The Association of Visitors to Immigration Detainees (AVID) this week published a new and updated version of its handbook for visitors.
AVID has been providing support, training, and information to those who volunteer to visit immigration detainees since its founding in 1994.
AVID says its new handbook has been completely revised and significantly expanded for 2019. It is available as an e-book for £8 or in print from £12. Full details on how to order copies of the handbook are available here.
The handbook is aimed at both new and experienced visitors, and it offers technical and practical information, as well as resources, guidance, tips, and tools.
AVID explains: “From what to expect when entering an immigration detention centre, how to start those initial conversations, how to support vulnerable people in detention, legal supports, detention law and policy, getting out of detention, and removal and deportation, this will be an indispensable tool for anyone interested in supporting people in or at risk of detention.”
You can find out more about AVID’s work here.
AVID’s member visitor groups visit and support people in every detention center and short term holding facility in the UK, as well as in a number of prisons.
AVID says that the visitors’ groups are independent but work with AVID and each other to ensure that detainees across the UK have access to the emotional and practical support of a volunteer visitor, to share best practice, and to promote a collective voice for change based on detainees’ real-life experiences.
