The Longford Prize: An Introduction by Judith Kazantzis, Chair of the Judging Panel 2002-2009

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I was delighted to chair for seven years the judging of this prize, named in memory of my father.  While he had his strength, he never failed to answer the prisoners, often despairing and lonely, who appealed to him for practical help or just friendship.  When I think back over the years to countless phone calls from unknown men, ringing to ask for Frank, or for Lord Longford, maybe to report progress on their case, or just to confide,  I see how he was an inspiration from my student days, in the deepest sense: in his belief in equality and justice, those two pillars of a truly free society.

No one is less free than the prisoner.  How simply I heard my father put this: how irrefutably.  He said that society cannot go on punishing and punishing the prisoner, who is already punished with the loss of his freedom, with the key thrown away.  The prisoner must be treated with human dignity.  He or she absolutely must be offered the chance of a new life after prison.

My father drew every day until he died from the teachings of Jesus Christ.  The prodigal son was a story we read to him on his deathbed.  He himself was prodigal in his prison visits, often in the worst of weathers, seeing complex, long incarcerated people at the end of exhausting journeys.  He was prodigal just as much in his public speaking out for reform of our prison system.  I believe he had it right: to work for the individual, to fight for the wider change, like one hand holding the other hand.

Prize Details

The Longford Prize is awarded annually by a prize committee on behalf of the trustees and patrons of the Frank Longford Charitable Trust.  It is sponsored by the Independent newspaper and organised in association with the Prison Reform Trust. It recognises the contribution of an individual, group or organisation working in the area of penal or social reform who/which has shown outstanding qualities of humanity, courage, persistence and originality.

How to make a nomination

(1) Send a short (maximum 1000 word) description of why the individual, group or organisation is suitable for the award.  All nominees must having been working in the field of social or penal reform at some stage during the 12 months before the deadline for entries. 

(2) Eight copies of your nomination for the 2010 Longford Prize should arrive at the trust’s offices (Longford Trust PO Box 64302, London NW6 9JP) on or before October 31, 2010

(3) Nominations should be endorsed by at least two individuals or groups working in the field of social or penal policy.  These endorsements should take the form of a short (one page) covering note, attached to the nomination, commending it to the attention of the trustees.

The criteria

The criteria the judging panel will apply will be as follows: (i) specific work in the field of social and/or community work; (ii) specific work in the field of penal reform, with prisoners or ex-prisoners; (iii) drawn attention to a particular area of human abuse, either on an individual or systemic level; (iv) drawn attention to a particular or general failure of social or penal provision; (v) provided particularly effective ideas for reform or policy recommendations; (vi) acted on a specific occasion, or continuously, with outstanding courage in the area of social and penal affairs.

The judging process

The judges will consider all entries and may want to seek additional information on nominees.  The winner and any additional specially commended entrants will be informed of the judges’ decision  in advance of the annual Longford Lecture for 2010 and will be invited to come to the event which will include the presentation of the Longford Prize.  The winner may be asked to say a few words from the platform.  In exceptional circumstances travelling expenses will be paid.

The Prize

The winner will receive a cheque for £1,000 and a certificate.  Any entrants specially commended will receive a cheque for £250 and a certificate.  If the judges make a special lifetime award, it carries no financial award. All will be invited to put up a small display about their work on the occasion of the Longford Lecture so that those attending this event can meet the prize winners at the reception which follows the lecture.  It is hoped that the awarding of the prize will attract public and media attention to the work of the individual/group or organisation honoured.

The Judges

The judges for the Longford Prize in 2010 will include Lord Ramsbotham, ex- Chief Inspector of Prisons, Sir Peter Lloyd, a former Prisons' Minister, Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust, the poet and novelist, Judith Kazantzis, and Peter Stanford, director of the Frank Longford Charitable Trust.  The panel will be chaired by former prison governor and Longford Trust trustee, John Podmore.

For previous winners please see past Longford Prize winners.