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Independent Prisoner Visitor Scheme

The Independent Prison Visitor Scheme commenced in 1986. Its stated purpose is to provide a system of independent advice to the Minister for Corrections with respect to the operation of Victoria’s prison system. The Minister for Corrections appoints the Independent Prison Visitor under Section 35 of the Corrections Act 1986 to a specific prison on the recommendation of the Office of Correctional Services Review.

The primary role of an Independent Prison Visitor is to provide the Minister for Corrections with independent objective advice on the operations of the prison from the perspective of an independent, community observer. They are required to visit prisons and through the regular observation of prison routines refer and report any issues, concerns or any positive initiatives back to the Minister.

The Independent Prison Visitor do not act as advocates on behalf of prisoners, staff or visitors to the prison. The role is to observe prison routines and to be available to prisoners, staff and visitors to the prison to listen to their concerns, in particular those issues relating to the management and operation of the prison.

Condition of appointment

All applicants will be required to disclose any criminal offence history or any current, past personal or professional connection to prisons, the criminal justice system and justice related community groups and programs. Appointments are subject to a satisfactory police criminal record and fingerprint check and Prison Security Check.

Prison Management has the authority to accept or deem unsuitable volunteer candidates who do not satisfy the prison’s internal security check. This assessment and decision will be undertaken in consultation with the OCSR.

All applicants must declare any conflict of interest to help maintain community trust and confidence in the IPV Scheme. A conflict of interest can be actual, potential or perceived. This relates to circumstances where the volunteer is or could be directly influenced or where it is perceived the volunteer might be influenced. 

Successful applicants will be required to enter into a formal volunteer agreement and agree to abide by the Terms and Conditions of Appointment.

Applications

Vacancies are advertised in the relevant local newspaper. Interested applicants should respond to these advertisements by requesting an Information Pack, which includes the recruitment and selection process, position description, application form and information about the Scheme. The Office of Correctional Services Review staff will interview short-listed applicants and make recommendations to the Minister.

Potential applicants can complete the Expression of Interest form to register their interest for future vacancies For further details please contact Laura Simmons on 03 9947 1640 or email laura.simmons@justice.vic.gov.au.