December 2019

Our head of rehabilitation has been praised as “outstanding”.

Barry Flanagan was named Outstanding Individual at the Criminal Justice Alliance’s annual awards for his work changing lives.

Barry is Head of Rehabilitation Programmes; responsible for the team supporting offenders to develop skills, confidence and resilience and move into stable housing and work on release. He has honed his skills during 16 years working in the criminal justice sector.

He said of his win: “I love the work I do and don’t expect awards for it, so I was genuinely shocked to win. But I’m also honoured. This is not just a win for me but the whole team I work with and all the men and women we support.”

Nominees for the awards included professionals and experts from the charity, public and academic sectors but in choosing him as their winner, the judges said Barry’s work “goes over and above supporting people to learn new skills, gain confidence and stay out of the criminal justice system”. The annual awards celebrate organisations, individuals and media who have made a marked contribution to a “fair and effective criminal justice system”.

Chief Executive Alasdair Jackson added: “I am so excited and pleased that Barry has been recognised with such a prestigious award.

“His expertise and empathy come from both professional and personal experience of the criminal justice system – he is compassionate, patient and understanding and is a real role model to the men and women he supports.

“He has changed countless lives since he came to Recycling Lives and I can’t think of a more deserving person.”

The award win also included a cash prize from the Criminal Justice Alliance which we now plan to invest in further training and development for Barry’s team, with a particular focus to develop our mental health and wellbeing support for offenders.