See current opportunities to volunteer near London, Brighton, Surrey and across South East England.
Buckinghamshire
London
Hampshire
Isle of Wight
Kent
Oxfordshire
Surrey
West Sussex
East Sussex
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.
Buckinghamshire volunteer opportunities
HMP/YOI Aylesbury
Type: YOI, moving to category C
Location: Aylesbury, HP20 1EH
Accessibility: visitor car park, public transport and access by foot available
HMP/YOI Aylesbury is a prison and young offender institution for adult males aged 21 to 27 and young men aged 18 to 20 serving long-term sentences.
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 Aylesbury.
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 Grendon / HMP Springhill
Type: male, category B and D
Location: Grendon Underwood, HP18 0TL
Accessibility: access by car is essential
HMP Grendon is a category B men’s prison which has been established as a therapeutic community for adult males serving long determinate or life sentences. It is jointly managed with HMP Springhill, an open category D prison offering men the opportunity to experience resettlement and full-time work.
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 Grendon / HMP Springhill.
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 Woodhill
Type: male, category B
Location: Milton Keynes, MK4 4DA
Accessibility: visitor car park and public transport available
HMP/YOI Woodhill is a men’s high security training prison and young offenders’ institution.
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 Woodhill.
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.
London
HMP Belmarsh
Type: male, category A
Location: Thamesmead, SE28 0EB
Accessibility: limited visitor parking, public transport and access by foot available
HMP Belmarsh is a local category A high security 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 in or near South East London and be within one hour travel time of HMP Belmarsh using their chosen mode of transport (car or public transport).
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 Brixton
Type: male, category C
Location: Brixton, SW2 5XF
Accessibility: no visitor parking, public transport and access by foot available
HMP Brixton is a category C resettlement prison for adult males. Provision includes the London Pathways Unit which provides treatment for prisoners with complex needs arising from pervasive psychological difficulties.
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 in South or South West London and be within one hour travel time of HMP Brixton using their chosen mode of transport (car or public transport).
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 Feltham
Type: male, young offenders
Location: London, TW13 4NP
Accessibility: limited visitor parking, public transport available
HMP/YOI Feltham is a young offender institution that holds young people aged 15-18 and young adults aged 18-21.
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 in or near South West London and be within one hour’s journey of HMP/YOI Feltham using their chosen mode of transport (car or public transport).
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 Isis
Type: YOI, male, category C
Location: Thamesmead, SE28 0NZ
Accessibility: visitor car park, public transport and access by foot available
HMP/YOI Isis is a category C training prison for young adult and adult male prisoners. In 2020 the prison began to implement The Young Adult Strategy and is now moving to become a prison for young adults between 18 and 21 years, and category C men up to 27 years.
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 in or near South East London and be within one hour travel time using their chosen mode of transport (car or public transport).
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 Pentonville
Type: male, category B
Location: Islington, N7 8TT
Accessibility: no visitor parking, public transport and access by foot available
HMP/YOI Pentonville is a category B local prison for young offenders and 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 in North or North West London and be within one hour travel time using their chosen mode of transport (car or public transport).
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 Thameside
Type: male, category B/C
Location: Thameside, SE28 0FJ
Accessibility: local parking, public transport and access by foot available
HMP Thameside is category B/C reception and resettlement prison for adult males. It is London’s only privately operated prison, currently run by Serco.
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 in or near South East London and be within one hour travel time using their chosen mode of transport (car or public transport).
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 Wandsworth
Type: male, category B
Location: London, SW18 3HU
Accessibility: public parking and public transport available
HMP Wandsworth is a category B 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 in or near South West London and be within one hour travel time from HMP Wandsworth using their chosen mode of transport (car or public transport).
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 Wormwood Scrubs
Type: male, category B
Location: London, W12 0AN
Accessibility: public parking, and public transport options available
HMP Wormwood Scrubs is a local category B 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 in or near West London and be within one hour travel time from HMP Wormwood Scrubs using their chosen mode of transport (car or public transport).
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.
Hampshire volunteer opportunities
HMP Winchester
Type: male, category B/C
Location: Winchester, SO22 5DF
Accessibility: visitor car park, public transport and access by foot available
HMP Winchester is a category B prison for adult males, with a separate category C unit. It has a high population of men being held on remand.
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 Winchester.
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.
