, including exposure to elements not commonplace in Guernsey, such as managing serious disturbances.  Both candidates were assessed in the UK by the learning and development team.

Pictured: Deputy Mary Lowe and Mr De Carteret. 

Mr De Carteret, Operational Governor, said: "I am absolutely delighted to have achieved qualification to a nationally recognised standard which has come about by investment and commitment to personal and professional development by me and the States of Guernsey as my employer.  

"I have found the experience both rewarding and arduous at times, but feel it has prepared me for making a positive contribution to the ongoing development of Guernsey Prison and to the wider community as a result.”

Ms Mahy added that the opportunity had been a unique and invaluable experience.

"I consider it essential that prisoners are provided with the resources to develop their skills, in order to improve the health of our community. With this high-level accreditation, I apply new and advanced knowledge to my existing core values, whilst working within the senior management team. I am grateful to those who have supported me through this vigorous and rewarding process," she said.

Both achieved their accreditation at Governing Governor level on the 17 September, making them the first on island applicants to qualify at this level.

The awards were presented to the governors at Home Affairs' most recent committee meeting by Home President Deputy Mary Lowe.

Deputy Lowe said: "This is an impressive achievement of which John and Tracey  should be rightly proud. 

"Developing on-island talent in this way helps ensure staff are suitably equipped  for roles within the prison, and demonstrates the Committee’s wider commitment to ensuring people  in key positions are suitably trained and qualified.”

 Pictured top: The awards were handed out on Monday.