I would like to state my support for RESPECT and the work it has accomplished in helping the Service to deliver improvements in staff race relations. I believe that achieving good race relations for both staff and prisoners is absolutely vital to the Prison Service’s success.

The Prison Service holds a disproportionate number of black prisoners. We need to ensure that they and for that matter all prisoners, have a positive experience of prison. This can only be achieved if we, the staff have a full understanding and acceptance of the diversity that exists in the Prison Service. RESPECT is working towards this and as its new Champion I fully support this.

Part of our strategy for running an effective Prison Service is to employ staff who are representative of our wider UK population. I want those who recruit staff to try more innovative techniques in marketing the Service to minority ethnic communities in order to encourage them to join us. It is equally important for the Service to support and treat them properly in order to illustrate that we can offer them a good career in an environment that will not tolerate prejudicial and discriminatory behaviour of any kind.

I feel RESPECT has a key role to play, working in partnership with the Prison Service management to fulfil these objectives. However, we cannot afford to become complacent, we need to build on our successes to date as I believe that both staff and prisoners may still be at risk of discrimination; whether deliberate or through ignorance. We need to re-double our efforts to improve the situation for all who are in our custody as well as those who work for the Prison Service.

I was delighted to be asked to be the first Champion of RESPECT. The launch of RESPECT was one of the best days in my leadership of the Prison Service and I’m very proud of the progress that’s been made in the two years since. RESPECT officials, members and supporters have worked hard to get RESPECT going and put in place the firm building blocks that will sustain and enable RESPECT to make a difference within the Service.

I am particularly satisfied by the work done at local level and the success of RESPECT awareness events held at establishments and headquarters buildings.

The Board have shown their commitment and support to assist RESPECT achieve its aim of “eliminating racism” by agreeing to fund the business plans and endorse the Core Time agreement. The work and achievements of RESPECT is an excellent example of the practical and vigorous application of racial equality policies in the Prison Service.

As the outgoing Director General and first ever Commissioner for Correctional Services I will be keeping abreast of the progress of RESPECT and guarantee my support for the future.

The pledge of ‘eliminating racism within the workplace’ will continue under the leadership of Phil Wheatley.