HMP Grampian volunteer visitors needed
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
VOLUNTEER prison visitors are being sought from the Aberdeenshire area.
A new Independent Prison Monitoring Scheme will come into place later this year.
It is hoped this will provide greater scrutiny of all Scotland’s prisons, including HMP Grampian at Peterhead.
Volunteers will go to prisons in their local communities on a regular basis, review the conditions and treatment of prisoners and investigate matters referred to them.
They will be able to visit the prisons at any time without prior notice during the day, evening, at weekends and occasionally at night, access any area of the facility and speak to any prisoners privately about any issue.
David Strang, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland, said: “They will play a key role in providing a system where improvements can be made to conditions in prisons and the treatment of prisoners, should they be needed.
“The role is challenging, yet rewarding, providing an independent viewpoint on the humane treatment and conditions for prisoners at the volunteers’ local prisons.”
Once in post, volunteers are likely to commit between 14 and 22 days a year including training and meetings.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should contact prisonmonitoring@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
