Strengthen the protection of people in detention through independent monitoring
Volunteer monitoring work with the IMB gives you the opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives. You will listen to prisoners, talk to staff and see for yourself what is actually happening behind prison walls.
What will I do as a volunteer?
You will make regular visits to prison
After you have completed your induction period you will make regular visits to the prison you are affiliated to and observe everything that goes on. You will see how staff relate to prisoners, and what processes there are for supporting and rehabilitating individuals. You will have full access to the prison, from the landings to the care and supervision units and learning and skills centres.
You will hear directly from those in prison
You will be able to communicate with any prisoner 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 play an active role
You will have unrestricted access to the Northern Ireland prison you are assigned to including meetings and activities and reasonable access to records. Your observations and insights will provide a critical independent voice to the working of prisons in Northern Ireland.
You will monitor what happens to prisoners. 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 management team.
Findings and insights can be shared with other oversight bodies, such as the prisons’ inspectorate, as well as the Northern Ireland Prison Service and Department of Justice. They are also included in each prison’s annual report. They bring to light what needs attention as well as any progress that has been made.
You’ll be able to see whether there are programmes and courses availiable to prisoners to allow them to make purposeful use of their time. You’ll also see how prisoners are helped to reintegrate back into society and their families, and to access housing and employment.
You will attend training and meetings
In the first nine to twelve months you will undergo new member training which will include shadowing experienced members of your local Board. You will also be allocated a mentor who will support you with your professional development.
Each Board holds a monthly meeting which the governor attends. This meeting usually takes place within working hours and members are required to attend a number of Board meetings a year.
Please note that during this induction period the required time commitment is likely to be higher than it is once you are a full member.
Rewards & Benefits
There are many rewards you will gain from volunteering with the IMB, such as being part of a committed team. You will also gain transferable skills which will benefit both you and your employer.
Analytical skills
You will be using the evidence you gather from a lot of sources, triangulating the information and building up a picture.
Communicating
Your liaison with both staff and the prison population will develop your stakeholder management skills.
Working as a team
You will be working closely with the rest of your local Board to monitor conditions and treatment of individuals.
Expenses
Although this is an unpaid role, we pay travel and subsistence expenses.
Training and continuous development
During the first nine to twelve months of volunteering you will shadow experienced members of your assigned Board. You will also be allocated a mentor who will support you throughout your professional development.
Managing your time
From completing visits to writing reports, you will learn to balance your volunteering commitments with your other responsibilities.
Employers really value volunteers
Being a member of an Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) is recognised as a public duty under Article 78 of the Employment Rights (NI) Order 1996. Employers are obliged to allow employees reasonable time off for IMB duties under this provision. There are many reasons why employers encourage people to volunteer. Volunteering for the IMB can help boost job satisfaction and evidence that a company is more socially responsible.