Ruth Mann receives posthumous Lifetime Significant Achievement Award

Ruth, who sadly passed away in 2020, headed up the sex offender treatment programme and initiatives related to rehabilitative culture for HMPPS for many years. She was a forensic psychologist and worked in HMP Long Lartin and HMP Wandsworth before moving to HMPPS HQ.

The ATSA Lifetime Significant Achievement Award recognises and honours an individual who, over the course of their career, has made an important contribution within research and treatment for those convicted of sexual crimes.

ATSA is an international non-profit organisation with a multi-disciplinary membership of more than 3000 people dedicated to making society safer. Ruth joins many of her idols and mentors who inspired her and other research practitioners.

Leaving a legacy

The award was collected in Aurora, Colorado, on 29 September by her friend and colleague Dr Yolanda Fernandez, who Ruth first met at an ATSA conference in Chicago in 1996.

Ruth's husband, Michael Wheatley, who also works in HMPPS, described how Ruth would be both delighted and amazed to be given this award. 

Michael says: "Ruth would be so grateful, not just to ATSA but to HMPPS because both organisations enabled and supported her to be good and do better.

"She was proud of being a psychologist and working within HMPPS and never gave up on trying to make a difference."

He recalls Ruth asking if she would be remembered and leave a legacy. Clearly, she is and has.

Phil Copple, DG Operations, HMPPS, adds: "Ruth is deserving of this prestigious award, not only for her academic work and expertise in this area but because of her courage to take on a topic that is unquestionably difficult.

"Her courage to persist and continually learn has resulted in a large body of evidence supporting rehabilitation in prisons which has significantly influenced many people and continues to inspire and motivate.

"It is timely that this award was given on #HiddenHeroes day – Ruth was absolutely one of our HMPPS heroes."

Events

A series of celebratory events is being planned to recognise Ruth's influence – from her pioneering work in accredited programmes to her passion for enabling rehabilitative cultures. 

The events will celebrate her influence and provide opportunities to showcase some of the great work underway in HMPPS.

For further information, contact [email protected] or [email protected].

More information

Find more information on Ruth, visit the British Psychological Society website.