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International Corrections and Prisons Association - provides a forum
for criminal justice professionals to join in a dialogue and to share
ideas and practices aimed at advancing professional corrections.
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A Brief History
Correctional systems worldwide face a broad spectrum of challenges
that impede the effective discharge of their individual mandates.
As the global community develops and inter-jurisdictional communication
increases it is obvious that there are common problems affecting
many systems.
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This fact was underscored at the "Beyond Prisons" international
symposium held in Canada, in March 1998. Criminal justice professionals
from approximately forty countries participated and it became clear
that some forum for effectively sharing ideas and practices internationally
should exist.
Since that time, correctional conferences and symposia in a number
of countries have also recognized the utility of such an association.
It was a formal agenda item at the Israel Prison Service 50th Jubilee
conference in June 1998. In early September 1998, a group of international
criminal justice professionals met to plan the formal establishment
of the Association and to develop its program of work.
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Mission
"To contribute to public safety and healthier communities by encouraging
and enabling best correctional practices in prisons and outside communities".
Objectives for Action
- Promoting, maintaining and strengthening co-operation between individuals,
institutions, organizations and associations interested in corrections
and criminal justice policies which affect corrections and prisons.
- Encouraging the involvement of victims, offenders' families, volunteer
organizations and other elements of the community in finding helpful
and workable solutions to correctional and criminal justice issues.
- Promoting best practices.
- Organizing conferences, seminars and workshops.
- Being a centre for the dissemination of information and literature
on activities and research.
- Promoting co-operation and collaborative initiatives between jurisdictions
in areas of common interest. Encouraging and promoting research.
- Promoting staff exchanges and study visits between interested jurisdictions.
- Enhancing public education, understanding and involvement in correctional
matters.
- Providing support for, collaborating with, and generally facilitating
the work of bilateral and multilateral agencies providing technical
assistance or training.
- Promoting the study of correctional matters at a tertiary level
of education.
Shared Values
The work of the ICPA will be based upon the following shared values:
- The enhancing of public safety by the development of sound corrections
and criminal justice policy.
- The respect for the dignity of all individuals and the protection
of their rights in accordance with the United Nations Standards and
Norms in Criminal Justice, including the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights.
- The expansion and testing of the theoretical and empirical body
of knowledge that underpins professionalism in corrections.
- The open and free sharing of ideas, knowledge, values and experience
that is essential for sustained growth and development of all communities.
- The importance of strong partnerships, built upon mutual respect
and ongoing collaboration.
- The recognition that sound correctional practices contribute to
the harmony, health, and prosperity of communities.
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