Isle of Wight volunteer opportunities
HMP Isle of Wight
Type: male, category B
Location: Newport, PO30 5RS
Accessibility: access by car is essential
HMP Isle of Wight is a category B high-security prison for adult males. It predominantly holds men 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 Isle of Wight.
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.
Kent volunteer opportunities
HMYOI Cookham Wood
Type: male, young offenders
Location: Rochester, ME1 3LU
Accessibility: visitor car park
Please Note: HMPPS has announced that Young offenders from HMYOI Cookham Wood will be transferred and the site repurposed as an adult prison in the future.
HMYOI Cookham Wood is a young offender institution for young people aged between 15 and 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 HMYOI Cookham Wood.
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 East Sutton Park
Type: female, open
Location: Maidstone, ME17 3DF
Accessibility: visitor car park and public transport options available
HMP/YOI East Sutton Park is an open prison and young offender institution for women 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 East Sutton Park.
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 Elmley
Type: male, category B
Location: Isle of Sheppey, ME12 4DZ
Accessibility: visitor car park and limited public transport available
HMP Elmley is a category B local 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 Elmley.
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 Maidstone
Type: male, category C
Location: Maidstone, ME14 1UZ
Accessibility: local parking, public transport and access by foot available
HMP Maidstone is a category C prison for adult males, specifically foreign national 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 Maidstone.
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 Rochester
Type: male, category C
Location: Rochester, ME1 3QS
Accessibility: access by car only, visitor car park available
HMP/YOI Rochester is a category C resettlement 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 Rochester.
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 Standford Hill
Type: male, category D
Location: Isle of Sheppey, ME12 4AA
Accessibility: visitor car park and limited public transport available
HMP/YOI Standford Hill is a category D open resettlement 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 Standford 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.
HMP Swaleside
Type: male, category B
Location: Isle of Sheppey, ME12 4AX
Accessibility: visitor car park and limited public transport available
HMP Swaleside is a high-security category B training 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 Swaleside.
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.
Oxfordshire volunteer opportunities
HMP Bullingdon
Type: male, category B/C
Location: Bicester, OX25 1PZ
Accessibility: visitor car park and public transport options available
HMP Bullingdon is a local and resettlement prison for men and young adult 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 Bullingdon.
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 Huntercombe
Type: male, category C
Location: Henley-on-Thames, RG9 5SB
Accessibility: access by car is essential
HMP Huntercombe is a category C prison for adult males, predominantly foreign national 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 Huntercombe.
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.
Surrey volunteer opportunities
HMP/YOI Bronzefield
Type: female, closed
Location: Ashford, TW15 3JZ
Accessibility: visitor car park, access by foot and public transport options available
HMP/YOI Bronzefield is a privately operated closed prison for women over the age of 18, currently run by Sodexo. It also houses a mother and baby unit which can accommodate up to twelve mothers and their babies.
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 in or near South West London and be within one hour travel time using their chosen mode of transport (car or public transport).
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 Coldingley
Type: male, category C
Location: Woking, GU4 9EX
Accessibility: visitor car park and public transport options available
HMP Coldingley 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 Coldingley.
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 Downview
Type: female, closed category
Location: Sutton, SM2 5PD
Accessibility: visitor car park, access by foot and public transport options available.
HMP Downview is a closed category prison for female adult and young offenders.
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 in or near Sutton and be within one hour travel time using their chosen mode of transport (car or public transport).
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 High Down
Type: male, category C
Location: Sutton, SM2 5PJ
Accessibility: visitor car park and public transport options available
HMP High Down 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 in or near Sutton and be within one hour travel time using their chosen mode of transport (car or public transport)..
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 Send
Type: female, closed
Location: Woking, GU23 7LJ
Accessibility: visitor car park and access by foot available
HMP Send is a closed training prison for women over the age of 18. It is the only women’s prison to have a therapeutic community 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 in or near Surrey and be within one hour travel time using their chosen mode of transport (car or public transport).
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.
West Sussex volunteer opportunities
HMP Ford
Type: male, category D
Location: Arundel, BN18 0BX
Accessibility: visitor car park and access by foot available
HMP Ford is category D local 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 Ford.
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.
East Sussex volunteer opportunities
HMP Lewes
Type: male, category B
Location: Lewes, BN7 1EA
Accessibility: local parking and access by foot available
HMP Lewes is a category B local 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 Lewes.
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.
If there are no opportunities in a prison or immigration detention facility near you, register your interest. We will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.