Appointment competition launched for Independent Monitoring Board Members

The Department of Justice is seeking to appoint new members to the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB).

The IMB is an independent statutory body whose role is to monitor the treatment of prisoners and the conditions of their imprisonment. New members will be appointed to either Maghaberry Prison, Magilligan Prison or Hydebank Wood College and Woman’s Prison. 

The IMB is made up of unpaid volunteers from the community who fulfil their duties by carrying out regular visits to the prison establishments.  Members are initially appointed for a period of three years, with a possibility of re-appointment for a further two terms, up to a maximum of nine years. Members must reside in Northern Ireland to enable them to fully carry out the duties of this role.

We encourage people from all sections of the community to apply and would particularly welcome applicants from an ethnic minority background, those who have a disability and young people, as they are currently under represented on the IMB.

Applications close at Noon Thursday 17^th November 2022. 

WATCH: Find out more about what the role of an IMB member involves

Notes to editors: 

1. A candidate information pack and application form are available at the publication section of this website 
2. Copies are also available as follows:

E-mail

3. It is anticipated that Members will be appointed from April 2023.
4. The statutory role of the IMB is set out in full in Part 16 of the Prison and Young Offenders Centre Rules (Northern Ireland) 1995.
5. The IMB is a member organisation of the United Kingdom National Preventative Mechanism (UK NPM) as required by the Operational Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment (OPCAT).
6. IMB Members are volunteers and do not receive remuneration for time spent on IMB business. Reasonable travel and subsistence is payable at Northern Ireland Civil Service rates. Members must live in Northern Ireland.
7. Further details of the responsibilities and personal qualities required are contained in the Candidate Information Pack, which should be read in conjunction with the press advertisement.  The Candidate Information Pack and Application Form can be provided in alternative formats and applicants requiring assistance will be facilitated on request.
8. Applicants are required to undertake a familiarisation visit to a prison ahead of interview.
9. The Department of Justice is committed to the principles of public appointments based on merit with openness and transparency of process. The Department is committed to providing equality of opportunity for all applicants. Applications are welcomed regardless of age, gender, disability, marital status, religion, ethnic origin, political opinion, sexual orientation or whether or not you have dependants.  
10. We particularly welcome applications from ethnic minorities, people with a disability and young people, who are currently under-represented on the IMB.
11. Media enquiries should be directed to the Department of Justice Press Office via Email
12. Follow the department on Twitter @Justice_NI

13.  The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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