Code C- Independent Custody Visiting Flashcards
Q: Who are independent custody visitors (ICV’s)?
Members of the local community who volunteer to visit police stations unannounced, to check on the treatment and welfare of persons detained in police custody.
Local panels of custody visitors have evolved throughout the UK, as an important means of securing police accountability in the local communities they serve.
Q: What is the role of ICV’s?
ICV recommendations can require the police to make improvements for the welfare of detainees and can play a valuable role in maintaining public confidence in policing by ensuring detainees are treated well.
The current scheme permits ICV’s to have access to each police station in their area, examine records relating to the detention of persons and meet detainees to discuss their treatment and conditions of detention. Strict rules of confidentiality apply but for the safety of the ICVs, discussions with detainees are usually done in sight of a custody officer, but where they cannot hear the discussion.
Visitors will inspect facilities including cells, washing and toilet facilities and the facilities for providing food. Their subsequent reports can help secure improvements in detainee treatment, helping to give local communities confidence in their local police service and ensure compliance with both national and international rights on detainee’s welfare.
Q: When was the ICV Scheme introduced?
The ICV scheme was introduced in the 1980s following a recommendation in Lord Scarman’s report.
