Are you a good listener, non-judgmental, unprejudiced and impartial? Are you interested in the community and the welfare of people detained in police custody? The SPA is looking for volunteers across Scotland to become independent custody visitors.

The Authority has a statutory duty to manage Independent Custody Visiting Scotland (ICVS).

Independent custody visitors are members of the local community who visit police stations unannounced to check on the treatment of detainees, the conditions in which they are being held and that their rights and entitlements are being observed. We manage around 100 volunteer visitors across Scotland.

Meeting OPCAT requirements

ICVS helps ensure the Authority is meeting its obligations to ensure equality and diversity and we are protecting human rights. It also helps to ensure that Scotland is doing everything it can in its public services to meet international standards set by the United Nations in its Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).

Kirsty Scott, ICVS Manager said:

“We are looking for individuals from a variety of backgrounds and from a cross section of the community. No specialist skills are required as full training and support is given.”

Requirements

Volunteers need to be aged 18 or over with no direct involvement in the criminal justice system (serving police officers or special constables, Solicitors or probation officers are not eligible to prevent possible conflict of interests for the individual). This maintains the independence of the scheme as a whole.

You need to be a resident in the UK for a minimum of three years immediately prior to application.

Full details of how to apply can be found on the related content section below.