Have you heard of Prison Visiting Committees? Most people haven’t but they’re a vital part of the Scottish justice system and they need you.

New members are required to ensure that Barlinnie, Low Moss and Shotts prisons are properly run, to the highest standards. North Lanarkshire Council needs people from all walks of life and of all ages to join the three visiting committees; you don’t need any particular experience, just an interest in the justice system.

The main job of a Prison Visiting Committee is to satisfy itself about the every day running of the prison and, in particular, the treatment of prisoners. Committee members visit the prison fortnightly to make sure that the prison is being properly run and that staff carry out their functions effectively. Prison Visiting Committees also hear complaints or requests from individual prisoners on matters like cell allocation, visits procedures, access to work, bullying and health services.

Councillor Gerry McElroy has also been a prison visitor for nineteen years and is currently Clerk to the Barlinnie Prison Visiting Committee. He stresses the important role prison visitors play, saying:

"A lot of people think that prison visiting is something like hospital visiting. This isn’t the case. A prison visitor doesn’t perform a counselling or welfare function. Instead, it’s their job to look into the general treatment of prisoners, the conditions of their confinement, the types of punishments imposed, the quality of the food and drink and, generally, the state and administration of the prison including the accommodation. In addition members are available to respond to prisoner requests."

Vince Murray, a member of Shotts Visiting Committee for 10 years, explains more about what is involved:

"Visiting Committees are part of the democratic process. Prisoners lose many of their rights as part of their punishment of being in prison, but they still have the right to talk freely and in confidence to an independent person about any concerns they might have. Above all, you need to be a good listener as you are talking one-to-one with prisoners but you also need to be patient and resourceful.

"Being a prison visitor is a responsible role – we have the right to speak to anyone, ask any questions and see anything within the prison. We also have a duty to the prisoners to listen and give an honest evaluation of their situation. So it is a challenging job but it is a necessary to the democratic operation of the prison."

Charles Hebenton, Chairman of the Shotts Visiting Committee and a member of the committee for 18 years, said:

"It is important that our prisons are well run, from the point of view of staff, prisoners and the general public. Prisons are there to punish and rehabilitate prisoners and they contribute to the safety of our communities and help reduce reoffending. To support the work of prison staff, the government established Prison Visiting Committees as independent bodies that contribute to the general management of prisons. We are looking for people, like you, who are prepared to commit time and effort to a job that is demanding but very rewarding."

Anyone who is interested in joining a Prison Visiting Committee will be asked to complete an application form and attend an interview. If you are successful, you will be invited to attend a tour of a prison and a Disclosure Scotland check would be carried out.

If you are interested in being considered for membership of one of the three Prison Visiting Committees, please either write to the Director of Administration, North Lanarkshire Council, PO Box 14, Civic Centre, Motherwell ML1 1TW or telephone 01698 302434 by 1 December 2006.