A minister from Mold has received a special award for helping
Welsh-speaking offenders to resettle back in their
communities.
Reverend Nan Powell-Davies was awarded the Special
Commendation Award for going well beyond the norm to
help integrate offenders into the community through the use
of the Welsh language in the North Wales Volunteer & Community Justice Awards 2009,
held in Llandudno last night.
Congratulations, Nan!
The Awards, which are held by the North Wales Criminal
Justice Board, acknowledge the exceptional
work and commitment of people working in North Wales to
reduce crime and improve the quality of life for local
communities.
Reverend Powell-Davies is co-ordinator of BARA, the
befriending and resettlement agency which works with
offenders from north Wales after they are released from
prison. A minister with the Presbyterian Church of
Wales, she also spends two days a week working as chaplain
in Altcourse Prison, Liverpool.
Nan said, "I'm extremely pleased to have received this award
because I feel it's an honour for the church. This is
the work of the church and I feel that the church has been
seen at work in a world that is hurting.
“But the greatest joy to me on the night came from seeing
Matthew Thomas receiving the award for the volunteer who has
been an ex-offender. He was at Altcourse and I was his
chaplain for two years. I'm overjoyed that Matthew has
been able to chance his life and has won the award for his
volunteering and his cooperation with the police and young
people.”
Ed Beltrami, Chair of the North Wales Criminal Justic Board,
added: As Criminal Justice Agencies we need to highlight the
effective joint working relationship in North Wales.
"These awards highlight that we are
making huge strides in criminal justice commitments to
develop partnership working and bring together the public,
private and voluntary sectors. They are a real tribute to
everyone involved."
Around one in
three prisoners at HM Prison Altcourse, Liverpool,
originates from north Wales.
BARA (Welsh for bread)
supports ex-offenders as they attempt to resettle into
communities in North Wales, offering assistance with the
issues they may have related to finding accommodation or
deaing with alcohol and other substance misuse, as well as
giving encouragement with work, education and leisure. BARA
volunteers also support offenders’ families as they come to
terms with the absence of a husband, son or father, and then
help them to adapt on his release. It is sponsored by the
Presbyterian Church of Wales, amongst others.
BARA volunteers currently come from the Caernarfon area, and
a new BARA Wrexham will start become operational in the near
future.
