Volunteering in the criminal justice system
In Devon and Cornwall there are thousands of volunteers who are crucial to the effective running of the Criminal Justice System. Volunteering opportunities are extensive; from giving emotional support through to a more practical involvement, all of which are a chance for the community to become involved in the administration of justice and rehabilitation of offenders.
Volunteers allow Police, Prisons, Her Majesty's Court Service, Crown Prosecution Service, Youth Offending Service and Victim Support an opportunity to utilise the extensive pools of skills, knowledge, experiences and expertise belonging to members of the public.
Benefits of being a volunteer include:
- Meeting new friends
- Boosting your CV and career options
- Building your confidence
Could you become a volunteer?
Find opportunities with:
Police
Victim Support
Youth Offending Service (YOS)
Her Majesty's Court Service (HMCS)
Probation
Her Majesty's Prisons (HMP)
Police
Specials
The Special Constabulary are part time volunteers and have the same powers as regular officers playing a crucial role in forging links between police and the local community. Recruitment is now open until 30th June 2010 only! Find out more
Police Volunteer Programme
As key members of Neighbourhood Policing Teams volunteers assist by: Supporting local neighborhood policing teams, being active in local Community Speedwatch initiatives, being a volunteer driver and assisting with local CCTV Monitoring. Find out more
Custody Visitors
Visitors are members of the local community, they visit police stations unannounced checking on the treatment of detainees, conditions they are held in and that their rights and entitlements are being observed. There are approximately 60 Independent Custody Visitors in Devon and Cornwall. Find out more
Custody Visitor open Days - Find Out More
Victim Support
Volunteers
There are currently over 6,500 volunteers nationally, giving help to both victims and witnesses in three main ways. Emotional support - helping people deal with effects of crime; Information - to help people make sense of the system and make the right choices and; Practical help - from filling in forms to improving home security.
Witness Service
Many people feel worried about going to court as a witness. Witness Service volunteers help witnesses to cope with going to court by giving them information and support.
Read more about volunteering with Victim Support
Youth Offending Service
Mentors
By acting as a positive role model, encouraging participation or simply listening, mentors provide an incredibly valuable service for some of the most vulnerable young people that we work with.
Appropriate Adult
Young people aged 16 and under who pass through police custody must be accompanied by a responsible adult, whose role is to ensure that their rights and welfare are upheld. Where a young person's parent or carer is unable to attend, the responsibility for filling this role falls to Youth Offending Service Volunteers.
Mediation Support
These mediations bring the parties into a space where they experience a new kind of openness and respect. Young people value the opportunity to be heard without interruption and agreements are usually reached ‘to put right’ some of the harm caused. Youth Courts have hailed the work done by volunteers as ‘best practice’.
Prevention Team Support
Volunteers work with young people at risk of offending, to reduce the likelihood of them becoming involved in criminal or anti-social behaviour. To do this they run a range of exciting activities, from sports sessions to health and beauty programmes.
Find out more about volunteering opportunities with Youth Offending Teams
Her Majesty's Court Service (HMCS)
Magistrates
These volunteers sit in local magistrates' courts dealing with a wide range of less serious criminal cases and civil matters. Some of their duties include determining if the defendant is guilty or not, passing the appropriate sentence, deciding on requests for remand or applications for bail and committing more serious cases to the Crown Court. Find out more
CASS
Community Advice and Support Service volunteers give support, advice and mentoring to offenders and their families. Their purpose is to reduce re-offending by increasing access to whatever community services are most appropriate to each offender e.g housing support.
Probation
Probation Volunteers
Volunteers help Probation staff with offender cases and group projects like Mentoring in the Community, providing support and advice to offenders. They also provide transport to help offenders in rural areas or who have mental or physical disabilities attend appointments.
If you want to volunteer with probation, or to find out more, contact the Volunteer Co-ordinator on 01752 827500
Her Majesty's Prisons (HMP)
Independent Monitoring Board
The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) members monitor the day-to-day life in their local prison or removal centre and ensure that proper standards of care and decency are maintained. Find out more
Prison Visitors
Volunteers who visit prisoners regardless of whether they have visits from family and friends. Volunteers listen in confidence and show respect to a prisoner being committed to visiting regularly, around 2 hours a month. Find out more
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