*Please note that the conference programme is subject to change. This may include speaker cancellations and last-minute speaker confirmations. If you are a speaker and cannot find your presentation listed, kindly check your email for any communications from us or contact us directly for assistance.
Monday 27 October
8.45am – 8.50am GMT+03:00
Welcome and Introductions
Welcome and Introductions
Plenary Session
Natalie Boal, Executive Director, ICPA, Australia
Personal Bio
Natalie is a highly skilled and experienced leader, with over a decade of experience delivering complex and strategic projects for government with a focus on the human services sector. She has a strong track record of success in managing teams, driving change, and implementing significant reform projects.
Prior to taking on the role of Executive Director, ICPA, Natalie ran the South Australian Department for Correctional Services’ Strategic Policy, Projects, and Partnerships Unit. She has also been responsible for successfully delivering significant operational reforms within South Australia’s prison system. Natalie has formal qualifications in project management and is an expert in program and project management methodologies.
8.50am – 9am GMT+03:00
Opening Speech
Opening Speech
Plenary Session
Natalie Boal, Executive Director, ICPA, Australia
Personal Bio
Natalie is a highly skilled and experienced leader, with over a decade of experience delivering complex and strategic projects for government with a focus on the human services sector. She has a strong track record of success in managing teams, driving change, and implementing significant reform projects.
Prior to taking on the role of Executive Director, ICPA, Natalie ran the South Australian Department for Correctional Services’ Strategic Policy, Projects, and Partnerships Unit. She has also been responsible for successfully delivering significant operational reforms within South Australia’s prison system. Natalie has formal qualifications in project management and is an expert in program and project management methodologies.
9am – 9.45am GMT+03:00
Host Country Speech
Host Country Speech
Plenary Session
Enis Yavuz YILDIRIM, Judge, General Director, General Directorate of Prison and Detention Houses, MoJ, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Enis Yavuz YILDIRIM is the Director General of Prisons and Detention Houses of the Republic of Türkiye and is also responsible for the Turkish Probation System. Yıldırım has served as a judge in Hani (Diyarbakır) and Şuhut (Afyonkarahisar), as well as a public prosecutor in Sivas Divriği. He held the position of Chief Prosecutor in Doğubayazıt, Niğde, and Hatay, and was appointed Chief Prosecutor of Manisa in July 2011. He initially served as the Director General of Prisons and Detention Houses from 2013 to 2017. After a tenure as a High Advisor to the Ministry of Justice, Yıldırım was reappointed to this role in 2022.
9.45am – 10.30am GMT+03:00
Wellbeing and Corrections: An Oxymoron? (PID311)
Wellbeing and Corrections: An Oxymoron? (PID311)
Plenary Session
Abstract Summary
Historically, criminal justice systems have been based on a foundation of punishment with the belief that punishment will change behavior. Decades of data have shown that the system as we know it does not work well. It seldom yields the desired results. Perhaps a change in focus—on wellbeing—will be the answer.
This presentation defines wellbeing and discusses the barriers to wellbeing created by the system itself, as well as the barriers created by the unresolved trauma of individuals. Practical tips are explored to promote wellbeing for both staff and residents, and how to implement the three levels of trauma work: trauma informed, trauma responsive, and trauma specific.
This presentation defines wellbeing and discusses the barriers to wellbeing created by the system itself, as well as the barriers created by the unresolved trauma of individuals. Practical tips are explored to promote wellbeing for both staff and residents, and how to implement the three levels of trauma work: trauma informed, trauma responsive, and trauma specific.
The voices of those with lived experience will also be shared as we are challenged to understand the impact of the environment on behavior and to rethink the structure of corrections.
Dr. Stephanie Covington, Co-Director, Center for Gender & Justice, USA
Personal Bio
Dr. Stephanie S. Covington is an internationally recognized clinician, author, organizational consultant, and lecturer. She is a pioneer in the fields of addiction, trauma, and recovery. She has developed an innovative, gender-responsive, and trauma-informed approach that results in effective services in public, private, and institutional settings. Her presentations, staff-development seminars, and technical assistance focus on systems change and the development of caring, compassionate, and empowering therapeutic environments. They provide professionals an opportunity to learn new skills for dealing with personal, institutional, and societal changes and are always in demand, both nationally and internationally.
Dr. Covington was a workshop chair for the women’s treatment improvement protocol (TIP) published by The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and served on the Advisory Council for Women’s Services for SAMHSA. She also is a former chair of the Women's Committee of the International Council on Alcoholism and Addiction. Her clients include the Betty Ford Treatment Center, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment in Washington, D.C., and numerous others. She has conducted seminars for behavioral health professionals, community organizations, criminal justice professionals, and recovery groups in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Europe, Africa, Iceland, Brazil, and New Zealand.
For twenty-five years, she also has provided training and consulting to help institutions and programs in the criminal justice system develop effective gender-responsive and trauma-informed services. These include the Federal Bureau of Prisons; the National Institute of Corrections; the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; many other state and local jurisdictions; the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime; the Ministries of Justice in England, Scotland, and Switzerland; and the Correctional Service of Canada. She was the featured consultant and therapist on the Oprah Winfrey Network docu-reality show entitled Breaking Down the Bars. She also is the co-author of a three-year research project, Gender-Responsive Strategies: Research, Practice, and Guiding Principles for Women Offenders, for the National Institute of Corrections. This publication received the University of Cincinnati Award for its outstanding contribution to the field of corrections in the U.S. and Canada. Based in La Jolla, California, Dr. Covington is co-director of the Institute for Relational Development and the Center for Gender & Justice, which seeks to expand gender-responsive policies and practices for individuals under criminal justice supervision.
Educated at Columbia University and the Union Institute, Dr. Covington has served on the faculties of the University of Southern California, San Diego State University, and the California School of Professional Psychology. She is a board-certified Diplomate of the National Association of Social Workers and the American Board of Sexology and is a member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy and the American Psychological Association.
Among the many articles and books written by Dr. Covington is the best-selling recovery book, A Woman's Way through the Twelve Steps. She also has published trauma-focused training materials for staff development and organizational change as well as ten gender-responsive and trauma-informed programs that include curriculum manuals for facilitators and complementary materials for participants.
11am – 11.45am GMT+03:00
Learning from Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Studies of all 14 Correctional Services in Canada about the Mental Health and Well-Being of Correctional Workers: A National Focus (PID050)
Learning from Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Studies of all 14 Correctional Services in Canada about the Mental Health and Well-Being of Correctional Workers: A National Focus (PID050)
Plenary Session
Abstract Summary
In this talk, I reflect on core findings from two major research projects: the Correctional Worker Mental Health and Well-being Study (MHWS) and the Canadian Correctional Workers’ Well-being, Organizations, Roles, and Knowledge Study (CCWORK). The MHWS includes a survey of anyone working in any role in each provincial and territorial correctional service in Canada. The study uses a replication design for each service, where each of the 13 surveys share core questions yet are also individualized based on the needs of the service. The surveys were administered prior to the onset of COVID-19 in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Yukon. The services in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, Northwest Territories, Nunavut were surveyed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the CCWORK study, we study correctional officers longitudinally from recruitment to (currently) the eight year of their employment, tracking their experiences with changing health as informed by the work, policies, and their environment. The CCWORK study uses three methods for data collection: 1) in-depth semi-structured annual interviews; 2) annual clinical interviewing using the MINI; 3) an online self-report annual survey. From these two datasets, I talk about correctional worker mental health (including prevalence of mental health disorders), well-being, and organizational considerations that are shared to some degree across all correctional services in Canada. I further expand using work I am doing in the United States and Uganda to speak to global challenges as I explore the state of safety, security, and wellness in correctional services with recognition of how all that constitutes trauma informs both culture and climate. I address how linchpin factors (e.g., outcomes from short staffing, training, retention and recruitment challenges, resources, investigations, gossip) found across federal, provincial, and/or territorial correctional organizations shape health and cultural outcomes for people working in correctional services. I close by proposing areas of focus for correctional organizations (e.g., supportive environments, less gossip, more teamwork/teamliness) to cultivate a positive correctional culture and climate and potentially reduce compromised health and other related issues.
Prof. Rosemary Ricciardelli, Professor and Research Chair, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
Personal Bio
Dr. Rosemary Ricciardelli is Professor (PhD) in the School of Maritime Studies and Research Chair in Safety, Security, and Wellness, at Memorial University’s Fisheries and Marine Institute. The winner of the 2023 International Corrections and Prison Association’s Research Excellence Award, the Canadian Sociological Association’s Angus Reid Applied Researcher Award, and the President’s Award for the International Community Justice Association in 2024. Ricciardelli was also elected to the Royal Society of Canada and is a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. Her research centers on evolving understandings of gender, vulnerabilities, risk, and experiences and issues within different facets of the criminal justice system and among mariners. She has published 18 books, 320+ journal articles and 75+ chapters all in the areas of police, firefighting, correctional workers, public safety communicators, and criminalized persons, and wellness – broadly defined. As a sex and gender researcher, her interests lay in the social health, identity construction, and lived experiences of individuals. She leads a longitudinal study on the mental health and well-being experiences of correctional officers employed by Correctional Services Canada and has participated in correctional officer training with Correctional Services Canada. She also works in partnership on a research project with the Uganda Prison Service and contributes to MicroResearch International.
Gloria Haché, Assistant Commissioner, Policy and Research, Correctional Service of Canada, Canada
Personal Bio
Gloria Haché currently leads the Policy and Research Sector at Correctional Service of Canada which encompasses Strategic Policy, Planning and Reporting; Rights, Redress and Resolution; and Research Branches. Ms. Haché is a senior executive with over 25 years of leadership experience in the public sector. She joined the Correctional Service of Canada in January 2025. Previously, she held leadership roles in various key government departments including the Canada Border Services Agency. Throughout her career Ms. Haché has focus on transformation leadership the areas of strategic policy development, service delivery, human resources, and corporate services.
11.45am – 12.30pm GMT+03:00
Transforming San Quentin Prison in California: Marshaling the Experience and Perspectives of a Multidisciplinary Advisory Council to Improve Prison Staff and Resident Health and Well-being (PID046)
Transforming San Quentin Prison in California: Marshaling the Experience and Perspectives of a Multidisciplinary Advisory Council to Improve Prison Staff and Resident Health and Well-being (PID046)
Plenary Session
Abstract Summary
This presentation will describe the unique approach of the San Quentin Transformation Advisory Council, a multidisciplinary group of leaders with different professional and experiential backgrounds, including prison staff and union leaders, formerly incarcerated people, survivors of crime, prison culture change thought leaders, public heath academics, and architects with a focus on creating safe and healthy spaces who were appointed to collect recommendations and guide the dramatic transformation of San Quentin prison into a rehabilitation center. We will describe (1) the leading themes that emerged in the Advisory Councils report to optimize well-being among prison staff and residents; (2) the council’s approach to eliciting input from multiple stakeholders including community leaders and prison residents; (3) the power of a multidisciplinary approach to generating solutions to improving prison culture and (4) lessons learned that might assist others seeking to engage in a similar process.
