A top performer at her regular tasks, Karen Dixon has enthusiastically embraced additional duties at the Prison Service as Acting Custodial Manager for Residential Services. It is for her attributes as an exceptional officer and a “great leader” that Ms Dixon has been named government’s best employee for September.

Ms Dixon is firm and steadfastly respects the law. Yet, she has always stood out as a strong advocate for prisoners, going above the call of duty to assist them with their requests, applications and complaints.

Given her ability to interact with staff and prisoners with equal ease, Ms Dixon was given two important tasks by her superiors.

First, she was assigned to introduce a new service improvement programme titled Officer Advisor Scheme. It includes building awareness, engaging officers and prisoners, implementing procedures, providing support as well as evaluating and reporting on the progress.

She is also implementing the new Self Harm Prison Service Instruction, which aims to protect inmates by preventing self-harm and suicide through early detection of warning signs and fast action by officers.

Her outstanding professionalism marks her leadership and earns her respect among her peers. Maintaining high standards in her work, Ms Dixon expects no less from her colleagues, staff and prisoners.

She often goes out of her way to encourage prisoners and staff to put in their best effort and raise their performance to the highest level. In turn, she is quick to support improvements, welcome ideas and suggestions and recognise model behaviour, good work and consistent efforts.

Deputy Governor Hon. Franz Manderson, Cert. Hon., JP, hailed her ability to give everyone an opportunity to be heard and be willing to listen, calm situations and demonstrate genuine compassion. “Also highly resourceful, I am told you help the prison service stretch the proverbial dollar and I commend you for your dedicated service,” Mr. Manderson said, presenting the award. “It is for all these qualities that your colleagues have described you as ‘most determined’,” he added.

Responding, Ms Dixon modestly attributed her accomplishments to the team spirit within the prison service. “This was a very pleasant surprise and I thank all who thought me deserving of this prestigious award,” she commented.

Photo captions Photos by Nancy Lacasse, Office of the Deputy Governor

L-r: Deputy Governor, Hon. Franz Manderson; September’s Employee of the Month Ms Karen Dixon, who is Acting Custodial Manager for Residential Services with the Prison Service; and Ministry of Home Affairs Chief Officer, Mr. Eric Bush

Prison Service’s Acting Custodial Manager Karen Dixon is top employee for September.