Promoting excellence in correctional settings
History
The Butler Trust was set up in 1985 in memory of "RAB" Butler (Lord Butler of Saffron Walden), a reforming former Home Secretary, and was the idea of the Reverend Peter Timms OBE.
Rev Timms had been a prison governor for over 20 years and felt that prison should focus on rehabilitation and working with prisoners to encourage and help them to lead a good and useful life. He knew there was a lot of good work being done by workers in prisons, and wanted a way to reward the contribution prison staff were making.
He discussed his idea with former editor of The Observer David Astor, who agreed to help establish and fund an awards scheme. The two men approached the widow of former Conservative home secretary “RAB” Butler (Lord Butler of Saffron Walden) and suggested dedicating the awards to his memory.
‘We knew him as one of the most genuinely reforming men you were likely to meet,’ explained Reverend Timms, ‘and we were delighted when his family [sons Adam, James and Sir Richard, and his daughter Sarah] agreed to help establish and fund the charity. With Veronica Linklater – now Baroness Linklater of Butterstone – as its first administrator, the Trust took shape.
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal was approached to be the Trust’s Patron, and has been a constant and highly supportive presence ever since. Each year she presides over the Award Ceremony, presenting our Award Winners and Commendees with their certificates.
Since its launch the Trust has gone from strength to strength. It has widened its scope to bring probation and now youth justice within its purview, and increasingly focuses not only on recognising excellence on the part of staff and volunteers, but also on helping to further develop the work of our Award Winners and Commendees and to share their good practice more widely.