Dr. Brie Williams, Professor of Medicine, Director of Amend, Amend at UCSF, United States
Personal Bio
Dr. Brie Williams, MD, MS is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Health and Society at the University of California, San Francisco, with specialty training in internal medicine, geriatrics, and palliative care. Dr. Williams directs Amend, a training and leadership development program that draws on public health, medical ethics, occupational health, and correctional practices from Norway and beyond to inspire, educate and empower prison staff to immediately address dehumanizing conditions in U.S. prisons that perpetuate trauma, violence, and health inequities among both incarcerated people and prison staff. Dr. Williams also co-directs the Aging Research in Criminal Justice Health (ARCH) Network, funded by the National Institute on Aging, to expand research at the intersection of aging, serious illness, and criminal legal system involvement.
Doug Bond, President and CEO, Amity Foundation, United States
Personal Bio
Doug Bond, President and Chief Executive Officer: As President and CEO of Amity Foundation, Mr. Bond leads all facets of the organization, bringing his exceptional skills as a community-builder and visionary leader seeking continual systemic improvements for marginalized populations. He currently oversees over 60 contracts for Amity Foundation in California, and Arizona including four residential campuses serving over 500 people with histories of criminal justice system involvement, addiction and homelessness per day. In the last three years he has built out employment services contracts to create workforce development opportunities for this high-need population, is currently developing 300 units of permanent housing and over 200 more beds for residential services and has rapidly expanded services and alternatives for youth reentering the community from the California Juvenile Justice.
Chance Andes, Warden, San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, United States
Personal Bio
Chance Andes is Warden of San Quentin Rehabilitation Center in California and has worked in the CDCR for over 20 years. He began his career as a correctional officer and has held senior level positions positions in multiple prisons including the highest security level prisons. Following Governor Newsom's announcement to turn San Quentin prison into a rehabilitation center, Andes was appointed as Warden to guide the prison's transformation and redesign. He is deeply committed to the health and well-being of prison staff and residents.
12.30pm – 12.45pm GMT+03:00
ICPA Board of Directors Introductions
ICPA Board of Directors Introductions
Plenary Session
Abstract Summary
Kim Ekhaugen, Vice-President, ICPA, Norway
Diane Williams, Treasurer, ICPA, USA
David Brown, Board Member, ICPA, Australia
Fatih Güngör, Board Member, ICPA, Türkiye
Heidi Washington, Board Member, ICPA, USA
Kathleen Van De Vijver, Board Member, ICPA, Belgium
Marayca Lopez, Board Member, ICPA, USA
Nadya Radkovska, Board Member, ICPA, Bulgaria
Pedro das Neves, Board Member, ICPA, Canada
Raphael Hamunyela, Board Member, ICPA, Namibia
Rob Jeffreys, Board Member, ICPA, USA
Steven Van De Steene, Board Member, ICPA, France
Diane Williams, Treasurer, ICPA, USA
David Brown, Board Member, ICPA, Australia
Fatih Güngör, Board Member, ICPA, Türkiye
Heidi Washington, Board Member, ICPA, USA
Kathleen Van De Vijver, Board Member, ICPA, Belgium
Marayca Lopez, Board Member, ICPA, USA
Nadya Radkovska, Board Member, ICPA, Bulgaria
Pedro das Neves, Board Member, ICPA, Canada
Raphael Hamunyela, Board Member, ICPA, Namibia
Rob Jeffreys, Board Member, ICPA, USA
Steven Van De Steene, Board Member, ICPA, France
Natalie Boal, Executive Director, ICPA, Australia
Personal Bio
Natalie is a highly skilled and experienced leader, with over a decade of experience delivering complex and strategic projects for government with a focus on the human services sector. She has a strong track record of success in managing teams, driving change, and implementing significant reform projects.
Prior to taking on the role of Executive Director, ICPA, Natalie ran the South Australian Department for Correctional Services’ Strategic Policy, Projects, and Partnerships Unit. She has also been responsible for successfully delivering significant operational reforms within South Australia’s prison system. Natalie has formal qualifications in project management and is an expert in program and project management methodologies.
1.45pm – 2.15pm GMT+03:00
Retention is the New Recruitment: A Blueprint for Nurturing Talent and Retaining High-Value Employees (PID013)
Retention is the New Recruitment: A Blueprint for Nurturing Talent and Retaining High-Value Employees (PID013)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
In the fiercely competitive job market, retaining high-value employees is essential for organizational success. This blueprint provides comprehensive strategies for nurturing talent, fostering a positive work environment, and implementing effective retention practices. By prioritizing employee development, engagement, and well-being, correctional facilities can significantly reduce turnover rates and cultivate a loyal, motivated workforce. This approach not only boosts productivity but also enhances the organization's reputation as an employer of choice. Emphasizing continuous learning, recognition, and work-life balance, the blueprint offers actionable insights to help companies retain their top talent and drive long-term success.
Michael Bell, Regional Director, MTC, United States
Personal Bio
In the ever-evolving field of corrections, recruiting and retaining top-tier correctional officers is crucial to ensuring stability and success. This dynamic session explores the shift from traditional recruitment methods to a retention-focused strategy, demonstrating how nurturing and retaining a skilled workforce is the ultimate solution to recruitment challenges in 2025.
Michael Bell, Regional Director at MTC, brings frontline expertise to the conversation, sharing innovative approaches to fostering employee engagement and development. Partnering with Dr. Kim Nugent, a renowned expert in leadership and organizational culture, they offer a compelling blend of evidence-based practices and actionable strategies tailored for correctional institutions.
Participants will gain insights into creating an environment that prioritizes psychological safety, effective communication, and career growth—cornerstones for retaining high-performing correctional officers. With a focus on generational dynamics, mentoring programs, and structured leadership development, this session provides a blueprint for cultivating loyalty, boosting morale, and enhancing overall organizational culture.
Attendees will leave empowered with practical tools to implement retention strategies that not only reduce turnover but also elevate the quality of correctional facilities. Whether you're a seasoned leader or new to the field, this session is your key to future-proofing your workforce.
Dr. Kim Nugent, Director, Harris Health, United States
Personal Bio
Dr. Kim Nugent is the Director of Talent Management and Organizational Development at Harris Health System and a business owner. She is a certified coach through Marshall Goldsmith and the ICF, and she is a well-known expert in leadership, staff and faculty development. Kim is also a nine-time best-selling author.
Before joining Harris Health, Kim worked in higher education, starting as a faculty member and eventually becoming a University President. Her career began in the hospitality industry, where she spent twenty years in various roles, including General Manager of the Hilton College Hotel and The Lancaster Hotel, as well as Divisional Manager for Hilton Hotels' Operations and Sales and Marketing.
When she is not working at Harris Health, she dedicates her PTO time to working in prisons and jails in Mississippi, Florida, and Texas, implementing her curriculum. She works with inmates on leading Train the Trainer programs that mentor small groups. The goal is to enhance their employability skills and develop a robust plan for their release.
The Pulse of Recruitment: From Stranger to Suitable Candidate in 3 Weeks at DJI (PID215)
The Pulse of Recruitment: From Stranger to Suitable Candidate in 3 Weeks at DJI (PID215)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This session will explore how DJI has made speed a cornerstone of its recruitment strategy, guiding candidates from first contact to final selection within just three weeks.
We will present the structure and philosophy behind The Pulse (Hartslag), the new national recruitment approach developed to respond to persistent staffing shortages. Starting from a fragmented and slow process, DJI analyzed how to improve efficiency while maintaining high standards. A key question was whether recruitment criteria could be adjusted to attract more candidates — and if so, how to do this without compromising on quality.
The outcome: psychological testing was redefined as advisory rather than decisive, giving management greater discretion in hiring. The new method was piloted at five sites and has since been rolled out nationally.
Key results include:
• Significantly reduced turnaround times
• Higher conversion rates
• Increased satisfaction among both candidates and hiring managers
By early 2025, the inflow of staff had outpaced outflow. In 2023, DJI recorded a net gain of +178 employees; in 2024, this rose to +518. The first quarter of 2025 shows continued growth.
Most prison locations have now reached full staffing levels. Moving forward, The Pulse will remain DJI’s standard recruitment method. For certain prisons with persistent shortages, additional recruitment investment will be made.
We will conclude with key lessons learned and practical insights for organizations facing similar workforce challenges. After that we have some time for answering questions of the audience.
• Significantly reduced turnaround times
• Higher conversion rates
• Increased satisfaction among both candidates and hiring managers
By early 2025, the inflow of staff had outpaced outflow. In 2023, DJI recorded a net gain of +178 employees; in 2024, this rose to +518. The first quarter of 2025 shows continued growth.
Most prison locations have now reached full staffing levels. Moving forward, The Pulse will remain DJI’s standard recruitment method. For certain prisons with persistent shortages, additional recruitment investment will be made.
We will conclude with key lessons learned and practical insights for organizations facing similar workforce challenges. After that we have some time for answering questions of the audience.
Jaco Hoogendoorn, Strategic Advisor HR, HR Program Manager, Dutch Custodial Institutions Agency (DJI), Netherlands
Personal Bio
Jaco Hoogendoorn is an experienced HR professional who has built his career shaping and strengthening HR strategy within national, regional, and local government organizations in the Netherlands. His journey began at a Police organization, where he established and led a department responsible for recruiting, selecting, and training young police officers.
Over the years, he has developed cross-government collaborations between municipalities, safety regions, and water authorities, focusing on creating internal and external labor markets. These partnerships have been designed to provide growth opportunities for employees while helping organizations retain valuable talent.
In 2022, he joined the Custodial Institutions Agency (DJI) during a period when staff outflow exceeded inflow and the labor market was under significant pressure. His assignment was to design a future-proof recruitment department while working toward a positive balance between inflow and outflow. In 2023, he developed the Hartslag approach—a method based on closer cooperation between recruitment and operational teams and placing the candidate at the center of the process. This approach became the foundation for the new recruitment department, which launched in 2024.
Since 2025, he has been serving as a Strategic HR Advisor, guiding DJI's national leadership on workforce strategies and long-term personnel planning. He brings a collaborative approach and a deep commitment to connecting people with meaningful careers in public service, while continuously striving to enhance DJI’s role in society.
