Long joins celebrations for Butler Trust award winners in London ceremony

Justice Minister Naomi Long has congratulated Butler Trust Award winners from the Northern Ireland Prison Service and Youth Justice Agency.

Daniel Diamond, from the Youth Justice Agency in Belfast, was one of the 10 winners from across the UK to receive the Butler Trust Award, presented annually by HRH Princess Anne to those working in custodial and community justice settings. Aaron Stewart, a Prison Officer at Maghaberry Prison also received a commendation.

Justice Minister Naomi Long attended the Royal Awards ceremony in St James Palace, London where she was joined by Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, Beverley Wall.

Naomi Long said: “This is deserving recognition for unstinting dedication – in the case of Daniel, with the Youth Justice Agency for more than 16 years, and for Aaron as a Senior Officer at Maghaberry Prison.

“Daniel's unique ability to reach and inspire has changed countless young lives for the better. His quiet, unassuming manner creates safety and trust in his relationships with children, young people and families alike.

“He has also been instrumental in the development of the skills of colleagues working alongside him as part of a continuing drive to improve their practice, promoting positive outcomes for children, families and victims.”

Congratulating Daniel Diamond on winning the Butler Trust Award, Youth Justice Agency CEO Stephen Martin, said: “There are many children, families and colleagues who feel fortunate to have crossed paths with Daniel over the years.

“Professionally, as a colleague, Daniel is astute; an open thinker who is not easily influenced by others, rather, he is able to consider and critically analyse a range of evidence from multiple sources before arriving at sound decisions. He is a skilled practitioner who can manage complexity with ease, effecting change in the lives of young people, supporting them to build better lives and futures for themselves, within which offending no longer fits.”

Minister Naomi Long also congratulated Prison Officer Aaron Stewart on his Butler Trust Award Commendation. She said: “Aaron's remarkable contributions to the Care and Supervision Unit within Northern Ireland Prison Service makes him a deserving recipient of this award. His dedication extends beyond administrative and logistical improvements. He takes immense pride in working with prisoners who have the most complex and challenging issues, and his compassionate and empathetic approach has made a profound difference in the lives of these individuals.”

Beverley Wall, Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, added: “Aaron goes above and beyond to understand the unique needs of prisoners, providing personalised support and guidance that helps them navigate their circumstances more effectively. His commitment to helping these prisoners overcome their challenges is a testament to his unwavering dedication to their rehabilitation and well-being.”

Notes to Editors

1. HRH The Princess Royal has been Patron of the Butler Trust since it was founded in 1985, hosting the Trust's Annual Award Ceremony and visiting many of their award winners and commendees in their places of work afterwards. Named in memory of former Home Secretary, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Foreign Secretary, R. A. (Rab) Butler, Baron Butler of Saffron Walden, the Butler Trust Awards are the most prestigious awards of their kind, and recognise and celebrate outstanding practice by people working in criminal justice settings. The awards are judged by an independent panel made up of Butler Trust trustees, and current and former prison and probation staff.
2. Maghaberry Prison is the only Category ‘A' prison in Northern Ireland and also operates as a remand prison for all adult male prisoners in the country. It accommodates a range of sentenced prisoners such as life sentence, indeterminate and extended custody prisoners, separated prisoners, fine defaulters and civil prisoners.
3. The Youth Justice Agency aims to make communities safer by helping children to stop offending. The Agency works with children aged 10-17 years who have offended or are at serious risk of offending.