Police and Crime Commissioner (PCCs) elections will take place in England and Wales on Thursday 6 May 2021. The pre-election period for these elections will start some weeks before this. ICVA is an independent body, however, ICVA’s members are PCCs. We will therefore respect the pre-election period and will refrain from publishing new news pieces […]

Happy International Women’s Day March 8th marks International Women’s Day and we are delighted to share some videos with women working and volunteering in police custody. This year’s theme is #ChoosetoChallenge and Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) do just that. ICVs visit custody to talk to detainees and check on the rights, entitlements and wellbeing of […]

COVID-19 forced the criminal justice system, like all areas of life, to adapt. Police custody could not stop and so had to find ways to adapt working to reduce risk of transmission and keep staff, detainees and visitors as safe as possible. Independent custody visitors (ICVs) continued to monitor custody throughout the pandemic, whether through […]

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 […]

I remember October 2012 very well indeed. It was the month I collected an 8 week old Labrador puppy to take home to be a family pet. I’d never had a dog before and in truth was not completely sold on the idea but my daughter tactically (and emotionally!) outmanoeuvred me. My only real say […]