Toon Molleman, Deputy Director, Dutch Custodial Institutions Agency (DJI), Netherlands
Personal Bio
Dr. Toon Molleman is the deputy director of prisons and immigration detention at the Dutch Custodial Institutions Agency (DJI). He previously worked as a prison director of the penitentiary institution of Arnhem and Leeuwarden. Dr. Molleman received his PhD in 2014 at Utrecht University (Methodology & statistics) by creating a benchmark for prisons. During his PhD research, Dr. Molleman worked at the Research and Documentation Centre (WODC) of the Ministry of Justice and Safety.
Women-Centered Non-Custodial Measures: Developing Gender-Based Strategies of Least Intervention (PID109)
Women-Centered Non-Custodial Measures: Developing Gender-Based Strategies of Least Intervention (PID109)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This session will examine the role of non-custodial measures (NCM) in developing community safety and social justice responses to women in conflict with the law. Drawing on the international human rights standards enshrined in the Mandela Rules and the gender-specific Bangkok Rules, this workshop will focus on three approaches to developing women-centered non-custodial measures through interactive exercises. First, we will review the role of the Bangkok and Mandela Rules in reducing the gender-based harms of custodial sentences through a discussion of the UNODC’s Toolkit for Gender-Responsive Non-Custodial Measures. Second, the workshop will present empirical evidence that demonstrates the success of NCM for women. Third, the workshop will conclude with an interactive session, based on the self-assessment exercises from the Toolkit and supplemented by introducing two US-based initiatives aligned with this approach.
Dr. Barbara Owen, Independent Researcher, Owen Research and Evaluation, United States
Personal Bio
Barbara Owen is an international expert in the areas of women and imprisonment; improving operational practice in women’s prisons via research; and women’s prison culture. She has extensive experience in conducting mixed methods research, including participant observation, ethnographies, large-scale surveys, policy studies, and program evaluation.
Internationally, her work involves implementing human rights protections in women’s prisons with the Thailand Institute of Justice, where she serves as a Senior Advisor.
A Professor Emerita of Criminology at California State University, Fresno, she received her Ph.D. in Sociology from UC Berkeley in 1984. Prior to returning to academia, Dr. Owen was a Senior Researcher with the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Chontit Chuenurah, Director of the Office for the Bangkok Rules and Treatment of Offenders, Thailand Institute of Justice, Thailand
Personal Bio
Chontit Chuenurah is the Director of the Office for the Bangkok Rules and Treatment of Offenders at the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ). She has been involved in national, regional, and international advocacy related to promoting and protecting human rights in prison settings. As part of her work, she supervises several research projects focusing on women’s pathways to imprisonment and recidivism in Southeast Asia. She is the author/ co-author of articles and book chapters on these issues. Also, Chontit leads social reintegration projects through government, private sector and civil society collaborations. Chontit is specialised in topics related to prison reform, the treatment of offenders, and UN standards and norms with a strong focus on the gender aspect.
Samantha Jeffries, Associate Professor, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University, Australia
Personal Bio
Dr Samantha Jeffries is an Associate Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. Her research focuses on marginalised social statuses, criminalisation, victimisation and (in)justice. She has researched intimate partner violence; the sex industry; gender, Indigeneity and sentencing decisions. Over the last ten years, Dr Jeffries has collaborated with the Thailand Institute of Justice, undertaking studies on gendered pathways to criminalisation; human rights and women’s experiences of imprisonment, re-integration, and electronically monitored parole. She has co-authored a book on domestic violence (Romantic Terrorism) and co-edited the book Gender, Criminalization, Imprisonment and Human Rights in Southeast Asia. Dr Jeffries regularly conducts Bangkok Rules training with criminal justice personnel in Southeast Asia for the Thailand Institute of Justice. She has been invited and subsequently provided expert advice to Australian governments and international organisations in the areas of gender, criminalisation, imprisonment and gender-based violence.
Dr. Yodsawadi Thipphayamongkoludom, PhD., Senior Project Manager, Office for the Bangkok Rules and Treatment of Offenders, Thailand Institute of Justice, Thailand
Personal Bio
Yodsawadi Thipphayamongkoludom is a Senior Project Manager for the Office for the Bangkok Rules and Treatment of Offenders at the Thailand Institute of Justice. As part of her work, she supervises several research projects focusing on understanding women’s backgrounds, pathways to imprisonment, and their rehabilitation needs. Her work includes TIJ’s Research Series on Women Prisoners and the implementation of the Bangkok Rules in ASEAN, and Surveying Victimization Experiences among Young People in Custody. She has also been involved in multiple training programmes for senior correctional staff and prison officers on the importance of gender-responsive prison management in keeping with international standards like the Bangkok Rules and the Mandela Rules.
Local Solutions, Global Standards: The Community Stakeholder Approach to Youth Detention Reform (PID057)
Local Solutions, Global Standards: The Community Stakeholder Approach to Youth Detention Reform (PID057)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Transform youth detention facilities from places of confinement to centers of rehabilitation through the innovative Community Assessment Model. This workshop reveals how correctional professionals in the Americas have dramatically reduced violent incidents and solitary confinement, and improved youth outcomes by harnessing community expertise.
Discover how multidisciplinary teams—including mental health specialists, educators, families, and formerly incarcerated youth—provide powerful insights traditional compliance inspections miss. Through compelling case studies and testimonial videos, see how these diverse perspectives drive meaningful reform while helping facilities meet international standards like the Mandela Rules and Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The model's innovation lies in its sustainability: community stakeholders don't just identify problems—they become long-term partners in solution implementation, providing facilities with specialized knowledge and resources often unavailable internally. The custom technology platform streamlines assessments and utilizes data analysis tools to uncover systemic obstacles to reform.
Workshop participants will gain practical tools for identifying and engaging the right community partners, conducting effective assessments, and transforming findings into actionable improvement plans. Whether facing resource constraints, staff resistance, or implementation challenges, you'll leave with strategies to launch community-based assessment in your jurisdiction.
Join pioneering juvenile justice professionals who have used this approach to achieve what seemed impossible: facilities where youth feel genuinely prepared for successful community reintegration, and where international standards are put into practice.
Douglas Keillor, Executive Director, Juvenile Justice Advocates International, United States
Personal Bio
Douglas Keillor is the founder and Executive Director of Juvenile Justice Advocates International, an international nonprofit organization working to promote the rights of youth in the juvenile justice system. Mr. Keillor works with justice sector agencies, such as the juvenile courts, police, prosecutors, public defenders and civil society, to identify the causes of the excessive use of juvenile detention. He works with local teams to implement best practices, prioritizing public security and juveniles´ human rights. JJAI’s primary projects are in Mexico, the United States, Puerto Rico, and Central America.
Mr. Keillor received a Masters in International Politics and a Juris Doctor from American University in Washington, DC. Mr. Keillor was a special assistant to the chairperson of the UN Committee Against Torture at the 2011 committee session in Geneva, Switzerland. In 2012 Mr. Keillor received a Fulbright Fellowship to study pretrial detention in Mexico. He was a contributor to the United Nations Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty, and has presented at international, regional and national conferences on youth justice around the world.
Global Prison Trends - Well-being Under Pressure (PID141)
Global Prison Trends - Well-being Under Pressure (PID141)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This workshop will explore key global developments impacting the well-being of people who live and work in prison settings, drawing on *Global Prison Trends 2025*, published by Penal Reform International and the Thailand Institute of Justice.
With the global prison population reaching an all-time high of 11.5 million, overcrowding, deteriorating conditions, and staff shortages are placing immense pressure on prison systems. At least 120 prison systems are operating beyond capacity—some at over 300%—with serious consequences for physical and mental health, safety, and dignity. Drawing on global data and PRI’s global programmes, the session will examine how prisons are responding to these pressures, including efforts to meet basic health needs, address violence, and support staff well-being in increasingly challenging environments.
The workshop will also highlight the right to vote as a dimension of well-being and dignity in prison. Despite progress in some jurisdictions, millions remain disenfranchised. Participants will discuss how enabling civic participation can promote inclusion, agency, and a rehabilitative culture.
Finally, the session will consider the growing trend of environmental sustainability in prisons. From green infrastructure to vocational training, “green prison” initiatives are emerging as a potential lever to improve well-being and living standards—when implemented meaningfully.
Through data, case studies, and discussion, the workshop invites shared learning on how detention systems are adapting under pressure—and what practical steps can be taken to protect and promote well-being for both prison staff and those under their supervision.
Olivia Rope, Executive Director, Penal Reform International, Netherlands
Personal Bio
Olivia Rope was appointed as Executive Director of Penal Reform International in 2020, having joined the organisation in 2012 and previously leading on policy and international advocacy. She is an expert on a range of human rights and criminal justice issues, having authored key publications and training materials for PRI and worked extensively with UN and other institutional actors and partners. Previously, Olivia worked at Amnesty International. She completed her LLM in International and European Human Rights Law at the University of Amsterdam in 2008 and was admitted to the High Court of New Zealand as a Barrister and Solicitor in 2009.
Tinatin Uplisashvili, Project Manager, Penal Reform International, Georgia
Personal Bio
Ms Uplisashvili has over 20 years of experience of working in the criminal justice sector, holding managerial positions initially at the governmental sector and afterwards at International organizations. Currently she is with Penal Reform International as Project Manager. Since 2006 she has managed different large-scale regional Council of Europe projects covering fields like fight against ill-treatment and impunity, combatting discrimination, promoting reforms within penitentiary and probation systems, pushing for implementation of ECtHR judgments. Since 2017 Ms Uplisashvili has been a member representing Georgia as a member of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT). within this mandate she monitors places of detention in the Council of Europe member states and participates in standard-setting process of this Committee. Ms Uplisashvili holds a master’s degree in Human Rights obtained at the European Inter-University Centre of Human Rights and Democratisation in Venice, Italy. As part of Master’s course, she did her internship in Strasbourg at the European Court of Human Rights. She also hold a Master’s equivalent degree in International Law obtained at Tbilisi State University.
Architectural Strategies for Enhancing Staff Well-Being and Institutional Security in Correctional Settings (PID146)
Architectural Strategies for Enhancing Staff Well-Being and Institutional Security in Correctional Settings (PID146)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
The presentation will address the relationship between architecture and social interaction among different user groups within correctional facilities, focusing on wellbeing for staff.
The presentation is grounded in extensive experience that has evolved into knowledge and insights drawn from a range of built and ongoing architectural projects, each with diverse contexts and user needs and requirements.
