Volunteers wanted to help monitor life inside a Hull prison
‘HUGELY REWARDING’ VOLUNTEER SCHEME
A “hugely rewarding” volunteer opportunity has arisen that involves monitoring day-to-day life in Hull Prison.
Whatever your background, if you are enthusiastic and open minded, have good people skills and sound judgement, then you could be exactly what the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) at HMP Hull is looking for.
Inside every prison, there is an IMB made up of members of the public from all walks of life.
HMP Hull IMB is now hoping to expand its team and is currently recruiting people who care about the fair and humane treatment of prisoners and the state of prisons.
David Gillyon-powell, chair of HMP Hull IMB, said: “This is a hugely interesting and rewarding volunteer opportunity to help make sure that prisoners are being treated humanely and given the chance to change their lives, for their benefit and ours.
“Our role is to ensure that proper standards of care and decency are maintained, by monitoring the day-to-day life in a prison.
“You could be talking to prisoners, checking they are being given access to healthcare and training, or observing how well those at risk of self-harm are treated.
“You will also play an important role in dealing with problems faced by prisoners, which could range from lost property to serious bullying allegations.
“This is an unpaid voluntary role, but expenses are covered.
“You do not need any special qualifications or experience, as we provide mentoring, alongside training and support.
“You will usually need to give a couple of days or half days per month, but we can be flexible.”
Successful candidates will
undergo vetting that can take a number of months, before being formally appointed by a minister in line with the Government’s public appointments process.
Mr Gillyon-powell said: “We would like to hear from anybody who is 18-plus and lives within about 25 miles of Hull Prison.
“We are particularly keen to hear from young people, those from minority ethnic backgrounds, and those with disabilities, since these groups are under-represented on the existing board.”
If you are interested in volunteering, please visit www.imb.org.uk to apply with the campaign reference 1261/ Hull/2022.
HMP Hull is a Category B adult male local prison accommodating about 1,000 prisoners, including some who are held on remand.