What does being a board member involve?
Few forms of voluntary service are
more unusual than the work done by members of
Independent Monitoring Boards - and few are more
rewarding. The work can be both challenging and
demanding, but always worthwhile.
This section explains what Board
members do and what qualities they possess.
Board members monitor the day to day
life in a particular prison or immigration removal
centre. They visit the establishment on a regular basis,
often unannounced, and talk to the prisoners or
detainees and staff. Members monitor the state of the
establishment, hear the complaints and requests of
prisoners and detainees, and report concerns if
necessary.
Boards also meet on a regular basis,
usually once per month, and, if something serious
happens, may be called to the establishment at any time,
day or night, to monitor or observe the situation.
In addition each Board submits an
annual report to the Home Secretary concerning the state
of the establishment, its general efficiency, the
treatment or prisoners or detainees and whether its
resources appear to be being used responsibly and
economically, including any suggestions and advice
considered appropriate. The annual reports of Boards are
valued for the independent view they give of the life in
their establishments.
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You do not need any special
qualifications to become a member of an Independent
Monitoring Board. We will give you all the training you
need. However, what you will need is the interest,
energy and enthusiasm to make a full contribution to
Board work.
Board members, regardless of age,
should possess the following qualities:
- integrity
- fairness
- perseverance
- common sense
- commitment to diversity, equality and human rights
- a willingness to take responsibility and to
challenge the status quo
Much of the work involves talking to
prisoners or detainees and staff, so being a good
listener with plenty of common sense and tact, plus the
ability to communicate effectively with people from all
backgrounds and cultures, is essential. Board members
work as part of a team, however they may be required to
visit parts of the establishment on their own, which
requires a certain level of confidence.
Members of Independent Monitoring
Boards are recruited from all sections of the community
and come from all walks of life. We welcome applications
from members of minority ethnic communities and aim to
recruit equal numbers of men and women. Physical
disability is a bar to appointment only if it would
prevent the applicant from carrying out satisfactorily
the duties of a Board member. Members should ideally
live within a 20-mile radius of the establishment to
which they are appointed.
The role of Board member takes up, on
average, a time equivalent of around four half days per
month (although this can vary depending upon the
individual Board and establishment). Board members in
employment are entitled to reasonable time off
to perform their duties under the
Employment Rights Act 1996.
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Being a member of an Independent
Monitoring Board can be demanding, challenging and time
consuming but, above all, it will be rewarding. You will
be doing something special, helping prisoners or
detainees and staff in a way that nobody else can, and
they will depend on you to give them an independent
voice.
Here are just some of the reasons
current members have given us explaining why they joined
an Independent Monitoring Board and what they feel they
get out of it:
‘I joined because my job (in a job
centre) brought me into contact with a lot of former
prisoners and I wanted to know more about their life
experience.’
‘I wanted to do something for the
local community and was specifically interested in an
opportunity to ensure that immigration detainees were
being treated fairly.’
‘Being a magistrate I do have to
send offenders to prison from time to time. I was
therefore very interested in finding out how prisoners
are treated after sentencing and I thought the best way
would be to join an Independent Monitoring Board.’
‘My husband died five years ago and
eighteen months on from then I was looking to do
something that was quite different from the life we had
led together. I answered an advert in the local press
for new members for the IMB at my local prison. I was
interviewed and the rest is history.’
‘Being a member of an IMB satisfies
a sense of social duty. It is an opportunity to use old
skills and to develop new ones - a chance to be
positive in a neglected field.’
‘I was keen to serve the community
in a voluntary capacity in an activity that involved
considerable variety and a "hands on"
involvement.’
‘One of the most heartening
experiences was when a woman in her fifties came to us
who could not read or write but during her time in the
prison attained her NVQ in catering, the first
qualification she had ever received; how she grew in
stature. That's one of the reasons I enjoy Board work
- being there at times like that.’
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