Skip to content

Independent Monitoring Panelmaintaining standards of care in our prison

Photo courtesy of the Guernsey Press.

What does the Independent Monitoring Panel do?

Summary

The Independent Monitoring Panel makes visits to Guernsey Prison – either unannounced or on request from a prisoner or prison officer.

The Panel ensures that proper standards of care, decency and respect are maintained and raises any concerns.

Examples of prisoners’ issues include difficulties with family visits and complaints about the fabric of the building.

Responsibilities

You will be:

  • Visiting the prison unannounced to check accommodation, health care, education, and treatment of inmates.
  • Visiting prisoners at their request, investigating their issues and complaints and making sure they receive a response.
  • Attending as observers at routine prison meetings.
 

How do you get appointed?

Application process

From time to time, the Committee for Home Affairs advertises for new Independent Monitoring Panel Members to replace people who have stood down. There are ten panel members.

To apply, you will complete an application form and will be called for an interview if you get shortlisted.

You will be interviewed by the Chair of the Panel, the Deputy Chair and the Panel’s Secretary.

If successful, you will need to have a Basic Police Check. Your name will then be submitted by Home Affairs to the States of Deliberation for approval by Deputies.

What skills do you need?

You don’t need any formal qualifications to join the Panel. Members are appointed for the qualities and experience they can bring to the role from their own lives.

You’ll need tact, sensitivity and the ability to communicate with a wide range of individuals. The role would suit those driven by a sense of justice, fairness and human rights.

Knowledge of the criminal justice system and experience in undertaking risk assessments is desirable.

What support or training is there?

Support and training

Senior Panel members along with staff from across Home Affairs, will provide a comprehensive training programme for all new Panel Members.

Your training will mainly consist of shadowing experienced Panel Members on visits to introduce you to prison life and the role of the Panel within the prison.

What's the time commitment?

Time commitment

The total commitment is about four to five hours a month.

  • The Panel meets as a team on the first Tuesday of every 2nd month, from 5.30pm, for 2 hours or so.
  • Unannounced visits to the Prison take place monthly at any time of the day or night and last about two hours. Two members attend every unannounced visit.
  • Visits requested by prisoners happen at a time convenient to the Panel Member and the Prison. These take between 20 minutes and an hour depending on the issue raised. Requested visits are normally made by one member. New members are able to attend to observe until they are confident to act on their own.   
  • In addition, members are invited to observe internal Prison meetings. These take one to two hours.

Panel Members are appointed for a four year term which may be renewed.

Do you get paid?

Remuneration

There is no salary, it is a voluntary role to assist your community.

Limited expenses will be reimbursed.

Rewards and downsides

Rewards

You will be a voice for prisoners and prison officers, helping to ensure that both are treated fairly.

You will be working as part of a team to safeguard public trust and confidence in the prison service.

Downsides

Your role is not to ‘solve’ prisoner problems. You observe and report to ensure prisoners are treated fairly and in line with the policy and procedures in place.

Where can I find out more?

Main information

Go to gov.gg/IndependentMonitoringPanel for more information and to express an interest in joining.

Other sources

Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Panel 2022, as submitted to the States of Deliberation, gives a really good insight into the work of the Panel.

Guernsey Press article about the findings of the Independent Monitoring Panel.

ITV Channel TV article about recruitment to the Panel.

Download this information

To turn all of this information about the Independent Monitoring Panel into a PDF, click the ‘download info as PDF’ button at the bottom of this page.

Corrections

This description of the role of Independent Prison Monitor has been researched by Women in Public Life volunteers.  If you spot an error, or have a question, please do let us know by emailing hello@womeninpubliclife.gg.

Download info as PDF

What is Public Office?

Represent your community and make decisions on behalf of your island.

Thinking of standing?

We can help! Let us keep you informed, build your confidence and save you time.

Need help deciding?

If you're a bit daunted by the choice of roles, follow our guide to find the right one for you.

Guernsey’s iconic women of the future?

Thank you for nominating a young woman or girl for our future iconic Guernsey women campaign to celebrate International Women’s Day!

Nominations close on Sunday 6 March at 17.00.

Please fill in the details below.

miriam-makeba-SA

Miriam Makeba - South Africa

Nominated by: Christine James

Zenzile Miriam Makeba (1932 to 2008), nicknamed Mama Africa, was a South African singer, songwriter, actress, United Nations goodwill ambassador, and civil rights activist. Associated with musical genres including Afropop, jazz, and world music, she was an advocate against apartheid and white-minority government in South Africa. In 2020 she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 women of the century. 

South Africa is ranked 12th in the world for percentage of women in national parliament: 45.8% (source: data.ipu.org) 

Are you from South Africa? Please email hello@womeninpubliclife.gg if there is a social or cultural group for people from South Africa in Guernsey.

Want to learn more about public office vacancies in Guernsey? 

Sign up to our newsletter 

The original image “The Hague Jazz 2008 – Miriam Makeba” by Haags Uitburo is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. 

jacinda-adern-2

Jacinda Ardern - New Zealand

Nominated by: Martin Lock

Jacinda Ardern (born 1980) has served as prime minister of New Zealand and leader of the Labour Party since 2017. In 2019, she led the country through the aftermath of the Christchurch mosque shootings, rapidly introducing strict gun laws in response, and throughout 2020 she directed the country’s widely praised response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ardern was the world’s second elected head of government to give birth in office when her daughter was born in 2018. ‘An inspiring Prime Minister who brought a nation together with true leadership, empathy and compassion.’

New Zealand is ranked 4th in the world for percentage of women in national parliament: 48.3% (source: data.ipu.org) 

Other iconic women: Dame Whina Cooper, nominated by Claire Fisher, and Kate Sheppard, nominated by Anna Cooper.

Are you from New Zealand? You may be interested in joining the ANZACs in Guernsey Facebook group

Want to learn more about public office vacancies in Guernsey? 

Sign up to our newsletter