Executive Director, Youth Custody Service

Ed Cornmell

Biography

Ed Cornmell was appointed Executive Director of the Youth Custody Service in October 2022.

Ed was previously the Deputy Director responsible for prison operations nationally. Prior to this as Deputy Director Operations in the Transforming Delivery in Prisons Programme, he initiated and led approaches that were introduced into the Prison Strategy White Paper, building on post-COVID learning.

From February 2020, as Deputy Director for COVID-19 Prison Gold Command, Ed assumed responsibility for critical decisions, innovating and adapting processes at great pace to manage the risk in the early days and weeks of the pandemic. Ed maintained this role through to planning for recovery, overseeing the transition back to normal operations. Ed was recognised in the Queen’s Jubilee Birthday Honours 2022 for this work and awarded the OBE.

Ed’s previous posts include Deputy Director for the Long Term and High Security Estate and Governor roles in HMP Full Sutton, HMP Humber and HMP Everthorpe.

Ed started his career in policy delivery within HM Prison Service headquarters, before moving to the operational delivery profession where he has operated at all operational grades from Prison Officer to Governing Governor working in a range of custodial environments.

Executive Director, Youth Custody Service

  • providing safe and decent child-centred care for children and young people remanded or sentenced to custody aged 10 to 18 in England and Wales
  • safeguarding children and young people in custody, and creating a supportive learning environment
  • improving the opportunities for children and young people in custody to support successful release and resettlement
  • direct operational delivery of 4 public sector under 18 Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) and oversight of a privately delivered YOI unit in Wales
  • commissioning of services, monitoring and contractual management of placements into Secure Children’s Homes, the Secure Training Centre and the first Secure School
  • strategic development of the Children and Young People’s Secure Estate including the delivery of the Secure School project

HM Prison and Probation Service and Youth Custody Service