Inspire Justice Awards 2027

Award description:

Justice sector organisations play a critical role in civil contingency planning and emergency response ensuring public safety, continuity of justice services, and co-ordinated action during crises. This award recognises individuals or teams who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, preparedness, and collaboration in building resilience across the justice system. Whether responding to major incidents, supporting recovery efforts, or strengthening emergency planning, these nominees exemplify dedication to protecting communities and maintaining justice under pressure.

Eligibility:

Open to individuals or teams working in or with justice organisations who contribute to civil contingency planning, emergency preparedness, crisis response, or resilience-building efforts.

Judging criteria – nominees should demonstrate:

• Preparedness and planning:
Development or implementation of effective contingency plans, risk assessments, or emergency protocols.

• Operational excellence:
Outstanding performance during a live incident or emergency, ensuring continuity of services and public safety.

• Collaboration and coordination:
Strong partnership working across agencies, sectors, or communities to deliver a joined-up response.

• Innovation and learning:
Introduction of new tools, systems, or practices that strengthen resilience and inform future preparedness.

Award description:

A core pillar of the justice system is the belief in rehabilitation as a means to protect public safety and support individuals in building better futures. This award recognises the outstanding contributions of individuals working to reintegrate people into society – whether through probation, parole, liaison and diversion services, education, training, or other rehabilitative pathways. These professionals play a vital role in reducing reoffending and creating safer, more supportive communities.

Eligibility:

Open to individuals working in any capacity across the justice system who support rehabilitation and reintegration at any stage of the justice journey.

Judging criteria – nominees should demonstrate:

• Exceptional commitment:
Going above and beyond in their role to support rehabilitation and public safety.

• Leadership and inspiration:
Acting as a role model and champion for their field, inspiring colleagues and service users alike.

• Collaborative practice:
Working effectively across teams, agencies, or sectors to deliver joined-up, person-centred support.

• Tangible impact:
Demonstrable improvements in service delivery, outcomes for individuals, or community safety.

Award description:

Staff working across courts and tribunals are essential to the delivery of a fair, efficient, and accessible justice system. This award recognises individuals in non-judicial roles who go above and beyond to support the smooth running of justice services. Whether working in case management, ushering, administration, facilities, or business support, these professionals play a vital role in ensuring that court and tribunal users are treated with dignity, respect, and care.

Eligibility:

Open to all non-judicial staff working in courts and tribunals, including operational, administrative, and support roles.

Judging criteria – nominees should demonstrate:

• Excellence in service:
Delivering high-quality work that improves the experience and outcomes for court and tribunal users.

• Compassion and professionalism:
Approaching their role with empathy, integrity, and a strong commitment to public service.

• Leadership and role modelling:
Acting as a positive influence and champion for their profession, inspiring colleagues and contributing to a supportive workplace culture.

• Proactive improvement:
Taking initiative to support their team, solve problems, and identify or implement improvements in their area of work.

Award description:

Staff working in custody and detention settings play a vital role in ensuring safety, dignity, and care for individuals in secure environments. This award recognises those in non-uniformed or non-officer roles – whether in prisons, youth justice, immigration detention, police custody, or secure hospitals – who go above and beyond to support the wellbeing of those in their care and contribute to the effective functioning of custodial services. Their work, often behind the scenes, is essential to creating humane, rehabilitative environments.

Eligibility:

Open to individuals in non-officer roles working in any custodial or detention setting, including healthcare, education, administration, facilities, casework, or support services.

Judging criteria – nominees should demonstrate:

• Excellence in service:
Consistently delivering high-quality work that improves outcomes for individuals in custody and supports public safety.

• Compassion and respect:
Approaching their role with empathy, professionalism, and a commitment to treating people with dignity.

• Leadership and advocacy:
Acting as a role model and champion for their profession, inspiring colleagues and improving practice.

• Collaboration and innovation:
Working proactively with others to improve services, solve problems, and drive positive change in custodial settings.

Award description:

The justice system achieves better outcomes when it includes voices from all communities and ensures equal opportunities for all. This award recognises individuals, teams or organisations who are driving meaningful change through diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Whether through strategy, advocacy, or action, these changemakers are improving outcomes for staff from underrepresented groups and creating more inclusive, respectful, and equitable environments across the justice sector.

Eligibility:

Open to individuals or teams working in any justice-related organisation who have led or significantly contributed to DEI initiatives.

Judging criteria – nominees should demonstrate:

• Strategic leadership:
Development and implementation of a clear intervention or programme aimed at increasing inclusivity.

• Tangible impact:
Evidence of measurable improvements – such as enhanced workplace culture, increased representation, improved staff retention, or greater inclusion in decision-making.

• Problem-solving and advocacy:
Identification and proactive response to specific equity, inclusion, or diversity challenges within their organisation.

• Data-driven change:
Use of workforce data, staff feedback, or service user insights to inform and evaluate interventions.

• Sustainability and accountability:
Clear metrics and mechanisms in place to monitor progress and ensure continuous improvement in DEI outcomes.

Award description:

Digital innovation is reshaping the justice landscape enhancing access, improving outcomes, and empowering communities. This award recognises individuals, teams or organisations who have demonstrated outstanding creativity and impact through the use of digital tools, platforms, or approaches to advance justice. Whether through service design, data use, digital communications, or emerging technologies, these nominees are driving inclusive, systemic change through digital means.

Eligibility:

Open to individuals, teams or organisations working within or in partnership with justice sector bodies, who have developed or implemented a digital innovation that advances justice, promotes equity, or drives systemic improvement.

Judging criteria – nominees should demonstrate:

• Innovation and creativity:
Introduction of new or adapted digital approaches that address justice-related challenges in novel ways.

