North Yorkshire Probation will welcome the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, when he visits York Probation Office on Friday 6 March.

The Archbishop, who will be formally met by the North Yorkshire Probation Board Chair, Ken Bellamy CBE, will be introduced and given the opportunity to speak to staff and offenders about the valuable work that probation undertakes in the community. Staff will show and discuss with Dr Sentamu the work that they undertake to support and rehabilitate offenders sentenced to a Community Sentence.

Speaking before the visit, Dr. Sentamu said: “The work of the probation service is vital to the proper functioning of the criminal justice system. I am delighted to have the opportunity to meet with the dedicated men and women who serve the whole community through their work in the oversight and rehabilitation of offenders.”

The Archbishop is well versed in justice matters; Dr Sentamu read law at the University of Makerere in Kampala, before practising as a barrister. As a former Judge and Britain's most senior black churchman, he was invited to serve as an advisor on the Stephen Lawrence enquiry. He also chaired the Damilola Taylor Review in 2002.

Petra Chapman-Gibbs, Senior Probation Officer, who sent the initial invitation to the Archbishop, said: “The staff at York are excited and proud that Dr Sentamu has agreed to take the time to meet staff and offenders. It’s a real honour for us to demonstrate the work that we do to a religious world leader, who is also part of the community that we serve.”

Staff are no strangers to welcoming the Archbishop of York – the York office was officially opened in 1995 by the then Archbishop of York, David Hope.

Ken Bellamy CBE, Chair, North Yorkshire Probation Board says: "I am delighted that the Archbishop is joining us. His welcome visit an provides opportunity for him to meet staff and see examples of their dedicated work in delivering effective community sentences targeted to reduce re-offending and protect the public in North Yorkshire.”