Independent Monitoring Boards are made up of over a thousand unpaid volunteers operating in every prison, in England and Wales, and every immigration detention facility across the UK. We are looking for volunteers at HMP Durham.
IMB members are the eyes and ears of the public, appointed by ministers to perform a vital task: independent monitoring of prisons and immigration detention. They report on whether the individuals held there are being treated fairly and humanely and whether prisoners are being given the support they need to turn their lives around. This can make a huge difference to the lives of those held within these facilities.
You will have unrestricted access to these establishments and to everything that happens within them, including meetings, activities and records. Your observations and insights will provide a reality check on what is actually happening rather than what is supposed to be happening.
You will monitor what happens to prisoners or people in immigration detention who are segregated or separated from others. You may also be called in to observe serious incidents and record the way in which the situation is handled. Your observations are shared with the prison or immigration detention facility’s management team.
Findings and insights can be shared with other oversight bodies, such as the prisons’ inspectorate, as well as the prison service and the Home Office. They are also included in each prison and immigration detention facility’s annual report. They bring to light what needs attention as well as any progress that has been made.
Applicants do not need any special qualifications or experience as we will provide all necessary training and support. Candidates need to be over 18 years of age and live within a reasonable distance of the prison (up to one hour travel time). You need to be enthusiastic, open minded, possess effective communication skills and have the ability to exercise sound, objective judgement.
We are recruiting for the following boards
HMP Durham. .
Please apply via https://imb.org.uk/prison-volunteer/prison-volunteer-application/
This is an unpaid, voluntary role, but we pay your travel expenses and in certain circumstances, some loss of earnings and childcare/carer costs.
The time commitment is approximately 3 visits per month, although this will be higher in the first year as members go through induction into the role.
