GOOD CHARACTER and meritorious service were celebrated at The Verne Prison when 37 officers received long service medals.

The officers, who are all currently working at Her Majesty’s Prison, each received a silver medal coined by the Royal Mint to celebrate 20 years’ service.

Family, prison representatives, the High Sheriff of Dorset Alan Frost and the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Valerie Pitt-Rivers joined staff for the medal service and drinks reception in the sunshine on Friday, March 23.

Governor James Lucas said that in total 76 staff members had qualified for the award but that only 37 could join them for the day.

He paid tribute to his staff and their families, who he said played an important role in supporting them.

He said: “I’m extremely proud of my staff.

“It’s so nice their contribution of 20 years of public service is being recognised.”

He added that his staff represented an enormous amount of experience and dedication.

Deputy governor David Bourne also paid tribute to the officers.

He said: “I’d like to congratulate them all for the amount of public service they have provided.

“Prisons are often forgotten.

“These officers and their families, through family support, have put in a large amount of time and do vital work.”

To qualify for a long service medal officers had to have worked in the prison service for 20 years, have had a meritorious service and have been of good character throughout.

Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Valerie Pitt-Rivers, who is the Queen’s representative in the county, handed out the awards and said this helped to bring the prison service into line with the awards already in place for long service in the police, fire service, ambulance service and the armed forces.

She said: “You have all done what at times must have been quite a difficult job in often difficult circumstances.”

She added: “It is a great honour for me on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen to present the awards and to say a huge thank you to you for everything you do.”