Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live in or near one of the following prisons in London and be within one hour travel time using their chosen mode of transport (car or public transport):
- HMP Belmarsh (Category A high security prison for men over the age of 18)
- HMP/YOI Isis (Category C training prison for young adult and adult male prisoners up to age 27)
- HMP/YOI Pentonville (Category B local prison for young offenders and adult males)
- HMP Wormwood Scrubs (Category Blocal prison for adult males)
You will be able to communicate with any prisoner or detained person you wish to, out of sight or hearing from staff, so they can voice any concerns. These can be wide-ranging issues such as safety concerns, healthcare, their ability to access the programmes and activities they need, alleged discrimination, lost property, or access to visits from family or friends.
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.
You’ll be able to see whether there are programmes and courses that can help prisoners to turn their lives round. You’ll also see how prisoners are helped to reintegrate back into society and their families, and to access housing and employment.
Live within 30 miles of the prison or immigration detention facility or a reasonable distance for travel.
Commit to around 2 – 3 visits a month (sometimes more during the induction period) and regular attendance at monthly board meetings.
You do not need any special qualifications or experience. We provide all necessary training and support.
There are some key qualities we look for in volunteers:
- analysis and decision-making
- commitment and perseverance
- communication
- equality, diversity and inclusion
- integrity and independence
- teamwork and development
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