Announcements (Archive)

Member - Volunteers needed on Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB) at HMP Stafford

Body
Independent Monitoring Board (IMB)
Appointing Department
Ministry of Justice
Sector
Prison & Policing
Location
HMP Stafford, 54 Gaol Road, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST16 3AW
Number of Vacancies
2
Remuneration
Unremunerated though reasonable expenses will be re-imbursed
Time Requirements
Approx. 3 - 4 visits per month during the probationary period, later reducing to 2 to 3 visits per month. This can be flexible depending on the needs of the Board and the individual.
Closing Date
22/07/2018 0000
Interviews
TBA - Anticipated early/mid-August

Vacancy Description

We are currently looking for new volunteers to join IMB Stafford helping to ensure that proper standards of care and decency are maintained.

Person Specification

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 approx. 20 miles of the prison. You need to be enthusiastic, open minded, possess effective communication skills and have the ability to exercise sound, objective judgement.

Additional Information

HMP Stafford is a category C, adult male, sex offender national prison accommodating 751. Located very near to Stafford town centre, it is one of the oldest prisons in the country and includes many Grade II listed buildings. In view of the age of the building, some areas do not have ramps/lifts. The prison includes seven residential wings, one of which is set aside for newly arrived prisoners, there is also a facility on site for older prisoners. The prison has comprehensive healthcare, education, workshop and vocational training facilities. The current population of HMP Stafford sees 44% over the age of 50 years, of which 10% are over the age of 70 years. Inside every prison, there is an IMB – a group of ordinary members of the public doing an extraordinary job. IMB members are independent, unpaid and work an average of 4 visits per month depending on the needs of the Board and the individual. Members are the eyes and ears of Ministers and monitor the day-to-day life in their local prison to ensure that proper standards of care and decency are maintained. Your background can be as a student, a person of working age or retired. We welcome applications from people over 18 and are particularly keen to hear from those of working age and individuals from black and minority ethnic communities, since these groups are under-represented on the existing Boards. The role is about fairness and decency and is always rewarding, educational and challenging. Please click on www.imb.org.uk to find out how being an IMB member can benefit you. Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuQ4WxirPlg and view the short film ‘Joining the Independent Monitoring Board’ and hear current IMB members talking about their role.

How to Apply

An application pack along with further details on how to apply is available from http://www.imb.org.uk/join-now/current-vacancies/. Completed applications should be emailed to IMBrecruitment@justice.gsi.gov.uk by the closing date. Alternatively, please telephone 020 3334 3265 providing your name and address and we will post one to you. Completed applications should be posted to IMB Secretariat, 5th Floor, Post Point 5.12, Clive House, 70 Petty France, London, SW1H 9EX by the closing date Reference Number: 825/Stafford/2018 (to be quoted in all correspondence and on application form)