HMP Erlestoke are currently looking for new volunteers to help ensure a proper standard of care and decency are maintained for prisoners.
Volunteers are expected to only make a few visits a month, but the work they will be doing is vital to ensure that prisoners are being treated with humanity. No prior knowledge or experience is necessary.
The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), the organisation set up to ensure standards are maintained within prisons, says, “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.
“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.
“We regret that we cannot reimburse expenses incurred in attending familiarisation visits or interviews. 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 three to four visits per month depending on the needs of the board and the individual.”
For further information please visit www.imb.org.uk/join-now/current-vacancies/ Please quote reference 1220/Erlestoke/2022 on your application. The closing date for applications is 17th April.
