Andy Platt

I joined the Prison Service in 1991 and on completion of training was posted to HMP Full Sutton near York. I transferred to HMP Manchester in 1994, where I remain today as a Basic Grade Prison Officer. My current role is Foreign Nationals Officer

During recent years the increase in the overall prison population has brought an equal rise in the number prisoners originating from outside the United Kingdom. HMP Manchester’s response to this was to appoint a full time officer to investigate their needs and develop a support strategy to promote the safety and decency agenda of those prisoners that are nationally and locally identified as a vulnerable group.

Each Foreign National Prisoner (FNP) is interviewed, assessed and given an appropriate support package according their specific individual needs and requirement. Multi-agency working has proved vital to the success gained for this approach with a UK Border Agency staff seconded into the support team. Other agencies from the legal services, chaplaincy and the voluntary sector play a pivotal role in supporting our Foreign National population during their stay at HMP Manchester.

During the past four years implementation of simple systems of work and early interventions have proved very effective in dramatically reducing acts of self harm and attempted suicide amongst the FNP population at HMP Manchester. This approach has also encouraged substantial numbers of FNP's to return home to their country of origin with a support plan to re-establish themselves in their home communities.

In 2009 I was awarded an MBE by Her Majesty the Queen for services to the community and public service.