Appeal for Manx prison visitors

The board members visit the prison once a week on a rota

Prison visitors are needed in the Isle of Man.

The Independent Monitoring Board ensures that prisoners' rights are being upheld in terms of their treatment, accommodation and care.

Members of the IMB, formerly known as the Board of Visitors, tour the prison at Jurby regularly and listen to inmates' concerns.

New recruits are needed for the board, which meets once a month to discuss its findings.

The board used to comprise solely of magistrates, but now includes people from a variety of backgrounds.

'Life experience'

No formal qualifications are required, but prospective new members should have good "life experience" and the time and energy to devote to monthly meetings and prison visits.

IMB chairman Elaine Christian JP, said: "This is an opportunity for people to make an active contribution to the island's prison service.

"We work hard to gain the trust of prisoners and ensure they are well cared for and have the appropriate access to education, exercise and healthcare.

"We can go anywhere in the prison and look at any aspect of prison life to check that everything is running properly."

Two members of the IMB attend Jurby prison each week on a rota and inspect police holding cells and the custody suite at the courthouse once a month.