A central design parameter is the creation of a safe and resilient workplace for correctional staff. The presentation aims to illustrate how the quality of the work environment directly influences human behavior and well-being – an increasingly recognized success criteria in achieving effective rehabilitation outcomes.
The presentation will showcase multiple examples from Nordic prisons.
Sonia Bom, Partner, Design and Technical Director, Alex Poulsen Architects, Denmark
Personal Bio
Sonia has since 2019 been Design Director, architect, and partner at Alex Poulsen Architects – a studio which for 80 years has been a close and trustful client adviser and lead architectural office for the Danish Department of Prisons and Probation.
She has more than 13 years of experience on secured constructions, from prisons to psychiatries, and other complex typology projects. She has worked as an architect in Denmark for the last 14 years and has previously worked in both Portugal and Spain.
In the studio’s framework agreement with the Danish Probation and Correctional Service since 2018, Sonia has been responsible for portfolio management. She uncovers the projects’ success criteria with prison design. Sonia is furthermore responsible for client consultancy and project management of several projects across Denmark and internationally.
With experience in involving users and managing and planning projects, in all phases of a project’s development, Sonia is skilled in handling complex collaborative relationships. Such relationships not only include builders, client, staff, and users of the institutions but also contractors and external and technical expert advisors. Being part of a larger Security Technical expert panel, Sonia manages the tasks of the project teams for high security facilities with her in-depth knowledge of each individual’s role and expertise.
Jonas Hviid Mønster, Partner, Head Business and Process Development, Alex Poulsen Architects, Denmark
Personal Bio
Between 2016 - 2024 Jonas has been the CEO at Alex Poulsen Architects. Today he is head of business and process development focusing on developing and fine tuning how the studio, Alex Poulsen Architects, solve their complex projects process wise.
As an experienced client advisor and building consultant, on several complex projects with a high degree of user involvement and stakeholder management, Jonas finds his primary strengths in facilitating user involvement processes, preparing specifications of requirements, developing early-stage planning and scrutinize tender processes. In his work, Jonas ensures high quality, an open and accessible process, and the feeling of ownership across a project's stakeholders.
Depending on which role and context Jonas is part of in the building process, he has the ability to adapt his work from dealing with overall and strategic questions on one hand, and to maintaining specific technical solutions on the other – this all facilitated by his professional background as a constructing architect.
Jonas has furthermore experience in conducting market analyses for public developers, including in collaboration with the Danish Economic and Financial Services Authority. The aim of the market analysis has been to uncover the market's reaction to price and quality levels, to identify the most advantageous form of contract on specific task types.
1.45pm – 2.30pm GMT+03:00
Human-Centered Corrections With AI: Smarter Systems, Safer Connections (PID078)
Human-Centered Corrections With AI: Smarter Systems, Safer Connections (PID078)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
As correctional systems adopt modern communication technologies, they face the dual challenge of maintaining safety while respecting human dignity. This presentation explores how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can help correctional agencies ethically manage digital messaging, video visitation, and phone calls at scale - without compromising privacy or well-being.
Traditional methods of monitoring, such as listening to calls or reading personal messages, often expose staff to deeply private, non-threatening content, placing emotional and ethical burdens on both reviewers and those being reviewed. AI offers a privacy-aware alternative, focusing on policy-relevant risks like contraband, violence, or escape planning, while minimizing unnecessary human intrusion.
Real-world examples demonstrate how tools like speech-to-text transcription, GPT-based contextual analysis, and rules-based scoring are enabling smarter oversight aligned with international standards like the Nelson Mandela and Bangkok Rules. The session also highlights AI innovations that promote connection and rehabilitation, including mental health chatbots, self-guided reentry platforms, and trauma-informed learning tools.
Attendees will learn how AI can reduce staff burden, safeguard dignity, and promote safety - charting a responsible path forward for technology in corrections.
Christopher Ditto, Vice President of Research & Development, ViaPath Technologies, United States
Personal Bio
Christopher Ditto is the Vice President of Research & Development at ViaPath Technologies, a leading provider of communications technology for corrections. With over 15 years of experience in innovating and launching solutions for the corrections industry, Mr. Ditto's work impacts the daily lives of over one million incarcerated individuals. Currently, he leads AI initiatives at ViaPath, driving the integration of cutting-edge technologies into corrections solutions. Based in Silicon Valley, Mr. Ditto has been actively involved with the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) since 2018.
Eric Gonzalez, Executive Director of Technology International, ViaPath Technologies, United States
Personal Bio
Eric Gonzalez is the Executive Director of Technology Services International at ViaPath Technologies. Eric has 30+ years of experience with telecom technology and is an expert in corrections technology solutions design and systems integrations. Eric is based in Austin, Texas and has been involved with ICPA since 2014.
2.15pm – 2.45pm GMT+03:00
Recruiting, Developing and Retaining Diverse Talent to Break Cycles of Reoffending (PID066)
Recruiting, Developing and Retaining Diverse Talent to Break Cycles of Reoffending (PID066)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Prisons need talented frontline staff to run safe and purposeful regimes focused on preparing prisoners to lead successful lives post-release. These staff need motivation, training and support to deliver that. This presentation focuses on the work of Unlocked Graduates, a charity working across England and Wales focused on recruiting, developing and retaining talented graduates to drive change in the prison service. Drawing on findings from interviews and surveys with serving prison officers we explore the cultural and organisational factors shaping their experience of their work, wellbeing, sense of possibility and motivation to remain in the prison service, before setting out some proposed solutions based on our learning to date.
Natasha Porter, Chief Executive and Founder, Unlocked Graduates, United Kingdom
Personal Bio
Natasha is the founder and CEO of Unlocked Graduates, one of the UK’s largest prison reform charities. Unlocked develops leaders who work in prisons to break cycles of reoffending. Since 2017, our flagship graduate programme has placed nearly 900 top graduates in 38 prisons across England and Wales, reaching more than 125,000 prisoners.
Prior to Unlocked, Natasha was a teacher and leader in inner city schools, co-founding King Solomon Academy and leading their frontier cohort to groundbreaking GCSE results in 2014. Between 2014 and 2016 Natasha was deputy head of education at Policy Exchange, and an adviser at the Department for Education and Ministry of Justice.
Natasha is an adviser to the Children’s Commissioner and a member of The Times Crime and Justice Commission. She is also a charity trustee at Impetus PEF and Get Further. She sits on the Grants and Evaluation committee at the Youth Endowment Fund and the Building Future’s Advisory Board at Prison Reform Trust. In 2025, Natasha was named Young Australian of the Year in the UK. She was also awarded an OBE for services to HM Prison and Probation Service in the 2023 New Year Honours List.
Where Is Everybody? A Case Study on the Impact of Strategic Workforce Management on Absence and Attrition in Five English Prisons (PID203)
Where Is Everybody? A Case Study on the Impact of Strategic Workforce Management on Absence and Attrition in Five English Prisons (PID203)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Prison systems globally are facing staffing crises, but the situation in England is especially severe. Rising violence, escalating workloads, and changing expectations around wellbeing have led to high levels of staff absence and attrition, threatening both operational delivery and prisoner outcomes.
This two-year, multi-site case study explores the systemic impact of workforce instability across five privately managed English prisons. Using a mixed-methods approach—combining quantitative data (absence and attrition rates, staff engagement metrics) and qualitative insights (focus groups, exit interviews)—this case study identifies shared challenges, site-specific differences, and the outcomes of targeted interventions.
Key findings highlight gaps in strategic workforce management, including reactive approaches, poor data integration, and limited cross-site learning. A ‘vicious cycle’ of absence and attrition was evident, particularly among new recruits (first 12 months).
Despite challenges, the study also uncovered examples of strong leadership and good practice, such as trauma-informed approaches, enhanced staff engagement, and clearer accountability structures.
A coordinated intervention programme introduced strategic oversight, standardised practices, revised induction and training, and strengthened wellbeing initiatives. These measures led to a significant and sustained improvement in staff stability.
Aligned with the UN Mandela Rules, the findings reinforce the ethical and operational imperative of workforce investment. This case study offers a scalable, evidence-based model for reducing absence and attrition through data-driven, people-centred leadership—supporting safer, more rehabilitative prison environments.
Hayley Peek, Integrated Services Director, Serco, England, United Kingdom
Personal Bio
Hayley Peek is the Integrated Services Director for Justice and Immigration at Serco, responsible for Health and Social Care, Drug Strategy, Prisoner Education, Skills and Work, Staff Wellbeing, and Training.
With over 20 years’ experience, starting as a Registered General Nurse, Hayley has led complex service transformations across public and private sectors. She specialises in integrating health, education, and rehabilitation services within justice settings.
With over 20 years’ experience, starting as a Registered General Nurse, Hayley has led complex service transformations across public and private sectors. She specialises in integrating health, education, and rehabilitation services within justice settings.
Her work focuses on digital innovation, pathway redesign, and stakeholder collaboration to improve access, quality, and outcomes. Hayley is committed to building inclusive, sustainable systems that meet evolving needs while delivering value and compliance.
She is a passionate advocate for technology-enabled services and positive workforce culture, working with global partners to influence policy, share best practice, and drive meaningful change across justice and public service environments.
Introducing Sexual and Reproductive Health Data Collection in Prisons Designated for Women in Canada (PID170)
Introducing Sexual and Reproductive Health Data Collection in Prisons Designated for Women in Canada (PID170)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Women of reproductive age are the fastest growing population in prisons globally. Despite this growth, there is a lack of systematic data collection on sexual and reproductive health outcomes of people in prisons for women in Canada. The United Nations Minimum Standards for the Treatment of Women Prisoners call for routine collection of such information on admission to custody.
We conducted a 54 question, cross-sectional survey of reproductive, gynecological, and breast health outcomes among people in provincial prisons for women in five prisons.
Out of 179 eligible, 158 people participated. As expected, we found high rates of housing precarity, poverty, and Indigenous identity. We were surprised by findings of high rates of lesbian and bisexual identity. We found high rates of unintended pregnancy, abortion, fertility, STBBIs, and unmet contraceptive need when compared to the general population. Among 158 participants, 324 children were reported, pointing to an average of 2 children affected by the incarceration of each woman in Canada.
This represents the first study of its kind in Canada, with important findings that demonstrate elevated need for health services, the right to which is guaranteed by Canadian legislation. Findings support implementation of routine data collection and demonstrate need for health services.
