07 July 2025
A new Prison Governor has been appointed to lead the States of Jersey Prison Service.
Following a detailed selection process, Paul Yates OBE, the current Prison Governor at HMP
Nottingham, will take on the role from 1 September 2025, for a three-year term.
The selection process for the Prison Governor role was overseen by the Jersey Appointments
Commission and involved a familiarisation day for candidates with a tour of HMP La Moye and a
stakeholder discussion panel.
HMP Nottingham is a men’s Reception and Resettlement prison in the Sherwood area of
Nottingham which serves courts in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
Mr Yates began his criminal justice career in 1988, undertaking street-based youth work in
Nottingham, joining the Nottinghamshire Probation Area in 1993 as a Relief Hostel Worker. He
attended Nottingham Trent University from 1993 to 1996, leaving with a BSc Hons in Social
Work and qualifying as a Probation Officer in 1996.
Mr Yates continued to work for Nottinghamshire Probation Area as a Probation Officer and
Senior Probation Officer, during which time he gained an MSc in Criminology from
Loughborough University. He transferred to the Derbyshire Probation Area in 2001 as Senior
Probation Officer and latterly was promoted to Assistant Chief Probation Officer in 2003.
His portfolio included responsibility for Derby City and South Derbyshire, Courts and Prisons.
In 2008, Mr Yates joined HM Prison Service on the Senior Prison Manager Programme, following
which he was Deputy Governor at both HMP Sudbury & HMP & YOI Nottingham. In 2013, he
was promoted to Governing Governor of HMP North Sea Camp, HMP & YOI Lincoln in 2016 and
HMP Nottingham in 2022, where he remains today.
He has delivered custodial innovations and improvements at HMP & YOI Lincoln, including The
Departure Lounge, Inmates Call Centre, reduced self-harm and violence through new debt
strategy, and effective outcomes through close partnership with local charities. HMP Lincoln
received its highest ever HMIP inspection score in 2019/2020 under Paul’s leadership.
Mr Yates was mentioned in Her Majesty the Queen, Birthday Honours list in 2021 and awarded
an Order of the British Empire, OBE, medal for Services to Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation
Services, Reducing Reoffending and Public Protection. He received his OBE in 2022 at Windsor
Castle from His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, Prince William.
Speaking about his appointment, Mr Yates said: “I am very pleased to take on this role. My
priority is to build on the excellent work already in train by the team at HMP La Moye and I am
looking forward to serving the States of Jersey, and the people of Jersey. At HMP Nottinghamshire I
have pursued a passion for building a rehabilitative culture, reducing re-offending and public
protection.
“I look forward to building on the work happening at La Moye and combining my skills and
experience with that of the senior team at La Moye to ensure the best outcomes for all
prisoners.”
Deputy Mary Le Hegarat, Minister for Justice and Home Affairs said: “I welcome Paul to the
Justice and Home Affairs family in this important senior leadership role and look forward to the
skills and experience he has built in his diverse career benefitting the States of Jersey Prison
Service. Paul was chosen from a very strong field of external candidates.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Artur Soliwoda for the excellent role he has played
as Acting Governor, leading HMP La Moye and the States of Jersey Prison Service."
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