What is ICVA?
The Independent Custody Visiting Association is a voluntary organisation that promotes the custody visiting process nationally through advocacy, training, publicity and ongoing support to all involved in the process.
By providing a discussion forum on matters of mutual interest, the Association enables ideas and information exchange on relevant issues. Ultimately, it aims to assist the Home Office, police authorities and other interested bodies in the formulation of best practice for custody visiting schemes - increasing public awareness and understanding.
What is an independent custody visitor?
Independent custody visitors are members of the local community who visit police stations unannounced to check on the welfare of people in police custody. They come from a variety of backgrounds and sections of the community. They must be over 18 and have no direct involvement in the criminal justice system, for example, serving police officers or special constables. Other people such as solicitors or probation officers may be excluded, to prevent possible conflict of interests for the individual. This maintains the independence of the scheme as a whole.
How do I become a visitor?
Once a person has applied to their local police authority on a standard application form, suitable applicants will be invited to attend an interview to discuss their application and suitability further.
Any specific queries about recruitment should be directed to your local police authority.
All appropriate applications from members of the public are considered on their own merits. Click here for more information, including criteria for the role and application forms.
What training is involved?
The training programme is made up of practical and theoretical exercises covering all aspects of custody visiting and is complemented by the codes of practice and the basic principles of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE). All volunteers are issued with an official identity card which they must use when visiting. Further training sessions are arranged locally to keep independent custody visitors informed on new developments and to share experiences.
Newly appointed independent custody visitors complete a probationary period, and then appointments are usually made for a 3 year period, which may be renewable.
By the end of training you should be able to :
- Understand the development and context of independent custody visiting
- Identify the procedures within a visit and use any accompanying documents and forms
- Understand the role and responsibilities of those involved in the process
- Identify further sources of help and information to help you carry out your role effectively
Click here to find out more about training in your area.
Will I receive ongoing support?
Custody visitors have a constantly evolving role, subject to regular changes and developments. You will be made aware of these as you go along, with the opportunity for advice and support through local scheme administrators, police authorities and ICVA.
Will I have to visit detainees alone?
No, visiting is carried out in pairs at all times.
What about my own security during visits?
You will not carry out visits alone, but always be accompanied by another custody visitor and supervised by a custody officer in the police custody suite – an area constantly guarded with high security.
Do custody visitors operate throughout the UK?
Yes – we have teams operating throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
How do I find out about custody visiting in my area?
The best place to start is by contacting your local police authority. Contact details for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland can be found here.
Who is ultimately responsible for custody visiting?
Each police authority in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has a statutory responsibility for establishing visiting programmes. Whilst the process is not yet statutory in Scotland it has the support of every police authority/joint board and the Scottish Executive.
Will I have the chance to meet other custody visitors?
Yes, you will meet others during training, as you work and at regional meetings and conferences. ICVA also organises multi regional conferences which you will have the opportunity to attend.
What experience do I need to have to be a visitor?
Independent Custody Visitors are members of the public from your local area; they come from all walks of life and from all sections of the community because it is crucial that all people in our society are represented.
Whilst there are no formal qualification requirements for Independent Custody Visiting, in order to prevent any possible conflict of interests and to maintain the independence of this work, the following basic appointment considerations will apply:
Independent Custody Visitors -
- must be over 18
- must not be justices of the peace, serving police officers or civilian employees, members or staff from police authorities or special constables
- will not be appointed if appears to be a conflict of interest for people working in other areas of the criminal justice system; for example, solicitors and members of the probation service
- work as volunteers and only receive expenses incurred whilst carrying out their roles
- need to have a good understanding of the English - or Welsh, when appropriate - language as all the guidelines, reporting and recording procedures are written or spoken in English or Welsh
It should also be noted that having a criminal record or unspent convictions is not an automatic barrier to becoming a custody visitor. Once such a record is disclosed, the individual circumstances relating to an application will be assessed against the needs of the post and the suitability of the application.
Basically, all appropriate applications from members of the public are considered on their own merits.
Can I access the latest Codes of Practice?
You will normally be given a set by your police authority but if you have not they are available through our website.
Where can I find out more on topics relating to custody visiting?
Our own publications are a good place to start gathering a background to custody visiting – click here. If you begin work as a custody visitor, you will be kept up to date by your scheme administrator and local police authority. This website will of course remain a valuable source of up to date info – so keep an eye on it!