STAFF from Canterbury Prison have been recognised for their hard work with short-term prisoners.

The short-term prisoner project received The Lord Woolf Award, for rehabilitation work in partnership with other agencies, from the Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace.

The award was given by The Butler Trust, an independent charity that recognises the outstanding contributions made by staff to the care of prisoners.

The project has been introduced by the prison, probation service and police to help resettle persistent short-term offenders back into the community.

It involves working closely with employment and benefits agencies, drug and alcohol services, NHS and accommodation providers.

Colin Gray, head of resettlement, and senior officer Paul Marsh received the top award of the Butler Trust on behalf of the team, which includes Alan Dann, Dave Atkinson, Helen Rinaldi and Jane Galbally.

Mr Atkinson, head of sentence management at Canterbury Prison, who was also at the palace, said: "The project has received quite a few accolades already and this is just the icing on the cake.

"We are very proud to have it and will use the prestige of the Butler Award to raise the profile of the project."

The team received framed certificates signed by Princess Anne and lapel pins. Over the next year they will be in contact with the trust to develop the project even further.

Mr Atkinson said: "With enough bite to the cherry you can make a difference."