Independent Custody Visiting Panels

November brought together our Independent Custody Visiting (ICV) panels alongside police custody colleagues for an engaging and impactful set of discussions.

We were joined by guest speakers from The Appropriate Adult Service (TAAS) in the South West, who shared powerful insights into their vital role. TAAS provides trained volunteers to act as Appropriate Adults for vulnerable individuals with mental health needs – during police interviews and custody processes, ensuring their rights are protected and they understand what is happening.

Our discussions were rich and meaningful, key concerns discussed included detainees not being routinely informed about sleeping reviews, reasonable adjustments and communication gaps for neurodivergent detainees, limited Samaritans support in custody, and the benefits and challenges of using the newly introduced translation tablets for non-English speaking detainees.

We reviewed the key findings from the recently published Broken Journeys report, compiled by Lay Observers. Lay Observers are independent volunteers who monitor the treatment and welfare of detainees during their journeys from police custody to court, ensuring that standards of care and human rights are upheld. The report highlighted the impact of national transport challenges faced by SERCO when moving detainees to court – a live issue that is currently being addressed through ongoing work.

Looking ahead, 2026 promises exciting developments, including welcoming a new cohort of ICVs across all three custody suites.

The ICV scheme is a statutory function that plays a critical role in safeguarding detainee welfare, promoting transparency, and ensuring accountability within custody settings. Independent Custody Visitors provide impartial oversight, helping to uphold human rights and maintain public confidence in the system. This work is only possible thanks to the dedication, time, and care of our incredible volunteers.

A huge thank you to our ICVs for their commitment and to our police colleagues for their openness to feedback and collaboration. Together, we are making custody oversight stronger and fairer.

Link to the Broken Journeys Report: Broken-journeys-broken-system-LO-transport-thematic.pdf

ICV Annual Reports: Independent Custody Visiting Scheme Annual Reports – OPCC for Avon and Somerset