Warwickshire police custody visitors turn to technology to ensure welfare checks can happen virtually

Volunteers who help ensure the welfare of those in police custody in Warwickshire have turned to technology to ensure that their vital checks can still take place during the coronavirus outbreak.

In what is thought to be a first in the region, members of the Independent Custody Visiting (ICV) scheme have been using video conferencing on mobile phones to enable ‘virtual’ visits with the first of these taking place at the Nuneaton Custody Centre this week.

The technology meant that visitor Sue Such was able to remain at home while being shown around the facilities by a detention officer.

She was also able to speak with detainees remotely. During the call the cells, kitchen, exercise yard and other areas of the custody facility were inspected.

Warwickshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe, who is responsible for the county’s ICV scheme, said: “A huge amount of care and attention goes into ensuring the welfare of detainees when they are brought into police custody and it is vital that the independent monitoring process continues, despite the difficulties brought by the Covid-19 outbreak.

“In fact, it’s never been more important to ensure the welfare of everyone in the custody environment, from the detainees themselves through to the police officers and detention staff that work there and anyone else who has cause to visit.

"Maintaining a viable and active custody visiting scheme is therefore crucial and I’m grateful for the flexible approach that all involved have shown to make sure that it can continue uninterrupted, while still ensuring social distancing can be observed.”

During the virtual visit, two detainees were interviewed and asked a number of questions around the conditions they were experiencing and whether they had been informed of their rights and been offered food and drink.