Dr. Martha Paynter, Associate Professor, University of New Brunswick, Canada
Personal Bio
Dr. Martha Paynter has worked to advance sexual and reproductive health and justice for over 20 years. A writer, registered nurse and public scholar, she is recognized internationally for her expertise in abortion services and prisoner health. She is an Associate Professor at the University of New Brunswick Faculty of Nursing; Director of Nursing Research for the Contraception and Abortion Research Team, a national network based out of the UBC Faculty of Medicine; Affiliate Scientist for the Reproductive Options and Services (ROSE) abortion Clinic at Nova Scotia Health; and a faculty member of the Dalhousie University Health Law and Justice Institute. In 2012, she founded Wellness Within: An Organization for Health and Justice, the only non-profit in Canada dedicated to advancing reproductive justice for people in prisons, and she continues to serve on WW’s volunteer board as Director of Research. She is the author of two books, Abortion to Abolition: Reproductive Health and Justice in Canada (Fernwood Publishing, 2022) and Lawless: Abortion under Complete Decriminalization (Fernwood Publishing, 2025). Dr. Paynter is deeply committed to public engagement and health information democracy and is an experienced commentator for both print and broadcast news media across Canada. She works in close collaboration with grassroots community groups and lived experience experts to advocate for abortion access and prisoner rights. In 2017, Dr. Paynter received the sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary medal from the Senate of Canada for her volunteer service to the country.
Clare Heggie, PhD Candidate, University of New Brunswick, Canada
Personal Bio
Clare Heggie is a Doctoral Candidate at the University of New Brunswick in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies. She is supported by a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship and an MSSU Trainee Award for Patient Oriented Research. Her doctoral research explores the intersection of rurality, gender and criminalization as it determines health outcomes and healthcare access experiences. Since 2018, she has been the Research Coordinator for Wellness Within, the only non-profit in Canada dedicated to advancing reproductive justice for people in prisons. In this role and in her doctoral work she co-leads community engaged research on the sexual and reproductive health outcomes of incarcerated and criminalized people in Canada.
Navigating Stormy Seas: Desensitization Strategies to Mitigate Re-Traumatization in Neurodivergent Juveniles in Correctional Settings (PID028)
Navigating Stormy Seas: Desensitization Strategies to Mitigate Re-Traumatization in Neurodivergent Juveniles in Correctional Settings (PID028)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Neurodivergent juveniles, encompassing those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other cognitive conditions, are having an unfair share in the juvenile justice system, and they face significant challenges within correctional settings. Conventional punitive approaches often fail to address their specific needs, exacerbating re-traumatization and increasing recidivism risks. This research emphasizes the necessity of desensitization focused, trauma-informed, as well as neurodiversity-aware practices to mitigate re-traumatization and foster effective rehabilitation. By reviewing literature and evidence-informed practices, the study explores the desensitization strategies that are being adapted in trauma-informed care tailored to sensory, cognitive, and behavioral characteristics of neurodivergent youth. Conducted to 56 individuals within the spectrum of neurodivergence, between the age of 14 to 21 years, a multidisciplinary framework is applied through a developmental phase model, examining a multitude of biopsychosocial responses to trauma within correctional environments. Key recommendations include creating safe, structured, and predictable settings, reducing sensory triggers, and eliminating practices that may inadvertently re-traumatize. Specialized staff training on neurodiversity and trauma-responsive techniques is critical to fostering empathy, effective communication, and support. Additionally, systemic reforms are advocated, including standardized guidelines, increased funding for training and resources, and oversight to ensure policy efficacy. This research calls for a shift from punitive models to compassionate, evidence-based practices grounded in human rights principles as well as a growing discourse for more justifiable and humane approaches. It is essential in addressing the unique needs of neurodivergent juveniles, reducing recidivism, and promoting successful rehabilitation and reintegration, ultimately contributing to safer, more inclusive communities.
Sayed Mawismi Sayed Mohamad Mustar, Senior Associate Social Development Officer, Department of Social Welfare, Malaysia
Personal Bio
With a background in Social Work, Psychology and Disability Studies, Sayed has been a practitioner for more than 15 years in the Correctional field both in institutionalized and community-based settings. Focusing on rehabilitation services for youths aged 14 to 21, he has been handling individual and family intervention, initiating community integration, managing, and delivering rehabilitation programs, and involving directly in policy making. He is currently integrating interdisciplinary knowledge of Adolescence Psychology, Criminology and Disability Studies in doing research on Youth Justice Systems, especially for youths with cognitive and intellectual impairments.
Sayed has been invited to be a panel in developing National Youth Rehabilitation Policy, specifically in drafting the Standard Operating Procedures for Community Services under Department of Social Welfare, focuses on children and youths conflicting with laws. He has been selected as Supervisor for delivering Community Services programs since 2017. He is also being elected as an auditor for Community Services implementation standard in 2018 and 2019. At the same, he is entrusted in addressing talks and sharing sessions focusing on the issues of Youth Correctional Settings as well as Neurodiversity in Malaysia and was invited by Malaysia Human Rights Commission to be one of the panelists to review on reintegration program of released prisoners to be integrated in the community. With relevant experience, he acquires an interest in becoming a researcher, emphasizing the development of proper, justifiable and effectual programs specifically on juvenile, those within neurodevelopmental divergent groups and people with disabilities within the justice system.
Understanding Prison Climate in Singapore: Examining Institutional Conditions for Effective Rehabilitation (PID132)
Understanding Prison Climate in Singapore: Examining Institutional Conditions for Effective Rehabilitation (PID132)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
In an era of evolving correctional practices, understanding the environmental well-being in prisons and its impact on rehabilitation outcomes has become increasingly critical. This mixed-methods study examines the correctional climate within the Singapore Prison Service (SPS), investigating how various environmental factors influence rehabilitation effectiveness and overall prison life. As correctional systems worldwide face growing scrutiny, understanding these dynamics becomes crucial for evidence-based reforms and the enhancement of rehabilitative practices.
This research study encompasses six institutions within SPS, involving a representative sample of 333 incarcerated individuals and more than 100 staff members, including correctional officers, programme delivery staff, and intelligence officers. This diverse participant pool ensures a holistic representation of the prison ecosystem and captures multiple perspectives on the correctional environment. The study aims to identify which key dimensions of the prison environment have contributed to a rehabilitative atmosphere based on Singapore's local operating conditions, such as the quality and nature of staff-inmate relationships, perceived accessibility and effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes, dynamics of inmate-to-inmate interactions and institutional variations and their effects on rehabilitation and even COVID-19's influence on the correctional environment.
This comprehensive study provides valuable insights into areas requiring attention and establishes a baseline for measuring future reforms. The findings hope to contribute to the broader discourse on creating supportive prison environments that facilitate meaningful rehabilitation while aligning with international best practices in correctional management.
Karam Singh, Director, Psychological and Correctional Rehabilitation Division, Singapore Prison Service, Singapore
Personal Bio
Mr Karam Singh is a Senior Consultant Psychologist and the Director of the Psychological and Correctional Rehabilitation Division (PCRD) of the Singapore Prison Service (SPS). He has served as a psychologist in various appointments within the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) since 1999. His areas of specialisation are in the areas of assessment, treatment and research of violence and youth offenders; the development of Transformative Environments within correctional facilities, and desistence of inmates from offending.
2.15pm – 3.15pm GMT+03:00
Planning and Design Network Meeting PID302
Planning and Design Network Meeting PID302
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
You’re invited to join the meeting of ICPA’s Planning and Design Network. The Planning and Design Network's aim is to promote humane and exemplary practices for the planning and design of new and renovation of existing prison environments.
Objectives:
- Meet and collaborate with planning and design professionals from around the world.
- Share current projects and best practice examples from multiple jurisdictions.
- Raise concerns, queries and dilemmas for group input and support.
- Discuss the upcoming planning and design conference in April 2026.
- Meet and collaborate with planning and design professionals from around the world.
- Share current projects and best practice examples from multiple jurisdictions.
- Raise concerns, queries and dilemmas for group input and support.
- Discuss the upcoming planning and design conference in April 2026.
Kavan Applegate, Director, Guymer Bailey Architects, Australia
Personal Bio
Kavan is the Chair of the ICPA Planning and Design Network and Director of Guymer Bailey Architects, specialising in specialist in justice and correctional architecture – therapeutic environments that facilitate rehabilitation, empower behavioural change and create a sense of hope to ultimately reduce recidivism rates and create a better, safer community for all.
Knowing that our environment has a profound effect on us, his passion is in harnessing the transformative effects of architecture to help people live better lives. Through the creative and sustainable use of building form and materials and the rehabilitative effects of daylight, Kavan believes architecture can significantly change the quality of life for those inhabiting its space. It is this ‘architecture of hope’ that he seeks to provide each day by delivering well planned, operationally effective and delight-filled masterplanning and building solutions.
Over the last 25 years, Kavan has led the design of many of Australia’s most innovative and iconic justice and correctional projects alongside our team including Hopkins Correctional Centre, Ravenhall Correctional Centre, Western Plains Correctional Centre, Rivergum Residential Treatment Centre, Southern Queensland Correctional Centre (St2), Southern Remand Correctional Centre, and the Thomas Embling Forensic Hospital Expansion as well as works in numerous other secure facilities.
As a Director of Guymer Bailey Architects, Kavan leads the exceptional architecture, landscape architecture and interior design team across our Melbourne and Brisbane Studios and overseeing our large-scale correctional projects.
Dr. Marayca Lopez, Criminologist, Justice Planner, DLR Group, United States
Personal Bio
Marayca is an expert consultant of distinguished ability and accomplishment in the field of criminal justice with an extensive education and international background in penology and criminology. Having exclusively dedicated her academic and professional careers to the justice sector, she possesses a keen understanding of the overall criminal justice system.
Her body of work is international in scope. She has participated in a wide array of criminal justice reform projects and prison studies, both domestically in the USA and abroad (e.g., Australia, Canada, Europe, Central and South America), resulting in worldwide expertise and a deep understanding of correctional best practices, prison operations, and innovative models for offender management and intervention.
In her current role as a Justice and Civic Sector Planning Leader for DLR Group she is responsible for planning and programming multiple correctional facilities that are holistic in their approach, preserve human rights, promote rehabilitation, healing, and treatment, are safe and humane, and focused on innovative operational and programmatic models for positive behavioral change and successful re-entry.
Whether as volunteer, collaborator, or lobbyist, she is actively involved with different international organizations that share the common goal of advancing the field of criminal justice and improving conditions of confinement for individuals deprived of liberty. She has an on-going collaboration with the UN Friends of Corrections and Penal Reform International (PRI) on issues related to the humanization of prisons, monitoring of detention practices, and improvement of incarceration conditions.
