STAFF who have helped prisoners and ex-prisoners rebuild their lives are to be honoured at an annual awards ceremony.

Durham-based charity Nepacs will hold its awards for people who have tried to reduce reoffending during a ceremony at Lumley Castle, in Chester-le-Street on Tuesday (Sept 20).

Awards and certificates will be presented by Paul Foweather, deputy director of custody for the National Offender Management Service North-East region.

There will be four main awards and 25 certificates of high commendation presented to individuals or teams who work in probation, prisons and youth offender institutions, the voluntary sector or other agencies working within criminal justice across the North-East.

Helen Attewell, chief executive of Nepacs, said: “Many of the people held in our prisons, or who are supervised in the community, have experienced multiple problems in their lives.

“Many have addictions, have experienced homelessness, suffer poor mental health, or have themselves been victims of violent or sexual crime.

“The move from custody to community can be a particularly difficult time for prisoners and their families as they attempt to establish a life free from offending.

“It is at this point that prisoners need a great deal of help and support to help them prepare for their release and to aid successful rehabilitation in the community”.