CHANNINGS Wood prison is looking for volunteers to join its Independent Monitoring Board.

Each prison has an IMB made up of volunteers from across the community whose role is to visit prisons regularly to ensure people in custody are in a safe environment, being treated fairly and decently and adequately prepared for release.

The Channings Wood board is looking for new members from the local community to join.

HMP Channings Wood is a Category C training and resettlement prison for adult men, located at Denbury.

This classification means it holds offenders who present a moderate risk, and it focuses on providing them with education and training opportunities to aid their rehabilitation before they are released back into the community.

IMB members are unpaid public appointees who report on whether prisoners are being treated fairly and humanely and whether they are being given the support they need to turn their lives around.

The time commitment can vary but averages two to three visits to the prison each month, plus a monthly board meeting.

A spokesman for Channings Wood IMB said: ‘If you are looking for a voluntary role that gives insight into a world that few people see you 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.

‘You will also need to work well within a team, be a good communicator and be computer literate.’

Volunteers must be over 18 and live within 30 miles HMP Channings Wood.

All necessary training and support will be provided during a 12-month induction and mentoring period.

Although this is an unpaid role, travel and subsistence expenses, childcare/carer costs are paid.

Anyone interested can go to www.imb.org.uk to register your interest or to apply. Alternatively, to learn more, email one of the current members for more information at [email protected]