Drug counsellor gets prisoners' support to stay

PRISONERS have shown support for a Drug Concern counsellor fighting to keep his job.

John Knight and his family must leave today because Housing will not renew their essential five-year licence.

Mr Knight worked as a drug and alcohol counsellor in the prison for four-and-a-half years.

It is understood that prisoners organised a petition, which was forwarded to the Housing Department.

Prison governor Terry Wright said yesterday that although he could not comment on the matter, he supported Mr Knight remaining in the job because Drug Concern provided a valuable service.

Mr Knight said he had heard a lot of the prisoners had signed the petition.

'It's very flattering and gratifying to know I was doing a good job.'

He said it had been a nice gesture and he was 'gutted' that he and his family had to leave.

His wife, Lizanne, will leave the Guernsey Knight School of Irish Dancing without a qualified teacher.

Some 50 dancers aged five-to-18 cannot enter competitions without registration by a qualified teacher.