YEOVIL NEWS: Volunteers needed to visit prisoners in custody

THE Police and Crime Commissioner, Sue Mountstevens, is recruiting volunteers to visit the cells at Yeovil Police Station and make sure that prisoners are being properly dealt with.

Independent custody visiting is a vital part of the work of the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner in ensuring the police service is open and accountable to the people it serves.

Avon and Somerset currently has vacancies for police custody visitor volunteers and recruiting in Yeovil, Bridgwater, Patchway and Keynsham.

PHOTO - ABOVE: Sue Mountstevens - Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset.

A spokesman for the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office told the Yeovil Press: “It is the well-established system whereby volunteers visit police stations to check on the detainees in custody, the conditions in which they are held and that their rights and entitlements are being observed.

“This offers protection to both detainees and the police and allows members of the public a real insight into conditions in custody.

“The statutory responsibility for the delivery of independent custody visiting has transferred from police authorities to Police and Crime Commissioners in consultation with Chief Constables.”

The vast majority of the public will never see the inside of a police cell. The facilities offered are basic and are designed to hold people securely and safely for a short time to enable an investigation to take place - for most people less than six hours.

The spokesman added: “Custody visitors meet with detained people to ensure that they have been offered their legal entitlements whilst also checking on their welfare.”

If you are interested and would like to apply to become an independent custody visitor, please click on this link www.avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk for more details.

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