The Justice Minister has praised the work of the Independent
Monitoring Board (IMB) for Northern Ireland as it seeks new
members.
IMB members are volunteers whose role is to monitor the treatment
of prisoners and the conditions of their imprisonment at the
three prison establishments within NI.
said: “IMB members are drawn
from all sections of the community. They are a group of ordinary
people doing an extraordinary job. The contribution of IMB
members makes a positive difference to the daily lives of
prisoners.
"IMB volunteers play a vital role in monitoring the treatment of
prisoners, the facilities available to them to allow them to make
purposeful use of their time, and the cleanliness and adequacy of
prison premises. If you are a good communicator, have the ability
to listen, are empathetic and able to work with a diverse range
of people, and have time on your hands, please consider applying
to join the IMB.”
There are vacancies on the Boards of all three prison
establishments: Magilligan Prison outside Limavady, Maghaberry
Prison near Lisburn, and Hydebank Wood College in South Belfast,
which caters for young offenders and women.
Appointed by the Justice Minister, Independent Monitoring Board
(IMB) members do not need any specific qualifications and
training will be provided for new members.
Find out more about what the role of an IMB member involves on
our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B2rWnCpes8
Further information and how to apply is available at https://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/publications/independent-monitoring-board-member-recruitment
Notes to editors:
- Copies are also available as follows:
E-mail:
imbrecruitment@justice-ni.gov.uk
By writing to: IMB Recruitment
Knockview Buildings
Block 3, Stormont
Belfast, BT4 3SG
- The closing date of the competition is Thursday 2nd April
2026. It is intended that prison familiarisation visits will take
place w/c 11th May 2026 and interviews will take place
w/c 18th May 2026
- Members are initially appointed for a period of three years,
with a possibility of re-appointment for a further two terms, up
to a maximum of nine years. Members must reside in Northern
Ireland.
- Applicants are required to undertake a familiarisation visit
to a prison ahead of interview. Following an interview,
successful members will be appointed once security clearance has
been completed.
- We encourage people from all sections of the community to
apply and would particularly welcome applicants from an ethnic
minority background, those who have a disability, and young
people.
- IMB Members are volunteers and do not receive remuneration
for their time spent on IMB business. Reasonable travel and
subsistence is payable at Northern Ireland Civil Service rates.
- The statutory role of the IMB is set out in
the Prison and Young Offenders
Centre Rules (Northern Ireland) 1995.
