New members needed for Haringey Independent Custody Visitor Panel

I'm the current chair of Haringey Independent Custody Visitor Panel and thought it worth raising on HoL that the Panel is looking for more members and in particular is looking to get young people involved in its work. 

Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) are volunteers from the local community who make unannounced visits to police stations to check that people detained are being treated in accordance with their rights and entitlements, that their health and wellbeing is being considered, and that the conditions and facilities in which they are kept are of a good standard.

Panels were introduced in the 1980s to improve community confidence in the police.  Panels in London are managed and administered by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and so are completely independent of the police.  We do have a good relationship with Haringey police who welcome our visits.  The Panel meets with the police four times a year to discuss what has happened at visits, and policing issues in the borough.

Panel members are expected to make one visit each month and to attend the quarterly meeting.  Full training is provided by MOPAC.  Visits are always made in pairs so new members are always supported by more experienced visitors.  Visits can last any time from 20 minutes to two hours depending on how many people are in custody and what comes up - each visit is different. 

My own experience is that it is a worthwhile role.  Detainees are generally pleased to see visitors and to talk for a few minutes about their experience in custody (which I should say is almost always fine). When we need to take action it is usually on matters which are simple to arrange but which have a high impact on those affected.  Some examples of these are things like arranging for a blanket to be given, asking for a phone call to be made, or arranging for food or drink to be brought to someone who may be unaware of their rights or unable or unwilling to ask.  There are of course occasions when other more serious matters are raised but they are rare. 

At the moment there are two custody suites in Haringey where visits are made - Tottenham and Hornsey.  These will be closed in 2013 when a new purpose built custody centre is opened in Wood Green.

The official MOPAC information sheet and application form is attached.   ICV_Application_and_Monitoring_form_MOPC.doc

Applications must be made to MOPAC (which organises interviews and vetting) but I'll try and answer questions if anyone is interested in knowing more.