INDEPENDENT CUSTODY VISITOR SCHEME
Volunteer as an Independent Custody Visitor
We are looking for new volunteers for the Independent Custody Visiting Scheme (ICVs), to play a crucial role in ensuring detainee welfare is prioritised for those in police custody and report back to the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) with their findings.
ICVs observe, comment and report on the rights of detainees, the health and welfare of the detainee and the conditions of the facilities of detention.
Volunteering provides an opportunity to offer reassurance to the community, detainees, and the police.
ICVs must be over 18 years old and because of the need to be independent, serving police officers and other serving members of the Policing and Reform Directorate within SYMCA, special constables, lay justices or members of the Police and Crime Panel cannot be ICVs.
Visits are made, in pairs, to Shepcote Lane Custody Suite in Sheffield, Doncaster Police Station and Barnsley Police Station and can be made at any time of the day or night. An ICV will usually be expected to make at least one visit a month.
The scheme is run by the Policing and Reform Directorate within SYMCA and sees members of the public provide a vital link between the community and police and help to maintain public confidence in the custody system.
Full training is provided, and travel expenses are reimbursed (please note, taxis are not included).
Why become an Independent Custody Visitor ?
The following accounts are provided by current volunteers (names have been changed) from the ICV scheme:
“The scheme was perfect for giving me an insight into the police service itself - even just learning the rank structure and who does what in custody was an eye opener.
“It gave me an increased level of confidence to be able to interact and deal with members of the public I perhaps would not have got elsewhere. I always left the custody suites feeling I had made a difference in some way.” – Joanne, Independent Custody Visitor.
"I was looking for volunteering opportunities that I could undertake whilst studying. I chose to become an ICV as it seemed like a unique opportunity to develop my skills and gain insight into the detention process in South Yorkshire.
“It is really important that there is independent oversight over detention facilities, to ensure that detainees are treated with respect and fairness throughout the custody process, which I am really glad to have been a part of.
“The scheme allows the freedom to arrange our own times with a fellow ICV and doesn’t require a set amount of hours weekly. Staff are supportive and approachable if you have any concerns. You are also partnered with a more experienced ICV in your first few months, which helps with the transition into custody visiting.” – Tom, Independent Custody Visitor.
