Faith Spear (Video); Whistleblowing in the IMB: A Cautionary Tale

Keywords Independent Monitoring Board, prison reform, criminology, Faith Spear, criminal justice, prison advocacy, emotional toll, monitoring prisons, recommendations, prison conditions Summary In this conversation, Faith Spear, a criminologist and former chair of the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), shares her experiences and insights into the role of the IMB in monitoring prisons. She discusses the challenges faced by IMB members, the emotional toll of the work, and the need for reform within the prison system. Faith reflects on her journey to the IMB, the expectations versus reality of the role, and the impact of her whistleblowing article that led to her suspension. Despite the challenges, she remains passionate about prison reform and continues to advocate for change. takeaways The IMB is a statutory body that monitors prisons. Members of the IMB have 24/7 access to prisons but face challenges in independence. Faith's background in the voluntary sector influenced her path to the IMB. Expectations of the IMB role can differ significantly from reality. The IMB is funded by the Ministry of Justice, affecting its perceived independence. Building trust with prisoners is a significant challenge for IMB members. The emotional toll of working in prisons can be substantial. Support and camaraderie among IMB members can be lacking. Faith's whistleblowing article raised important issues but led to her suspension. Faith continues to advocate for prison reform through her blog and public speaking.     Faith Spear FRSA is a prison reform advocate best known for her integrity and as staunch critic of this country’s prison system. Until January 2017, Faith served as Chair of the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) at HMP/YOI Hollesley Bay. She authored a groundbreaking article published in The Prisons Handbook 2016 speaking out against wrongdoings, injustice, and unfairness in prisons and highlighted issues such as the deficiency in purposeful activity, poor prison conditions and lack of independent prison monitoring. As a result, Faith was controversially suspended from her role by the Prisons Minister, Andrew Selous MP, bullied and ostracised by her local IMB board and unsupported by the IMB Secretariat, faced two investigations and a disciplinary hearing at Ministry of Justice HQ. Dismissed from her role in January 2017 by the second Prisons Minister, Sam Gyimah and banned from the IMB for 5 years. Undeterred, Faith has developed a reputation for her courageous and outspoken stance on prison-related issues. Known for challenging the status quo and addressing systemic failures within the prison system. Her work has earned her respect among her peers and recognition as a leading voice in the ongoing efforts to reform the UK’s prisons. Topics of Faith’s blogs have proven consistently correct, evidenced by the crisis in our prisons, unprecedented overcrowding, critical understaffing, places of violence and devoid of any meaningful rehabilitative outcomes.   Follow Faith on X/Twitter: @fmspear Bluesky: @faithspear.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faith-spear-frsa-818a53149/ Blog: www.thecriminaljusticeblog.com