Make a difference in your community…
Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) are a key part of the justice system, making sure the rights of those in police custody are being maintained.
Going behind the scenes of police custody, ICVs get to see things that normal members of the public don’t.
Supported by the PCC John Campion, the amazing volunteers visit custody suites across West Mercia including Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.
The visits provide an independent check on the way in which detainees are held, in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 guidelines, and also help foster better public understanding and confidence in the way prisoners are treated.
If you would like an informal talk about the role, please contact the Scheme Coordinator.
How can I get involved?
To become a custody visitor, you need to be at least 18 years old and independent of the police. Serving police officers, police staff, special constables, for example, will not be considered.
“I wanted to show that someone from my background and culture could make a difference.” – Mark
“It’s a way of supporting detainees to ensure they are treated with dignity and respect.” – Sarah
“I feel valued, I can make a difference to detainees and I’m part of a great team.” – Anthony
“You come away feeling you have done something good in the community.” – Peter
To find out more about the scheme look at the Annual Report here.
For more information, please visit the Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA) website.
Apply now…
- To arrange custody visits with fellow custody visitors, in line with agreed schedules made by the Local Panel Co-ordinator.
- To keep the Local Panel Co-ordinator / Scheme Administrator and fellow custody
visitors informed of any problems with scheduled custody visits. - To carry out visits to designated custody suites in line with the scheme, ICVA
Custody Visiting Code of Practice and your training. - To check on the conditions in which detainees are kept, particularly regarding their
health, well-being, rights and entitlements, with reference to PACE Codes of Practice
Code C. This will include:
- Clarifying and checking any concerns raised by the detainee, consulting the custody record where appropriate.
- Discussing with the Custody staff any concerns and requests arising from the custody visit and bringing to the Custody Sergeants attention any matters requiring immediate attention.
- Completing the Independent Custody Visitor Report Form (either electronically or on paper), ensuring that relevant information is recorded correctly, clearly and concisely.
- To notify the Panel Co-ordinator of issues that need to be escalated and brought to the attention of the Scheme Administrator.
- To complete and submit expense claims in line with the scheme guidelines.
- To attend continuous professional development training events as requested by the scheme.
- To attend panel meetings of Independent Custody Visitors.
- To carry out the duties of an Independent Custody Visitor having due regard to the health and safety requirements of the Independent Custody Visiting Scheme.
- To notify the Panel Co-ordinator and the Scheme Administrator of any changes to your contact details as soon as practicable or any changes which may affect your ability to carry out your role impartially.
- Not to disclose details about any detainee you have spoken to, to any person, except those concerned with their detention.
- Not to disclose details of any person you have met in custody on social media, to the press or any other media outlet.
