When embarking on the journey of becoming a volunteer within Criminal Justice, it can often feel like an uphill struggle. The range of different services on offer, roles a person can do or providers to help, can lead to confusion and, in some cases, to losing interest completely. I speak from experience.  

Volunteering is something that I have done for many years, supporting a range of different organisations across several sectors. From my first position in a custodial environment, to supporting learners in a local school, to my most recent position reviewing police practice, each has been at times a struggle but offered unique rewards.  

The opportunities open to those considering it are exceptional, and as a tutor, my role has given me the privilege of following many students who have begun their journeys as volunteers and ended with full-time positions. Volunteering can be hugely transformative, allowing a safe space to learn about a sector, meet new people, and develop broader skills which can help someone grow in their current role.  

I currently volunteer as an Independent Custody Visitor (ICV) in North Yorkshire, which may leave readers wondering what such a role consists of. The police manage many thousands of people who are arrested each year across the region, with all those detained held in one of three custody suites, York, Harrogate, and Scarborough. As an ICV, I ensure that those in custody are treated in compliance with policy, legislation, and procedure. The power to remove a citizen's liberty should not be taken lightly and the rights of those being detained must be upheld.  

As volunteers with the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commission, our team visits the custody suites of these stations to check that conditions are appropriate, and that staff are supported in the carrying out of their duties. The scheme has offered a unique insight into life behind the walls and provided me with the opportunity to better understand the motivations of those who become involved in our criminal justice system.  

The role is designed to ensure that the correct level of oversight is delivered so those who are being held are treated with dignity, as set by law. This has been a position which I have held for three years, allowing me to connect with those from both sides of the imprisonment divide, listening to a range of voices from this often-closed world.  

Volunteering can be a challenge, and juggling commitments of work and or family means that balancing something additional is not always possible. The growing demands of employers and the competitive world in which we all operate provide little opportunity for us to take stock and pursue something new.  

However, on International Volunteer Day, it seems only fitting that we celebrate the millions of people around the United Kingdom who give up their time to support their communities. From Special Constables taking on crime in our regions to football coaches offering guidance to young people, volunteering is a cornerstone of growth. Why not try something new today?  

Jonathan Jackson is an Associate Professor and Academic Lead of Policing and Investigation at Leeds Trinity University.