Stephen Carter, Founder, Executive Vice President, CGL Companies, United States
Personal Bio
Stephen Carter is the Founder and Executive Vice President of CGL. Mr. Carter is personally involved in technical studies in the areas of needs assessment, operational and architectural programming, design review, program management, and policy evaluation, among others. In the area of international justice, Mr. Carter has advised the Governments of Argentina, Australia, Aruba, Bermuda, Canada, Ecuador, Israel, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Peru, United Kingdom, Romania, United Arab Emirates, the Republic of South Africa, the Republic of Georgia, Singapore, Trinidad Tobago, and Venezuela. Mr. Carter was a founding Board Member, and past Treasurer of the International Corrections and Prisons Association. He has served as Chairman of the American Correctional Association Facility Design Committee, as Chairman of the ACA Exemplary Practices Council, and was Chairman of the ICPA Planning and Design Network. Mr. Carter writes a regular column on trends in corrections for the Correctional News periodical and is a frequent contributor to the AIA Knowledge Communities periodicals. He continues to serve as a guest speaker or lecturer in a variety of academic, professional, and international forums. Mr. Carter received his bachelor’s degree in architecture from Clemson University and his master’s degree in urban design and planning from the Architectural Association, London, England. Additional post-graduate studies were completed in Economics at the London School of Economics, in Transportation Planning at Imperial College, and in Sociology at the University of South Carolina.
2.45pm – 3.15pm GMT+03:00
Enable the Future - Transforming Prisons in England and Wales (PID061)
Enable the Future - Transforming Prisons in England and Wales (PID061)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This session will focus on the new transformational plans for changing staff training, development and improving culture in prisons in England and Wales.
Originating from a range of practitioner experience and academic evidence, the ‘Enable’ programme is an ambitious system-wide, national project to build positive, pro-social and boundaried relationships between prison officers and prisoners in over 100 prisons. This will be done by better training, development and leadership opportunities for prison officers. It will facilitate more stable, safer prison environments that ultimately will lead to a reduction in reoffending and protection of the public.
The workshop will recap the underpinning rationale for reform; describe the programme's main components; examine three core challenges and questions it faces; and show the early findings from the very first 'early adopter' prisons. It will offer attendees the opportunity to understand the latest thinking and experience of a significant prison reform programme for staff in England and Wales, and identify opportunities for application of learning to fellow prison systems.
Dominic Herrington, Executive Director, Transforming Delivery, His Majesty's Prisons and Probation Service, Ministry of Justice, United Kingdom
Personal Bio
Dominic Herrington is Executive Director of the Transforming Delivery Directorate in His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), which is part of the Ministry of Justice for England and Wales. The Directorate is responsible for future operational strategy for the prison system in England and Wales. Dominic is also a member of HMPPS Senior Corporate Leadership Team. He oversees key national workforce transformation programmes in the training, development and wellbeing of prison officers, and their managers and leaders. He wrote, and oversees, the HMPPS People Strategy (2025-30) and chairs its People Board, which oversees work across the prison and probation services.
This conference session will focus on a key aspect of staff training, development and improving culture. Originating from a range of practitioner experience and academic evidence, Dominic leads the ‘Enable’ programme, an ambitious system-wide, national project to build positive, pro-social and boundaried relationships between prison officers and prisoners in over 100 prisons. This will facilitate stable, safer prison environments that ultimately will lead to a reduction in reoffending and protection of the public. Dominic’s previous senior professional experience was in leading national level reform in the national school system at the Ministry of Education in England, where he received a national honour for his services.
Workplace Safety and Resilience in the Irish Prison Service: Policy, People, and Practice (PID205)
Workplace Safety and Resilience in the Irish Prison Service: Policy, People, and Practice (PID205)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
The Irish Prison Service (IPS) has developed a comprehensive staff focused approach to workplace safety and resilience, integrating policy, people-centered initiatives, and practical interventions. Through the Employee Assistance Programme, peer support networks, and psychological safety measures, IPS ensures accessible mental health support. The Critical Incident Stress Management model enhances emotional preparedness and recovery. Initiatives like the Amber Flag and structured wellbeing training promote a positive workplace culture. Cross-departmental collaboration embeds resilience into operations, while new educational pathways professionalize staff support roles. By prioritizing staff wellbeing, IPS sets a progressive standard for correctional systems worldwide, fostering a sustainable and effective workforce.
Mark Callanan, Governor, Irish Prison Service, Ireland
Personal Bio
Governor Mark Callanan is a senior manager within the Irish Prison Service and currently serves as head of the Irish Prison Service College. With a solid background in healthcare and emergency services, he brings a wealth of experience to prison service management. Mark has a strong foundation in workforce development, operations management, and crisis response, and is recognized for driving innovation in high-stakes environments.
His career highlights include leading volunteer coordination efforts, managing risk across complex systems, and responding to major incidents—including national pandemic deployments. In his current role, he oversees the training and professional development of Irish Prison Service staff, championing a culture of safety, continuous improvement, and psychological resilience.
His current focus and remit centers on building capacity and supporting staff through evidence-informed leadership and strategic collaboration.
Empowering Women on Their Journey to Health & Wellness: Introduction to the SAFE Mobile Health App (PID196)
Empowering Women on Their Journey to Health & Wellness: Introduction to the SAFE Mobile Health App (PID196)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Wellness is often a privilege of middle- and upper-class individuals due to economic, structural, and cultural barriers. Wellness practices like fitness, therapy, and nutritional care require time, money, and access that many lower-income, including those on community supervision people lack. Yet, health is a human right, and equitable wellness access can reduce disparities, improve public health, and foster social inclusion (World Health Organization, 2017).
In response to this need, the Self-Assessment for Fem/powerment (SAFE) mobile app, developed by Dr. Emily Salisbury and Interactive Life, Inc., was created to support justice-involved women. Many such women face barriers to wellness due to cost, time constraints, or lack of digital access. Further, because women are frequently motivated to change for the benefit of their children and families (Kennedy et al., 2020), empowering them to first improve their personal wellness is essential.
The SAFE app enables users to assess themselves across eight wellness domains (e.g., Physical, Spiritual, Emotional, Sexual, Social, Financial, Intellectual, & Environmental) and access free online interventions, including micro-skills created by Dr. Stephanie Covington. It links with the Women’s Risk Needs Assessment (WRNA) and supports case managers to use alongside clients to improve motivation. The workshop will discuss the importance of women's well-being and health as it relates to their recidivism, and demonstrate the SAFE app for improved understanding.
Dr. Emily Salisbury, Associate Professor, University of Utah, United States
Personal Bio
Emily Salisbury, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Utah Criminal Justice Center at the University of Utah College of Social Work. She is trained as an applied criminologist and focuses her research on correctional policy, risk/needs assessment, and treatment intervention strategies, with a particular focus on system-involved women, gender-responsive practices, and trauma-responsive care. As a result of her scholarship on behalf of women, she was awarded the Marguerite Q. Warren and Ted B. Palmer Differential Intervention Award from the American Society of Criminology Division on Corrections and Sentencing, as well as the University of Utah Presidential Societal Impact Scholar Award. In addition, she serves as a Commissioner on the Council of Criminal Justice Women’s Justice Commission—a national policy and research group in the United States. Dr. Salisbury is a co-creator and Research Director of the Women’s Risk Needs Assessment (WRNA) instruments that were specifically designed to focus on the risk, needs, and strengths of system-involved women. The WRNA has been implemented in over 100 international and domestic jurisdictions. For five years, she also served as Editor-in-Chief of Criminal Justice and Behavior, a top research and policy journal focused on correctional rehabilitation. Lastly, Dr. Salisbury is co-author of the book, Correctional Counseling and Rehabilitation, currently in its 10th edition.
Dr. Stephanie Covington, Co-Director, Center for Gender & Justice, USA
Personal Bio
Dr. Stephanie S. Covington is an internationally recognized clinician, author, organizational consultant, and lecturer. She is a pioneer in the fields of addiction, trauma, and recovery. She has developed an innovative, gender-responsive, and trauma-informed approach that results in effective services in public, private, and institutional settings. Her presentations, staff-development seminars, and technical assistance focus on systems change and the development of caring, compassionate, and empowering therapeutic environments. They provide professionals an opportunity to learn new skills for dealing with personal, institutional, and societal changes and are always in demand, both nationally and internationally.
Dr. Covington was a workshop chair for the women’s treatment improvement protocol (TIP) published by The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and served on the Advisory Council for Women’s Services for SAMHSA. She also is a former chair of the Women's Committee of the International Council on Alcoholism and Addiction. Her clients include the Betty Ford Treatment Center, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment in Washington, D.C., and numerous others. She has conducted seminars for behavioral health professionals, community organizations, criminal justice professionals, and recovery groups in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Europe, Africa, Iceland, Brazil, and New Zealand.
For twenty-five years, she also has provided training and consulting to help institutions and programs in the criminal justice system develop effective gender-responsive and trauma-informed services. These include the Federal Bureau of Prisons; the National Institute of Corrections; the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; many other state and local jurisdictions; the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime; the Ministries of Justice in England, Scotland, and Switzerland; and the Correctional Service of Canada. She was the featured consultant and therapist on the Oprah Winfrey Network docu-reality show entitled Breaking Down the Bars. She also is the co-author of a three-year research project, Gender-Responsive Strategies: Research, Practice, and Guiding Principles for Women Offenders, for the National Institute of Corrections. This publication received the University of Cincinnati Award for its outstanding contribution to the field of corrections in the U.S. and Canada. Based in La Jolla, California, Dr. Covington is co-director of the Institute for Relational Development and the Center for Gender & Justice, which seeks to expand gender-responsive policies and practices for individuals under criminal justice supervision.
Educated at Columbia University and the Union Institute, Dr. Covington has served on the faculties of the University of Southern California, San Diego State University, and the California School of Professional Psychology. She is a board-certified Diplomate of the National Association of Social Workers and the American Board of Sexology and is a member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy and the American Psychological Association.
Among the many articles and books written by Dr. Covington is the best-selling recovery book, A Woman's Way through the Twelve Steps. She also has published trauma-focused training materials for staff development and organizational change as well as ten gender-responsive and trauma-informed programs that include curriculum manuals for facilitators and complementary materials for participants.
