Well firstly, Happy New Year to you all! I hope that you have managed to have a safe and peaceful festive period. As I said in my blog last month, for another year, you have all stepped up to the plate, and more- protecting people’s rights and dignities, in incredibly difficult circumstances. I thank you, as […]

Well, what a year it has been! Independent Custody Visiting, like the rest of the world, has had to continue to respond to challenges brought about by the ever-developing picture regarding Covid-19. ICVA and the schemes we represent have had to continue to adapt to restrictions, health and safety measures and much more whilst still […]

Recently I was delighted to attend Surrey Police HQ to observe the new College of Policing Hydra training for officers going to work in custody suites. I had very limited understanding of what Hydra training was, and what it would look and feel like so was fascinated to go and see how this would work […]

ICVA Volunteers across the UK given opportunity to influence United Nations anti-torture committee report In 2019, the United Nations Committee responsible for the prevention of torture and ill-treatment in detention visited the UK for the first time in its history. This gave independent custody visitors and me the opportunity to show the UN delegation UK […]

This LGBTQ+ History Month, ICVA is delighted to be hosting a guest blog from an independent custody visitor from the Sussex scheme. This is, in particular, to celebrate Joanne’s OBE award and her services to transgender equality for detainees, please read on to hear from Joanne herself. FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT AND BEYOND David was […]