Member - Volunteers needed on Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB) Deerbolt, Frankland, Low Newton, Northumberland
- Body
- Independent Monitoring Board
- Appointing Department
- Ministry of Justice
- Sectors
- Judicial, Prison & Policing, Prison & Policing, Regulation
- Location
- HMP/YOI Deerbolt DL12 9BG, HMP Frankland DH1 5YA, HMP/YOI Low Newton DH1 5YA, HMP Northumberland NE65 9XG
- Skills required
- Legal / Judicial
- Number of Vacancies
- up to 15 vacancies
- Remuneration
- Unremunerated though reasonable expenses will be re-imbursed.
- Time Requirements
- Approx. 2 to 3 visits per month although this may be slightly higher during the first year of training. This can be flexible depending on the needs of the Board and the individual
- Closing Date
- 22/05/2022
- Interviews
- TBC
Vacancy Description
We are currently looking for new volunteers to join IMB the above noted boards 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. 30 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
Additional Information: HMP/YOI Deerbolt is a prison that accommodates prisoners aged 18-24 in Startforth, near Barnard Castle in County Durham. Given the demographic of the prison, monitoring the conditions for rehabilitation is a key part of the regime. Volunteering with the IMB can make you key to this process. Many members of the community wonder what goes on behind bars in prison’s, now by volunteering with the IMB you can find out what fantastic jobs are completed day in day out… and truly make a difference.
HMP Frankland High security prison on the outskirts of Durham city housing approximately 800 men in 8 separate wings.
HMP/YOI Low Newton opened in 1965 as a remand centre, with four wings holding young men up to 21 years of age and a discrete wing for women of all ages, on remand and sentenced. The prison was re-rolled as a women’s prison in 1998 when it was refurbished. It now consists of eight residential wings, together with general prisoner use areas. The establishment holds women of all ages, from 18 years onwards, on remand and sentenced. It includes those serving short sentences to those serving licence sentences and also restricted status (high security) women.
HMP Northumberland: Category C , large, (1300+ prisoners) all male prison on a very large estate, in a remote location. The location is accessible by public transport but this takes 2 hours each way from Newcastle. Therefore, it is better if board members have their own transport.
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 complete an average of 2-3 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 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.
How to Apply
Applicants can find further information and apply online via the IMB website https://www.imb.org.uk/join-now/current-vacancies/ In exceptional circumstances a paper copy of the application may be possible applicants should contact imb@justice.gov.uk in the first instance.
Please note that some of our recruitment practices may be adapted in light of restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, tours may not be available and interviews may take place via ZOOM. As part of the recruitment process you will be informed about any local arrangements in place to adapt recruitment processes in light of COVID-19.
1219/North East Cluster/2022 (to be quoted in all correspondence and on application form)