Reform of Independent Custody Visiting Scheme

Report: 10
Date: 1 September 2005
By: the Chief Executive and Clerk

Summary

This report describes the progress made with the implementation of the reform of the London Independent Custody Visitors (ICV ) Scheme since June 2005.

A. Recommendation

That members note the progress made to date on the implementation of the review of the ICV Scheme.

B. Supporting information

Background

1. The ICV Programme Board at their first meeting, on 16 June 2005, approved a programme of work for reforming the London ICV Scheme. The programme of work is now being implemented and this paper reports on progress since that time. The full progress report is attached to this paper as Appendix 1. Selected highlights are given below.

Progress highlights

2. The database of all London Independent Custody Visitors is operational and 50% of current visitors will have their details on the database by 1 September 2005. The significance of this is that it paves the way for more effective oversight of the local panels. Specifically, it is a crucial step towards being able to monitor their diversity and to tracking their recruitment and training needs.

3. Substantial agreement has been reached, after a two-year backlog, over the levels of vetting required for ICVs. This will resolve a number of outstanding difficulties regarding accreditation of ICVs and their access to police stations.

4. Appointments have been made to the three scheme management posts at the centre. The new people should all be in post by November (security clearance permitting) and this will speed up the pace of reform, after an induction period for the new staff.

5. Substantial progress has been made in agreeing protocols for custody visiting in special situations, such as deaths in custody, mobile custody suites and detainees held under anti-terrorism laws. This means that the standards of custody visiting will be raised even higher, with benefits to the community and the police alike.

6. Recruitment and retention issues are being addressed. Tenure rules and age limits have been reviewed, and confirmation has been given that ICVs may visit outside their home areas (subject to the agreement of the host Panel). These measures should ease the problem of inadequate enrolment faced by some Panels.

7. Training in chairing skills has been provided for some ICVP chairs, and has been well received. More training is planned for those who could not make the first round of training sessions, and the training will be offered to all ICVs – to encourage the next generation of panel chairs.

C. Race and equality impact

The activities of the ICV Panels are identified within the MPA Race Equality Scheme. There is therefore an ongoing responsibility to ensure that they undertake their activities in ways that meet the general and specific duties of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act.

The creation of the Visitor database paves the way for a systematic review of the diversity of the ICV Panels at both the Borough and pan-London levels.

D. Financial implications

The costs of the three new posts, and other expenses associated with the work described in this report, are contained within the overall budget for the ICV Scheme.

E. Background papers

• Appendix 1: 4th progress report on the ICV Review implementation programme.

F. Contact details

Report author: John May, Community Engagement Unit, MPA.

For more information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

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