The search is on for community-minded members of the public from different walks of life to take on a unique monitoring role to ensure the wellbeing and fair treatment of people held in secure facilities.
A new intake of lay members is needed for the Island’s two Independent Monitoring Boards (IMBs) which oversee the Island’s prison and the adolescent secure care home. The Prison IMB monitors day-to-day life at the prison in Jurby, the holding cells at the courts and the custody suite at Police Headquarters. The role of the Secure Care Home IMB is to ensure proper standards of care and decency are maintained for the young people living there.
Vacancies have also arisen on the Isle of Man Parole Committee, an independent body which assesses long-term prisoners eligible for early release. The committee makes recommendations to the Minister for Home Affairs, monitors those released under licence and considers the recall of offenders who fail to comply with their licence conditions.
The two IMBs and the Parole Committee are seeking members from across the community to join them, and anyone can apply. While no formal qualifications are required, applicants need to show they have the interest, commitment, energy and time to play a full part in the work of the organisations. The work involved is confidential and criminal record checks will be carried out on successful candidates, prior to appointment.
Minister at the Department of Home Affairs Bill Malarkey said:
‘We are very grateful for the commitment and dedication of lay members of the IMBs and Parole Committee. These independent bodies perform a vital public service and we are indebted to those prepared to give considerable time to fulfilling their responsibilities. The bodies are often said to have a watchdog role and their existence gives society reassurance that those held in our secure facilities are treated fairly, humanely and decently, and their views are listened to.'
He added:
’These are challenging roles and aside from attendance allowances and travel expenses, are unpaid. So anyone applying will have a strong drive to contribute their time and effort for the wider good. I know our members gain satisfaction and many rewards from their work, which includes regular visits to the facilities, to meet and listen to those who are held there. We’re keen to recruit members from different backgrounds across a wide age span, to reflect the community as broadly as possible. I’d encourage anyone interested to get in touch.’
In this YouTube video two current members of the Prison IMB talk about the responsibilities and rewards of their work, and what motivated them to get involved.
Two pop-up events have been planned in busy locations as part of the IMBs’ autumn recruitment drive. Potential recruits can find out about opportunities at a drop-in day at Ramsey town hall on Saturday 23 November and in the lobby area of the Sea Terminal, Douglas on Sunday 1 December, both stands operating from 10.30 am until 4pm. The events will be an opportunity for the public to find out more about the roles first-hand from existing members, ask questions about the recruitment process and pick up information.
More information about the Independent Monitoring Boards and the Parole Committee can be found online here
Picture: Bob Ringham & Andrew Cooper who appear in the youtube video
