An annual prize for probation staff, organised by Napo and the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies.
In association with
Mike Guilfoyle worked as a probation officer in London for more than 20 years, following an earlier career as an educational welfare officer.
He was an active member of Napo and a regular attender and contributor to Napo’s work, including at branch level and annual conference. Following his retirement in 2010, Mike remained active in probation and wider criminal justice circles, becoming a magistrate in 2014. He was awarded an honorary life membership by Napo in 2022.
For many years, Mike also wrote regular articles on probation practice for the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies (CCJS) website. The articles, always insightful, often funny evoked what feels like something of a lost world: a service motivated by the values of ‘advise, assist and befriend’.
Mike died peacefully at home in November 2023, aged 68, after a long battle with prostate cancer. The Mike Guilfoyle essay prize, now in its second year, is co-organised by Napo and CCJS. The prize is intended as a tribute to Mike, and as an encouragement to others to follow in his footsteps: reflecting on, and writing about, all that is valuable and important in probation practice.
The prize is open to all serving and former probation staff, as well as those in training to become probation officers.
This year’s prize
Essay Question: What needs to change for probation to be more effective?
Closing date for submissions: 31st March 2026, 11:59pm.
Criteria for acceptance
To be considered, submissions must meet the following criteria:
- Submissions should adhere to professional standards, in the spirit of Mike Guilfoyle’s approach in the articles he wrote for this site.
- The essay should engage directly with the topic of professionalism in probation.
- Up to 1,000 words.
- The prize is open to all serving and former probation staff, as well as those in training to become probation officers.
- The essay must be an original piece of writing that has not been published previously.
- By submitting, you confirm that the essay is entirely your own work and that all content is accurate and fair to the best of your knowledge.
- If you are employed by HMPPS, please be mindful that normal rules apply regarding criticism of your employer.
Winning entries will be published in Napo Magazine and on the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies website.
There is no cash prize for winning entries.
Get in touch if you have any questions.
Submitting your essay
When you are ready to submit your essay, click on the button below.
Essays will need to be formatted in Word, Open Document or as a PDF.
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