Longford Prize Winner: HMP Grendon

The judges took the unusual step of awarding the Longford Prize to a whole prison. They did so to highlight their belief that the regime at Grendon, run on therapeutic lines as a community with the support of staff and prisoners alike, represents a beacon of hope for the Prison Service because of its proven track record in cutting reoffending and promoting the principles of rehabilitation.

The judges also made a Lifetime Achievement Award to Lucy Gampell, director of Action for Prisoners' Families until December 2008, where for 15 years she was responsible for raising the profile and improving the treatment of prisoners' families.