*Closes 18th February*

Inside every prison, short-term holding facility and immigration removal centre is an Independent Monitoring Board (IMB). IMBs are made up of members of the local community to the establishment where they are appointed, who are tasked to monitor the fair and humane treatment of people and that proper standards of decency are maintained.

We are currently recruiting volunteers across the country and are keen to increase membership diversity, especially from under-represented groups such as young people, those of working age and individuals from minoritised groups.

Appointment description

As an IMB member you will have unrestricted access to the establishment you monitor and to everything that happens within them, including meetings, activities and records. Your observations and insights will provide evidence on what is actually happening rather than what is supposed to be happening.

You will monitor what happens to prisoners or people in immigration detention who are segregated or separated from others. You may also be called in to observe serious incidents and record the way in which the situation is handled. Your observations are shared with the prison or immigration detention facility’s management team.

You will be able to communicate with any prisoner or detained person you wish to, out of sight or hearing from staff, so they can voice any concerns. These can be wide-ranging issues such as safety concerns, healthcare, their ability to access the programmes and activities they need, alleged discrimination, lost property, or access to visits from family or friends.

We currently have IMB vacancies across the country, and more details can be found on our website.

  • Independent Monitoring Board National 1303/2026
  • Number of vacancies x 50 (National)
  • Time commitment: Adhoc
  • Length of term: Up to 3 years with reappointment available up to a maximum tenure of 15 years.
  • Application deadline: 7pm om 28th January 2026

Essential criteria

To volunteer with us, you must:

  • be over 18 years old
  • commit to making around 2 to 3 visits a month (this is likely to be more during induction period)
    have the right to work in the UK
  • live close to your volunteering location, usually within 30 miles or a travel time of 45 minutes (this could be more in certain locations)
  • declare any potential conflicts of interest, for example any family connection with the prison or immigration detention facility, or business involvement in supplying a service to the establishment you are applying to
  • declare criminal records (although this won’t necessarily prevent you from becoming a volunteer)

If you have any concerns about a possible conflict, or you have a criminal record, please contact the IMB by email imbrecruitment@justice.gov.uk and we would be happy to discuss this with you.

Desirable criteria

You do not need any formal qualifications to be volunteer with the IMB.

There are some key qualities we look for in volunteers:

  • analysis and decision-making
  • commitment and perseverance
  • communication
  • equality, diversity and inclusion
  • integrity and independence
  • teamwork and development

You can find out more about these qualities in our guide to applying to the IMB.

How to apply:

You can read the full guidance to apply to be an IMB member Applicants can apply online via the IMB website

In exceptional circumstances a paper copy of the application may be available – please contact imbrecruitment@justice.gov.uk to discuss.

Please note that interviews take place via Zoom unless in-person interviews are required for reasonable adjustment purposes.

The whole appointments process usually takes around six months, although we try to ensure times are kept to a minimum and keep applicants informed throughout the process, as we understand that the wait can be frustrating.