Professor Dirk van Zyl Smit has joined Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust as a Non-Executive Director. He was appointed to the mental health and learning disability service provider for Nottinghamshire on 1 May 2009, and brings with him a particular expertise and knowledge of prison law.
Since 2001 Dirk has worked as a Professor of Comparative and International Penal Law at the University of Nottingham, initially splitting his time between Nottingham and his native South Africa before taking up the role full time in 2006. His background includes many years as Professor of Criminology at the University of Cape Town where he was also Dean of the Faculty of Law. He also took on the role of project leader for the South African Law Commission on developing a national sentencing policy and legislation on sentencing.
Dirk advised the Council of Europe on the 2006 European Prison Rules and has written prison laws for countries including South Africa and Malawi as well as acting as a consultant on many others. He has recently had a book published, Principles of European Prison Law and Policy (OUP 2009).
Throughout his career Dirk has noticed how many people with mental health problems in prison could be better treated and rehabilitated in the mental health system and has for many years had an interest in forensic psychology. Commenting on his new role with Nottinghamshire Healthcare, Dirk said: “I am very pleased to have joined the Trust and be given the opportunity to use my knowledge and experience to benefit the local community and the people who use the services provided by Nottinghamshire Healthcare.”
As part of his remit, Dirk will chair the Mental Health Act Hospital Managers Committee.
Dirk lives in Nottingham with his wife who teaches Classics at the University of Nottingham.
All non executive appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Dirk van Zyl Smit has no declared political activity in the last five years and has held no other ministerial appointments. This appointment has been made in accordance with the OCPA Code of Practice.
