Volunteers needed at Leicester's overcrowded and 'no longer fit for purpose' prison
Calls have been made for more people to help monitor a struggling Leicestershire prison. Prisons up and down the country are inspected by a team of volunteers to ensure they are up to standard.
A recent visit to HMP Leicester by the local independent monitoring board (IMB) threw up a number of concerns and resulted in the team branding the ageing prison “no longer fit for purpose” and in need of “considerable investment to bring it up to an acceptable standard”. The inspection also revealed increasing incidents of violence and self-harm and high levels of drug use there.
That report came as the first round of early release prisoners were freed from jails up and down the country this week to help deal with a national overcrowding “crisis”. Statistics showed HMP Leicester was among those currently overstretched when it comes to inmate numbers. Now, the IMB has said you could be part of the team holding prison bosses to account.
READ MORE: Leicestershire's overcrowded prisons laid bare in data amid Government capacity crisis
The board said it is “looking for people from every walk of life and background who believe in fair and humane treatment for everybody”. In addition to “observing and reporting on day-to-day life”, volunteers also talk to prisoners “who are worried or vulnerable or need help sorting out practical problems”, it added.
Trevor Worsfold, chair of the IMB at HMP Leicester, said: “Many people wonder what life is really like inside a prison. The high walls of Leicester prison obscure the reality of day-to-day prison life, and most people are unaware of what goes on.
“As a member of an Independent Monitoring Board, I see my role as shining a light on what prisoners experience, ensuring that they are treated appropriately and given opportunities to change.” Anyone interested can find more information about the role and how to apply on the IMB’s website.