HMP Risley is looking for people to join its board to report if inmates are being treated fairly and humanely.

You could join the prison’s team of ‘ordinary people doing an extraordinary role’ by becoming an independent monitor in prisons and immigration detention.

All of the independent monitoring boards’ (IMBs) members are unpaid public appointees, appointed by ministers.

Once members receive their security clearance, they have unrestricted access to the prison and can talk to any prisoner they wish to, out of sight and hearing of staff  if necessary in order to monitor day-to-day activity across the establishment.

This provides an opportunity to report on whether individuals are being treated fairly and humanely and whether they are being given the support they need to turn their lives around.

The board is looking for people who live within 30 miles of the Risley site, as well as people who share its values and commitments and are keen to give back to their community.

It says those interested will need to:

Be a good listener

Always act with integrity

Be committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Be able to analyse observed events and behaviour

Make decisions and apply common sense

Work within a team

Be a good communicator

Have basic computer skills

And above all, it is looking for people with a ‘non-judgemental and open-minded approach’.

A spokesperson for the board said: “If this sounds like you then we would love to meet you.

“After an initial training period, you will be expected to commit to an average of two to three visits a month, which includes attendance at a monthly board meeting. 

“Although this is an unpaid role, we pay travel and subsistence expenses, childcare/carer costs and, in certain circumstances, contributions towards loss of earnings.”

Those interested can book onto a virtual opening evening on April 23 to find out more about the role and to hear from some of the board’s existing volunteers.

And to apply now, you can visit: https://imb.org.uk/prison-volunteer/