An awards ceremony was held to celebrate the achievements of former offenders who have turned their lives around.

HACRO, or the Hertfordshire Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders, which is based in St Albans, held an awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 15, at the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield.

More than 150 people attended the event, which honoured the achievements and commitments of ex-offenders, volunteers and partner organisations.

The ‘Turn Your Life Around’ award went to a woman who first became involved with the criminal justice system at age 14 and amassed 28 convictions between 1999 and 2011. She is now looking to start a foundation degree in science and is in the process of obtaining independent accommodation.

Local companies and personal sponsors present at the event included St Albans Priory and Harpenden Rotary Clubs, the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire and Herts county council chairman Richard Thake.