InterSector Article – September 2007 edition

They rarely meet, but these ‘ordinary’ people all have one thing in common. They are Independent Visitors giving up their time to make a difference to people who are spending time in prison or juvenile detention. Last month they had the chance to come together at an annual forum.

Volunteer Independent Visitors (IV's) are managed by the Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services (OICS) created in June 2000 to bring independent scrutiny to the standards of operation in prisons and juvenile detention centres and which has statutory autonomy and direct access to Parliament.

Every few months a visitor will attend their allocated prison or detention centre to listen to prisoners, prison officers, juvenile detainees, and juvenile custodial officers talk about their concerns or hear their comments.  They give information about support services, record complaints, and speak to the facility's management team on behalf of prisoners or juveniles who may need assistance.

Manager  Community Relations, Diane Broadby, says the information provided by the visitors contributes to the ongoing work of the Inspectorate by providing fresh input on how each of the custodial facilities in the state is performing and identifying problem areas. 

"Gathering inspection staff and volunteers together at an annual forum gives  the Inspector's Office the opportunity to offer support, assistance and further develop the skills of its volunteers.

"Volunteers in this Scheme visit prisons, work camps and juvenile detention centres across the state, each doing a very similar role no matter where they visit. The forum provides the opportunity for them to come together, meet, share their experience of the role and problem-solve together with the assistance of the Inspector and his staff who also attend," she said.

"Most visitors visit their facility on their own, so joining with others at the forum gives them a sense of belonging to a team with similar objectives in terms of their desire to positively contribute to the community and assist marginalised groups.

"The forum also gives staff and the volunteers the opportunity to associate 'in the flesh'. Telephone contact during the year is regular but in-person contact has been shown to further strengthen relationships."

Independent visitors are appointed by the Minister for Corrective Services  for a period of two years after which  they can nominate for re-appointment.  One volunteer who continues to come back to make a difference is Eddie Rochester from the Eastern Goldfields.

Eddie has been a visitor to Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison since 1983. He was invited by the Minister of the day to be one of the ‘ordinary people’ allowed into the prisons to talk with and listen to prisoners. He sees it as a way to help people back into the community.

"The concept of prisons before I started was that prisons were there to punish. A lot of people today going to prison, they have to and there’s no doubt they do deserve to. But there are a lot of things available to prisoners to help them out, to turn their life around like education centres in prisons. They are allowed out in the community in work groups and this can make a difference to how they see their future. They will want to change," he said.

"You get the feeling that you are wanted by the prisoners because they know who you are, they get to know you and they will talk to you. Occasionally you’ll get a prisoner who doesn’t wish to talk to the officers or anyone. And it can be something simple. You go away with it and shortly it’s resolved.

"If they go in there and come out the same way, then nothing has been achieved."

The Office of the Inspector recognises the support needed by the families and communities from which prisoners and juvenile detainees come. The role of the Visitors is part of a process which aims to improve public confidence in the justice system and reduce re-offending.

As the Community Liaison Officer at the Inspectorate, Joseph Wallam engages with the volunteers, sometimes accompanies them on visits, assists the inspection staff, ensures Aboriginal cultural perspectives are considered, and liaises with communities and families, talking with them about the effects when a family member ends up in prison. 

"The beauty of this day with the IVs is we get to meet our volunteers and hear about prisoners' and juveniles' issues as well as hear how we can help the visitors to connect even better with the people they see. Through their reporting we can identify where things need to improve so that custodial places are about rehabilitating and making people come back into the community better.

"In prisons you find white fellers, black fellers and people from non-English speaking backgrounds. The volunteers connect with them and bring to this Office news of any systemic issues."

For Richard Harding, who is the first Inspector of Custodial Services appointed in Western Australia, the value of Independent Visitors cannot be overstated.

"Our volunteers make a significant and positive contribution. They are admirable people and we choose them very carefully. They help ensure prisons become places that stop the offending cycle rather than act as a warehouse until release. It’s not every body’s cup of tea but it is a rewarding experience for those who take it on."

For more information on the Independent Visitors Scheme
http://www.custodialinspector.wa.gov.au/go/independent-visitors-scheme