The International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA), in partnership with the Polish Prison Service and with support from the European Organisation of Prison and Correctional Services (EuroPris), is proud to present the inaugural Recruit. Retain. Renew: Corrections Workforce Conference (CWC) 2027: the first international conference dedicated exclusively to the future of the corrections workforce.
Across correctional jurisdictions worldwide, staffing has emerged as one of the most significant and urgent challenges facing prisons, probation, and parole services. Agencies are grappling with increasing difficulties in attracting, recruiting, training, and retaining high-quality staff, while simultaneously responding to growing operational complexity, workforce shortages, staff burnout, and rising expectations around safety, rehabilitation, and reintegration outcomes.
In recent years, many jurisdictions have reported critical staffing shortages, increasing turnover, and growing difficulty recruiting new personnel into correctional careers. These workforce pressures have significant consequences not only for staff wellbeing, but also for institutional stability, safety, rehabilitation efforts, and broader community outcomes. Research has shown that workforce shortages can contribute to increased lockdowns, reduced access to programmes and services, staff exhaustion, diminished morale, and reduced organisational resilience.
Correctional staff are the foundation of safe, secure, and effective correctional systems. From frontline officers and probation practitioners to healthcare professionals, educators, programme staff, and institutional leaders, the workforce plays a critical role in maintaining community safety, supporting rehabilitation, reducing recidivism, and fostering positive outcomes for people in custody and under community supervision.
As correctional environments become increasingly complex, agencies must adapt to changing workforce expectations, evolving operational demands, and the need for more modern, dynamic, and sustainable approaches to workforce development.
CWC2027 will bring together correctional practitioners, policymakers, researchers, trainers, workforce specialists, and justice sector leaders from across the globe to explore practical strategies, innovative solutions, and collaborative approaches to strengthening the corrections workforce.
Theme
The conference will focus on three central themes of recruitment, retention, and renewal to provide a space to holistically consider how to improve correctional staffing.
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Recruitment
Theme One, Recruitment, will explore how correctional agencies can attract the next generation of corrections professionals through modern recruitment strategies, employer branding, diversity and inclusion initiatives, career pathways, and community engagement.
Topics will include:
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Recruitment challenges across prisons, probation, and parole
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Attracting younger and diverse workforces
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Changing perceptions of corrections careers
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Leadership pipelines and succession planning
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Recruitment campaigns and workforce marketing
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International recruitment experiences and lessons learned
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Retention
Theme Two, Retention, will examine strategies to support workforce wellbeing, professional development, organisational culture, and long-term staff engagement.
Topics will include:
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Staff wellbeing and psychological safety
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Training and continuous professional development
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Burnout, fatigue, and workforce resilience
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Professional identity and morale
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Leadership and supervision
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Workplace culture and staff engagement
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Trauma-informed workplaces and peer support
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Renewal
Theme Three, Renewal, will focus on innovation, modernisation, and future-focused workforce models that strengthen correctional practice and improve outcomes.
Topics will include:
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Workforce innovation and reform
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Technology and digital transformation
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Evidence-informed workforce planning
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Dynamic staffing models
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Cross-sector partnerships
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Modern leadership approaches
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Building agile and adaptable correctional organisations
Agenda Overview
Day 1: Evening Welcome Reception
Day 2: Opening Sessions, Plenary Presentations, Workshops, and Exhibition
Day 3: Plenary Sessions, Workshops, Exhibition, and Closing Session
Day 4: Correctional Facility Visits
Call for Papers and Registration
Information about the call for papers and registration will be available soon.
Pre-Conference Training
Interested in enhancing the training offered by your agency? Further details about an additional pre-conference training programme will be announced soon.
Sponsorship
CWC2027 will provide sponsors and exhibitors with the opportunity to connect with agencies looking to transform their staffing practices. More nformation about sponsorship will be available soon. If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please contact Grail Mageean-Ray at [email protected].