• Impact and effectiveness:
Evidence of positive outcomes for users, communities, or systems as a result of the innovation.

• Accessibility and inclusion:
A commitment to designing solutions that are equitable, user-centred, and accessible to diverse populations.

• Scalability and sustainability:
Potential for the innovation to be scaled, replicated, or sustained over time to maximise its benefit.

Award description:

Learning transforms lives – whether it’s equipping justice professionals with the skills to serve the public or empowering service users to build brighter futures. This award recognises outstanding individuals, teams, or organisations – whether internal educators or external training providers – who deliver high-quality, inclusive, and impactful learning experiences. From regulatory training to personal development, for staff or service users, these educators are driving positive change across the justice system.

Eligibility:

Open to educators, trainers, learning and development teams, or training providers delivering formal or informal learning within the justice sector.

Judging criteria – nominees should demonstrate:

• High-quality delivery:
Rigorous, engaging, and accessible training that meets regulatory standards and supports learner success.

• Innovation in learning:
Creative or enhanced approaches to training that improve the learner experience and adapt to sector needs.

• Impact on services:
Clear evidence that learning has improved staff performance, service delivery, or outcomes for service users or the public.

• Advocacy for development:
Championing the value of education and continuous learning within the justice system.

Award description:

Justice inspectorates play a vital role in upholding the integrity, quality, and accountability of public services across the UK. Through independent scrutiny and expert evaluation, they help ensure that justice services are ethical, effective, and responsive to the needs of the public. This award recognises individuals working within inspectorate bodies who go above and beyond to support their organisation’s mission – contributing to better outcomes for service users, staff, and the wider justice system.

Eligibility:

Open to individuals working in any UK justice inspectorate or oversight body, including those focused on prosecution, policing, probation, prisons, courts or youth justice.

Judging criteria – nominees should demonstrate:

• Excellence in standards:
Consistently delivering high-quality work that supports service improvement and public accountability.

• Compassion and integrity:
Approaching their role with care, fairness, and a strong sense of public duty.

• Leadership and advocacy:
Acting as a role model and champion for the value of independent oversight and continuous improvement.

• Proactive contribution:
Taking initiative to support their team, identify areas for development, and drive positive change within their organisation or across the justice system.

Award description:

People with lived experience bring unique insight, authenticity, and understanding to the justice system. This award recognises individuals who use their personal experiences of the justice system, including experiences of crime, victimisation, rehabilitation, recovery, or other relevant life challenges, to create positive change for others. Whether through advocacy, peer support, service design, community engagement, policy development, or mentoring, these champions help ensure that justice services are informed by the voices and experiences of those they serve. Their contribution helps build more inclusive, responsive, and effective systems that empower individuals and strengthen communities.

Eligibility:

Open to individuals who use their lived experience to influence, support, improve, or shape justice-related services, programmes, policies, or communities. This may include peer mentors, advocates, volunteers, advisors, campaigners, service user representatives, community leaders, or individuals working within justice, voluntary, or public sector organisations.

Judging criteria – nominees should demonstrate:

• Meaningful impact:
Using their lived experience to make a positive and measurable difference to individuals, services, communities, or the wider justice system.

• Courage and authenticity:
Drawing on personal experiences with honesty, resilience, and integrity to inspire, inform, and support others.

• Advocacy and influence:
Championing the voices of people with lived experience and helping to shape policies, practices, or services that better meet people’s needs.

• Leadership and collaboration:
Working effectively with organisations, professionals, and communities to drive improvement, foster inclusion, and create lasting change.

Award description:

Policing is a team effort and behind every officer is a network of dedicated professionals in roles who help keep communities safe. This award recognises the invaluable contributions of police and law enforcement staff who work across a wide range of functions, from supporting investigations and protecting critical infrastructure, to assisting victims and enabling frontline operations. Whether in administration, forensics, intelligence, HR, analysis, or specialist roles, these individuals are essential to the delivery of modern policing.

Eligibility:

Open to individuals in non-warranted (civilian) roles within police forces or law enforcement agencies, such as: administrators, receptionists, HR staff, forensic teams, victim support workers, researchers, analysts, investigators, customs officials, and operational support staff.

Judging criteria – nominees should demonstrate:

• Excellence in service:
Consistently delivering high-quality work that improves services and outcomes for the public.

• Compassion and professionalism:
Approaching their role with empathy, integrity, and a commitment to public service.

• Leadership and role modelling:
Inspiring others through their dedication, attitude, and contribution to a positive workplace culture.

• Innovation and teamwork:
Proactively supporting their team and identifying ways to improve systems, processes, or outcomes.

Award description:

Voluntary, not-for-profit, charity, and third sector organisations are the backbone of many justice and community safety efforts. This award recognises the outstanding contributions of organisations working to support rehabilitation, crime prevention, victim support, public awareness, and community safety. These organisations often fill critical gaps, respond to emerging needs, and build trust where it matters most. We want to celebrate those who go above and beyond to make a lasting difference in the lives of individuals and communities.

Eligibility:

Open to voluntary, charitable, and third sector organisations or teams working in partnership with justice services or delivering community-based justice initiatives.

Judging criteria – nominees should demonstrate:

• Meaningful impact:
Clear evidence of how their work has improved outcomes for service users, communities, or justice services.

• Adaptability and resilience:
Ability to overcome challenges and respond to changing needs while continuing to deliver vital support.

• Collaborative working:
Strong partnerships with statutory agencies such as policing, probation, courts, or community safety services.

• Public and stakeholder support:
Demonstrated support from volunteers, service users, funders, or partner organisations for their mission and approach.