LETTERS – Become a prison volunteer

Do you want to obtain skills in a new and interesting way? Are you looking for a career change but lack the relevant work experience? Or are you searching for ways to meet new people and fill your time? Maybe you’re looking for ways to increase your confidence after having taken a break from the working world? Or maybe you’re a student or young person looking to develop your skillset and gain experience?
If any of the above apply to you, and you’re also looking for a voluntary role which provides insight into a world that few people see, then you could join our team of ordinary people doing an extraordinary role: independent monitors in prisons and immigration detention.
If so, the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Peterborough are looking for people to join them.
Volunteers are appointed by ministers to perform a vital task: independent monitoring of prisons.
The time requirement would be three to five days per month, together with attendance at a board meeting for one half day each month.
No previous experience of the criminal justice sector is required, rather a commitment to working as part of a team to monitor the conditions in the prison. Ongoing availability and commitment to the role is essential, together with living within 30 miles of the prison.
Once members have received their security clearance, they have unrestricted access to the prison and can talk to any prisoner they wish to, out of sight and hearing of members of staff, if necessary, to monitor day-to-day activity across the establishment.
This provides an opportunity to report on whether individuals are being treated fairly and humanely and whether they are being given the support they need to turn their lives around.
You will need to: be a good listener; always act with integrity; be committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion; be able to analyse observed events and behaviour, make decisions and apply common sense. You will also need to work within a team, be a good communicator and have basic computer skills.
Although this is an unpaid role, we pay travel and subsistence expenses, childcare/carer costs and, in certain circumstances, contributions towards loss of earnings.
Visit www.imb.org.uk to book onto a virtual recruitment event or to apply.

HMP Peterborough IMB