See what goes on inside Stafford prison

Here’s an offer you don’t see every day – the chance to see behind the doors of your local prison …

There is a group of volunteers in all UK prisons who monitor the day-to-day life there and ensure that proper standards of care and decency are maintained for prisoners. This group is called the IMB – Independent Monitoring Board. IMB members don’t need any special qualifications or experience; training and support are given, initially “on the job”. Applications are welcome from anyone over the age of 18 from absolutely all walks of life.

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Stafford Prison is a male, category C, training establishment which has only just reroled to full sex offender status; it is based in Victorian buildings in the town centre. The IMB here is a friendly team of 11 but we are hoping to recruit 5 new members. Members should be able to give at least 4 half days a month; this will include talking to prisoners/staff and attending the monthly board meeting. The role is unpaid but travel expenses are covered. If you are a confident “people person” and would relish an interesting, worthwhile and responsible job, then this could be right up your street. If successful, you would be would be appointed by the Ministry of Justice.

To find out more, please visit www.imb.gov.uk where you will also find an online application form for Stafford IMB. However, you may wish to chat to the IMB chair (Sally Osborne-Town) before going further, in which case, email sally.osbornetown @ gmail.com, giving a telephone number so that she can contact you.