Breaking Point: Understanding What Drives Staff Turnover in Juvenile Corrections (PID040)
Breaking Point: Understanding What Drives Staff Turnover in Juvenile Corrections (PID040)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Staff turnover in juvenile correctional facilities is a persistent and costly challenge that threatens the stability and effectiveness of youth justice systems nationwide. High attrition disrupts programming, weakens staff-youth relationships, and increases burnout among remaining personnel. This presentation investigates the organizational and contextual drivers of turnover, with a focus on the impact of aggregate youth risk levels, physical restraints, and critical incidents. Using monthly administrative data from nine juvenile residential programs in Florida, the study analyzes how fluctuations in incidents such as assaults, contraband, and injuries predict staff departures. Findings highlight key stressors facing frontline staff and offer practical implications for improving workforce stability through revised staffing models, targeted support, and risk-informed facility management.
Dr. Kevin Wolff, Associate Professor, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, United States
Personal Bio
Kevin T. Wolff is an associate professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. He earned his PhD from the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida State University. Professor Wolff’s research interests include childhood maltreatment, alternatives to incarceration, dynamic risk assessment, program evaluation, and quantitative research methods. Recent research projects on the importance of treatment matching and reducing dynamic risk among juvenile justice involved youth have been funded by the National Institute of Justice. In recognition of his contribution to the discipline, Dr. Wolff received The Feliks Gross Award from The City University of New York and the Tory J. Caeti Memorial Award from The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.
Risks and Wellbeing for Prison Officers: Job Strain and State of Mind In Romanian Prison Service (PID031)
Risks and Wellbeing for Prison Officers: Job Strain and State of Mind In Romanian Prison Service (PID031)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Prison staff works in an organizational setting which is considered dangerous and aggressive and quite often does not get the deserved recognition. They have a high-risk occupation considering the psychological risks caused by the dual demands of regular exposure to operational stressors (often traumatic) and a highly bureaucratized organizational system. Work affects their health and functioning and exposes them over long periods to major incidents such as death, violence, harassment, personal attacks.
Workplace stressors, such as interpersonal conflicts with colleagues and superiors, inadequate salary, training or career advancement, lack of equipment or defective equipment, bureaucracy, have all been associated with stress outcomes.
A look on the results of the research done by the trade union with the involvement of prison administration in Romania, in the last 10 years, can answer to questions related the state of mind of prison officers and to identify factors of pressure and resources available at the workplace.
Adrian Neagoe, Vicepresident, National Trade Union of Prison Policemen, Romania
Personal Bio
Adrian is the Vice-president of the largest prison policemen trade union in Romania, at the same time representing as president the prison policemen that works in the headquarter of the Romanian prison police.In his capacity as vice-president, he organizes the international relation and projects implemented by the trade union organization, being an experienced project manager with a demonstrated history of working in the prison service for 25 years. He holds a university degree in Sociology and a master’s in management.
3.45pm – 4.15pm GMT+03:00
Recommendations for Efficient, Secure, and Structural Prison Design: A Step Toward Promoting Wellbeing in Incarceration (PID065)
Recommendations for Efficient, Secure, and Structural Prison Design: A Step Toward Promoting Wellbeing in Incarceration (PID065)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Within the two-year project, the structural and technical conditions of the former 23 Austrian prisons were analysed to develop standards for modern and sustainable prison design. The significant structural diversity-ranging from new buildings to listed historic structures-has so far posed a challenge for implementing uniform modernization measures.
Nine selected prisons were examined in detail using qualitative methods, on-site inspections, and plan analyses. The focus was placed on the needs of all user groups: management, staff, and inmates.
Based on the findings, a catalogue of measures and practical planning recommendations was developed. Key areas of emphasis included wellbeing, prison design, green spaces, digitalisation, and social spaces.
Furthermore, a dedicated study of unaccompanied pathways was conducted, providing deeper insight into the spatial and organizational structures of Austrian prisons. This study focused on the specific use case of ‘unaccompanied paths’ to investigate factors and dependencies influencing the implementation of this concept. The aim was to categorise the interactions of these factors, identify dependencies, and clarify the responsibilities of decision-makers regarding resocialisation and sustainable security.
Dr. Hildegard Sint, Academic and Research Staff, University of Applied Sciences Campus Vienna, Austria
Personal Bio
Since 2019, Hildegard Sint has been a full-time lecturer and researcher at the Department of Building and Design at the University of Applied Sciences Campus Vienna, teaching on the Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in Architecture – Green Building. Her work focuses on interdisciplinary methods, participatory design, and critical engagement with building typologies and precarious housing. Hildegard Sint leads and participates in research projects on architecture and security, has published widely, and organises academic events. She is also responsible for coordinating the international exchange of academic staff and students.
FH-Prof. Mag. Claudia Körmer, Academic Staff, University of Applied Sciences Campus Vienna, Austria
Personal Bio
Claudia Körmer has been engaged in research and teaching in Risk and Safety Management at University of Apllied Sciences Campus Vienna since 2014. A sociologist by training, she leads and implements national and international social science projects, including studies on economic and industrial espionage, corporate security in the D-A-CH region, and further security research projects. Prior to joining FH Campus Wien, she spent 17 years at the Austrian Road Safety Board, focusing on traffic safety, accident prevention, and crime prevention.
Disability Justice and the Nelson Mandela Rules: Rethinking Mainstream in Custodial Settings (PID144)
Disability Justice and the Nelson Mandela Rules: Rethinking Mainstream in Custodial Settings (PID144)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
The visibility of prisoners with disabilities is increasing worldwide, yet justice systems continue to struggle with accurate identification, meaningful support, and effective rehabilitation. With growing global momentum for reform, now is the time to rethink how justice systems engage with disability.
Backed by global research occurring with support from the Winston Churchill Trust, this presentation will deliver a thought-provoking exploration of international Disability Justice models, offering fresh insights into how custodial settings can embed humane, inclusive practices aligned with the Nelson Mandela Rules.
Drawing on findings from the Australian Disability Royal Commission, this session will uncover systemic failures that prevent equitable treatment in justice settings—from ineffective screening and identification processes to the evidence of disproportionate use of solitary confinement. Queensland’s reform efforts will be highlighted, alongside global perspectives that help shape practical solutions for disability-inclusive justice.
This session is more than an exploration of policy — it’s a call to action for justice professionals, advocates, and policymakers to drive meaningful change. Through a collaborative and solutions-focused dialogue, we will examine key barriers, share best practices, and move beyond outdated approaches to incarceration and rehabilitation for individuals with disabilities.
Join us as we reimagine disability-inclusive justice and work toward a system that challenges outdated thinking and culture, while prioritising dignity, meaningful support, and effective intervention.
Daniel Pollock, Statewide Manager, Queensland Corrective Services, Australia
Personal Bio
Daniel Pollock believes justice systems should provide a unique opportunity for meaningful change. The increasing number of people with disabilities in these systems highlights the need to reconsider traditional incarceration models, which often fail to address the specific challenges faced by this cohort or equip them with skills to reduce recidivism.
After a longstanding career committed to complex human services, including child protection, youth justice, forensic disability and mental health – Daniel is now at the helm and leading transformative change for Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) for incarcerated individuals with a disability. As Manager of QCS Disability Services and drawing on his background in front line practice, specialist advisory roles and systems reform, Daniel is exploring new approaches and models to change culture and thinking about disability within custodial settings.
Daniel holds a Bachelor of Psychology and Business Management from the University of Queensland, followed by postgraduate studies in Criminology (Forensic Disability) at the University of Melbourne.
In 2024, his dedication to advancing disability justice earned him a Winston Churchill Trust Fellowship, allowing him to travel internationally and examine global models and best practices within disability justice. Through his research and international engagements, Daniel is developing an evidence-based framework to ensure that people with disabilities who encounter the justice system receive tailored, informed, and best-practice support. By integrating academic theory with real-world experience, he is driving progressive change that will shape policies and practices in Queensland, ensuring justice systems are more inclusive and responsive to diverse needs.
Towards Safer Custody: A Systematic Review of Interventions Aimed at Preventing Unexpected Deaths Custody in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand (PID129)
Towards Safer Custody: A Systematic Review of Interventions Aimed at Preventing Unexpected Deaths Custody in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand (PID129)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Unexpected deaths in custody remain persistent in custodial settings. Current prevention strategies and interventions are centred around the leading cause of death, self-harm and suicide. The inclusion of unexpected deaths in custody not related to self-harm and suicide highlights the need for efforts to co-design prevention strategies for such deaths.
The focus of this study on Australia, Canada and New Zealand highlights the persistent and sustained over representation of First Nations peoples in carceral systems and strengthens the evidence around the need for culturally appropriate therapeutic initiatives. Our synthesis included upstream strategies and procedural approaches, as well as perspectives from those with lived experience of incarceration, correctional staff and emergency physicians. Peer support programs have potential to reduce deaths from self-harm or suicide. Such programs must include clear objectives, sustainable resourcing, and provide net benefits to both individual ‘at risk’ who receive support and the peers who provide that support.
Our findings underscore the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of prevention strategies to reduce unexpected deaths in custody. Previous evaluations, although scarce, have shown the adoption of effective psychiatric practices can reduce suicide related deaths in custody. In the absence of such evaluations, it is unclear whether current efforts are achieving their intended outcomes. Of concern is the dearth of evidence or policies around other causes of deaths. In this context, training to frontline staff and building cross sectoral communication to better meet the needs of emergency healthcare in custodial settings is crucial and requires sustainable investment.
Dr. Jo Taylor, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Newcastle, Australia
Personal Bio
Dr Jo Taylor is a dedicated Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Newcastle. She is a highly accomplished mixed methods, public health specialist who has made significant contributions to improving the health outcomes and wellbeing of vulnerable populations and communities, including Aboriginal women in contact with the criminal justice system. Dr Taylor’s research is distinguished by her multidisciplinary and collaborative partnering with government and non-government organisations, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, consumer groups and community. Her research centres on critical issues such as health equity and access, co-design, models of service delivery, health systems, innovative care models, prevention strategies, implementation, effectiveness and evaluation. Dr Taylor's research has led to significant improvements in healthcare practices and policies, particularly for vulnerable populations, through innovative public health strategies and collaborative projects. Collaborating with esteemed partners such as the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Corrective Services NSW, Cancer Council NSW and Cancer Council Victoria. Jo's research delivers high-quality, tangible outcomes that impact communities and healthcare systems. Dr Taylor has also made contributions to the Global Burden of Disease studies that informs future policy, resource allocation and health systems planning.
Professor Elizabeth Sullivan, Professor of Health Equity, University of Newcastle, Australia
Personal Bio
Professor Elizabeth Sullivan is an accomplished public health physician, medical epidemiologist, and executive leader with extensive academic and professional qualifications. She holds degrees in medicine and public health from the University of Sydney and UNSW and has completed advanced leadership and management training. Professor Sullivan is a Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine and the Epidemic Intelligence Service at the CDC in the USA.
