What is Custody Visiting?
Independent Custody Visiting (previously known as lay visiting) is a well established system where trained volunteers attend police stations to check on the treatment of detainees and the conditions in which they are held and that their rights and entitlements are being correctly observed. With effect from 1 April 2003 custody visiting was given a statutory footin
Why is the Scheme Important?
Independent custody visiting offers protections to both detainees and the police and reassurance to the community at large. It independently checks on the welfare of detainees at a time when they may be feeling vulnerable or confused. Any comments are sent to the Police Authority and serious complaints are investigated by the police professional standards and legal services department. Matters of a relatively minor nature may be resolved at the time by the Independent Custody Visitor.
Who can become a Visitor?
Visitors come from all sections of the community. As a police authority we seek to ensure that the overall set of independent custody visitors is representative of the local community and provides a suitable balance in terms of age, gender and ethnicity. No special skills are required as suitable training will be available but you should be a good listener, non-judgemental and unprejudiced. You should be able to make informed judgements in which the community can have confidence and which the police will accept as fair criticism when it is justified.
Due to a potential conflict of interest serving police officers and other serving members of police or police authority staff will not be eligible to serve as independent custody visitors. The same reasoning applies to special constables, justices of the peace and members of the police authority.
How much of my time would it take up?
Visits are generally made in pairs and at a time convenient to the visitor. Visits to police stations are unannounced and the length of each visit depends on how many people are in custody at the time and how many the visitor wishes to see. As well as the visits, an annual seminar is held for independent custody visitors which provides the opportunity for all visitors to meet and learn more about this important area of the police authority's work.
At the end of each visit the custody visitor will complete a report, each will keep a copy for their own records and copies are forwarded to both the police authority and the officer in charge of the station. A copy is also kept in the cell block. Reports rarely make adverse comments on the welfare of detainees, however they are often instrumental in bringing about improvements in accomodation and facilities in police stations.
Results of Custody Visitor Scheme
To view the schedule of Custody Visits undertaken in the current year please open the attachment:
Visit details 5 August 2008.pdf (2 pages, 67kb)
If you would like to find out more about becoming an Independent Custody Visitor please contact us.
You can find out more about Durham Police Authority's Independent Custody Visiting Scheme or visit the website of the Independent Custody Visiting Association.
