Information from the Independent Monitoring Board Communications Working Group
Information and updates from the IMB Communications Working Group
Communications Working Group
The Communications Working Group (CWG) was established in 2005 with a mission to improve communications both internally within the organisation and externally with the general public. It is chaired by David Shaw, a National Council member. The group also consists of IMB members from both the prisons and IRC estates as well as members of the Secretariat.
This page has been created to share some of the work of the CWG and provide some useful resources for Board members, particularly those wishing to raise awareness of the IMB in their local communities and those wishing to recruit new members.
Regional IMB Media Contact
A CWG sub-group has been established to produce sample articles about the work of the IMB to be sent to regional journals, magazines and newspapers. IMB Members are encouraged discuss the articles within their Board, identify any appropriate articles and adapt and copy them as required to send to local publications. The intention is to help raise public awareness of IMBs on a local and regional level.
Please follow the links to the sample articles:
Article 1 - Alcohol related courses in HMP Gartree
Artlcle 3 - Fancy being a chocolate teapot?
Article 4 - Behind closed doors
Article 5 - It will happen again
Article 6 - Community watchdogs
Article 7 - What about the women?
Article 8 - Are our prisons giving good value for our money?
Article 9 - Example of text for a media release: Volunteers needed
Article 10 - Recruitment article - Can you work behind closed doors?
Local and national media contact lists can be found by clicking the following links:
National and Local Radio Stations
Network of Speakers
Approximately 90 IMB Members belong to a national group called the 'Network of Speakers'. The network was established for IMB Members who have volunteered to deliver presentations within their local communities with a view to raising public awareness of the IMB.
Any IMB Member who currently delivers speeches and presentations about the IMB who would like to join the network, or receive the presentation pack, please contact the Head of Communications in the Secretariat for further details.
Some of the presentation materials available in the packs can be downloaded by clicking the links below:
Additional tips obtained at training days
Integration between Network of Speakers and Regional Cluster groups
