See current opportunities to volunteer near Cambridge, Norwich, Ipswich and across Essex and Suffolk.
What you need to be an IMB volunteer
Be over 18 years of age.
Live within 30 miles of the prison or immigration detention facility or a reasonable distance for travel.
Commit to around 2 – 3 visits a month (sometimes more during the induction period) and regular attendance at monthly board meetings.
You do not need any special qualifications or experience. We provide all necessary training and support.
Bedfordshire volunteer opportunities
HMP/YOI Bedford
Type: male, category B
Location: Bedford, MK40 1HG
Accessibility: local car park, public transport and access by foot available
HMP/YOI Bedford is a category B reception and resettlement prison for men aged 18 and over.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP/YOI Bedford.
We are not currently recruiting at this location. Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.
Cambridgeshire volunteer opportunities
HMP Littlehey
Type: male, category C
Location: Huntingdon, PE28 0SR
Accessibility: access by car is essential
HMP Littlehey is a category C training prison for adult males who have been convicted of sexual offences.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP Littlehey.
We are not currently recruiting at this location. Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.
HMP Peterborough
Type: male/female, category B/C
Location: Peterborough, PE3 7PD
Accessibility: visitor car park, public transport and access by foot available
HMP Peterborough is the only dual-purpose prison in England. It consists of a category B local prison for adult males and a closed prison for women over the age of 18. It is a privately operated prison, currently run by Sodexo.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP Peterborough.
We are not currently recruiting at this location. Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.
HMP Whitemoor
Type: male, category A
Location: March, PE15 0PR
Accessibility: access by car is essential
HMP Whitemoor is a category A high security prison for men over the age of 18. Provision includes the Fens unit for those with a diagnosed personality disorder undergoing psychological treatment, and a psychologically informed planned environment (PIPE) unit.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP Whitemoor.
We are not currently recruiting at this location. Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.
Essex volunteer opportunities
HMP/YOI Chelmsford
Type: male, category B
Location: Chelmsford, CM2 6LQ
Accessibility: local car parking, public transport and access by foot available
HMP/YOI Chelmsford is a category B local prison for men over the age of 18.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP/YOI Chelmsford.
We are not currently recruiting at this location. Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.
Hertfordshire volunteer opportunities
HMP The Mount
Type: male, category C
Location: Bovingdon, HP3 0NZ
Accessibility: visitor car park and public transport available.
HMP The Mount is a category C training and resettlement prison for men over the age of 18.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP The Mount.
We are not currently recruiting at this location. Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.
Norfolk volunteer opportunities
HMP Bure
Type: male, category C
Location: Norfolk, NR10 5GB
Accessibility: visitors car park and public transport available
HMP Bure is a category C prison for adult males who have been convicted of sexual offences.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP Bure.
We are not currently recruiting at this location. Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.
HMP/YOI Norwich
Type: male, category B/C
Location: Norwich, NR1 4LU
Accessibility: visitor parking, public transport and access by foot available
HMP/YOI Norwich is a category B/C prison for male adult and young offenders. HMP/YOI Norwich is the only prison in England and Wales that has a unit specifically for elderly male prisoners.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP Norwich.
We are not currently recruiting at this location. Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.
HMP Wayland
Type: male, category C
Location: Thetford, IP25 6RL
Accessibility: access by car is essential
HMP Wayland is a category C training prison for men over the age of 18.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP Wayland.
We are not currently recruiting at this location. Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.
Suffolk volunteer opportunities
HMP Highpoint
Type: male, category C
Location: Newmarket, CB8 9YG
Accessibility: visitor car park, limited public transport options
HMP Highpoint is a category C training and resettlement prison for adult males.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP Highpoint.
We are not currently recruiting at this location. Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.
HMP/YOI Hollesley Bay
Type: male, category D
Location: Woodbridge, IP12 3JW
Accessibility: visitors car park available.
HMP/YOI Hollesley Bay is a category D open prison and young offender institution for men over the age of 18.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP/YOI Hollesley Bay.
We are not currently recruiting at this location. Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.
HMP Warren Hill
Type: male, category C
Location: Woodbridge, IP12 3BF
Accessibility: access by car is essential
HMP Warren Hill is a category C prison for men over the age of 18. It provides for three cohorts of prisoners: a therapeutic community, a psychologically informed planned environment (PIPE) and a progression regime for those who have failed, or are deemed unsuitable for placement in, open conditions.
Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP Warren Hill.
We are not currently recruiting at this location. Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.