Professor Sullivan is particularly passionate about equity, diversity, and inclusion. Her strategic leadership in health services research has focused on improving healthcare in custody, addressing the criminalization of poverty, and advocating for women in prison. Working as the Clinical Research Lead Custodial Health, Senior Staff Specialist, Professor Sullivan has a strategic leadership role in Custodial Health Research and is a research leader on NHMRC, Justice Health and CSNSW projects. Currently, she is leading various JHFMHN projects on deaths in custody, oral health in juveniles, management of methamphetamine use, and a scoping project on IPV; and NHMRC-funded culturally safe care for Aboriginal women in custody, evaluation of new mother & children program & transitional care programs. She is the Acting Chair of the Corrective Services NSW Women’s Advisory Panel and a medical Member of the Corrective Services NSW Ethics Committee. She has been awarded over 21 M with 280+ publications and reports and has a track record of delivering impactful research.
Dr. Tazeen Majeed, Deputy Head of School-Postgraduate Coursework & Inter-Faculty Education, University of Newcastle, Australia
Personal Bio
Dr Tazeen Majeed is committed to transforming healthcare for vulnerable populations through research, education, and policy advocacy. Her work addresses systemic barriers in healthcare access, with a focus on reforming correctional health programs and supporting marginalised groups, including women, youth, and justice-involved populations. Collaborating with national and international experts, Dr Majeed's research aims to inform policy discussions, contributing meaningfully to health equity initiatives. Central to her research approach is the co-design of healthcare solutions for people involved with justice systems—engaging communities to ensure that interventions are inclusive, culturally responsive, and sustainable.
3.45pm – 4.30pm GMT+03:00
ICPA’s Practice Transfer Advisory Committee Workshop: 2025 Focus on Peer Mentoring and Peer Support in Correctional Practice (PID304)
ICPA’s Practice Transfer Advisory Committee Workshop: 2025 Focus on Peer Mentoring and Peer Support in Correctional Practice (PID304)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Lived experience is being increasingly recognized as an indispensable form of expertise that builds trust, strengthens desistance, and enhances positive re-entry outcomes. We will be featuring practices from the USA and from our host country Türkiye. Included will be a presentation from the founder and now CEO of the nationally recognized Louisiana Parole Project which provides advocacy and re-entry support to men and women who the Louisiana Parole Project refers to as “deserving of redemption”. The Directorate General of Prisons and Detention Houses in Türkiye will present their range of initiatives intended to support the involvement of persons with lived experience.
Frank Porporino, Ph.D., Corrections & Criminal Justice Consultant, IACFP & ICPA, Canada
Personal Bio
Frank Porporino has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and has sustained a close to 50-year career in corrections as a front-line practitioner, senior manager, researcher, educator, trainer, and consultant. Frank has promoted evidence-informed practice throughout his career and his contributions have been recognized with awards from a number of associations including the ACA, ICCA, Volunteers of America and the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA). Frank’s public sector career began in 1974 as a psychologist in Canada’s oldest maximum-security prison, Kingston Penitentiary. He went on to establish the Research Branch of Corrections Canada, an internationally recognized leader in applied research in corrections that has recently celebrated its 35th Anniversary. In 1993, Frank co-founded T3 Associates Consulting Inc. in order to provide research-based training and technical assistance to correctional jurisdictions and social service agencies internationally. He has remained active providing training and technical assistance in effective practice in over 25 countries, most recently in Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Japan and Namibia. Frank was also a founding member of the HMMPS Correctional Services Accreditation Panel, a best practice review committee that was subsequently emulated by many jurisdictions internationally. Currently, Frank is serving as Editor of the ICPA practitioner-oriented Journal, Advancing Corrections, Chair of the ICPA R&D Network, member of the ICPA Practice Transfer Advisory Committee and Board Member of the ICPA-North America Chapter. He has been a member of many ACA Committees, was a past member of the ICPA Board of Directors and is also Past-President of the International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology (IACFP).
ICPA Network on External Prison Oversight and Human Rights (PID301)
ICPA Network on External Prison Oversight and Human Rights (PID301)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
The Expert Network on External Prison Oversight & Human Rights boasts over 200 participants who subscribe to our emails and newsletters from 32 countries. More than half are members of ICPA. Through the ICPA, this network seeks to facilitate a constructive and professional dialogue between organisations responsible for external prison oversight and prison authorities subject to their oversight. Network initiatives include the circulation of a periodic newsletter and the sharing of resources, employment opportunities, and news pertinent to our members. The purpose of this session is to provide an update on our network activities to date, to recruit new members, and to answer any questions you may have.
Dr. Ivan Zinger, Correctional Investigator, Canada's Office of the Correctional Investigator, Canada
Personal Bio
Dr. Ivan Zinger received his degree in Common Law from the University of Ottawa in 1992, and completed his articles of clerkship at the Federal Court of Canada. In 1999, he obtained his Ph.D. at Carleton University (Ottawa) in the Psychology of Criminal Conduct. He is an Adjunct Professor with the Law Department at Carleton University. On January 1, 2017, Dr. Zinger was appointed as Correctional Investigator of Canada and was reappointed for another 5-year term in January 2023. Dr. Zinger also launched the expert network on External Prison Oversight & Human Rights in 2017 under the governance of the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA). In October 2023, he received the Head of Service Award from the International Corrections and Prison Association for his tireless efforts to improve conditions of confinement and for championing dignified treatment of prisoners.
4.15pm – 4.45pm GMT+03:00
Rethinking Prison Design: Health, Well-being, and a Framework for Systemic Change (PID127)
Rethinking Prison Design: Health, Well-being, and a Framework for Systemic Change (PID127)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
What if prisons could do more than contain—what if they could heal, support, and transform?
This presentation invites delegates to explore a bold and timely reimagining of prison design, where the well-being of people who live and work in custody is placed at the heart of institutional purpose. Based on the international research behind the 2022 Routledge book Health and Well-being in Prison Design, this session introduces a practical framework for designing prisons that promote health, rehabilitation, and human dignity.
This presentation invites delegates to explore a bold and timely reimagining of prison design, where the well-being of people who live and work in custody is placed at the heart of institutional purpose. Based on the international research behind the 2022 Routledge book Health and Well-being in Prison Design, this session introduces a practical framework for designing prisons that promote health, rehabilitation, and human dignity.
Drawing on fieldwork conducted in Chile, the USA, Norway, and Finland—as well as insights from UN and WHO advisors—Dr Alberto Urrutia-Moldes will unpack how different prison systems define and apply (or overlook) health and well-being in the design process. The findings reveal a persistent disconnect between stated rehabilitative goals and the lived reality of prison environments.
The session also identifies six essential dimensions for driving change in prison design, including decision-making, operational transparency, and the strategic use of light, space, and coherence.
Whether you're an architect, policymaker, academic, or practitioner working in justice or health, this talk offers a unique lens on how design decisions reflect—and shape—societal values. Join us to discover how architecture can become a driver for systemic change and more humane, effective prison systems.
Dr. Alberto Urrutia-Moldes, Researcher and Lecturer, University of Westminster, United Kingdom
Personal Bio
Dr Alberto Urrutia-Moldes is the author of Health and Well-being in Prison Design: A Theory of Prison Systems and Framework for Evolution (Routledge, 2022), a book that offers a bold rethinking of how prisons are conceived, designed, and evaluated. Drawing on international research and interdisciplinary theory, the work proposes a new framework that places human health and well-being at the heart of prison system development.
In this session, Dr Urrutia-Moldes will share how the research behind the book was designed, conducted, and executed, outlining the challenges of studying diverse carceral environments across different national contexts. He will explain how the findings were translated into a comprehensive and practical framework for reimagining prison design—from the institutional level to the architectural scale.
In this session, Dr Urrutia-Moldes will share how the research behind the book was designed, conducted, and executed, outlining the challenges of studying diverse carceral environments across different national contexts. He will explain how the findings were translated into a comprehensive and practical framework for reimagining prison design—from the institutional level to the architectural scale.
With over 15 years of professional experience in prison architecture, including leadership roles in Chile’s prison service and consultancy work advising prison systems internationally, Dr Urrutia-Moldes bridges theory and practice. Now a Lecturer and Researcher at the University of Westminster, his work speaks to professionals, policymakers, and academics seeking new ways to align justice, architecture, and human dignity.
This session will be of interest to anyone engaged in justice reform, institutional design, and the future of incarceration. It invites critical reflection on how built environments shape the experiences, health, and futures of those who live and work within them.
Dying in Prison: Advancing End-of-Life Care, Staff Support, and Systemic Reform Through Death Cafes and Advance Care Planning in a U.S. Women’s Prison (PID175)
Dying in Prison: Advancing End-of-Life Care, Staff Support, and Systemic Reform Through Death Cafes and Advance Care Planning in a U.S. Women’s Prison (PID175)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This presentation highlights an innovative end-of-life care initiative at the Washington Corrections Center for Women, developed in partnership with medical staff and the incarcerated peer-led HOPE Team. The project includes Death Cafes, Advance Care Planning education, and staff training on grief, palliative care, and chronic illness management. As the incarcerated population ages—particularly among women—correctional systems face critical gaps in providing dignified care for those nearing the end of life. This program addresses wellbeing across three dimensions: incarcerated individuals gain space to discuss death and plan for their futures; systemic reforms support trauma-informed, culturally grounded care; and the emotional and professional impacts on correctional and medical staff are addressed through tools and training that promote grief processing and resilience. Aligned with the Nelson Mandela Rules, the Bangkok Rules, and global standards, this project presents a replicable model for promoting dignity, autonomy, and healing inside prisons.
Tosha Big Eagle, Outreach Coordinator and Research Support Specialist, Washington State University, United States
Personal Bio
Tosha Big Eagle is a justice-impacted Indigenous Ph.D. student in the Prevention Science program at Washington State University Vancouver (WSUV). She currently serves as the Outreach Coordinator and Research Support Specialist for the PRISOM Collaborative at WSU’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. Her research interests include health equity, harm reduction, mass incarceration, gender development, aging, death education, and Indigenous Ways of Knowing. Tosha earned her undergraduate degree in human development, psychology, and addiction studies from WSUV in 2022. Her academic focus is grounded in lived experience, including overcoming childhood trauma, addiction, mental health challenges, and incarceration.
She has the honor of collaborating with the HOPE Team, a grassroots health initiative at the Washington Corrections Center for Women. Together, they are developing an intergenerational elder care program for aging women in prison. This work includes training correctional staff and peer caregivers to facilitate Death Cafes and advocate for equity in end-of-life care within carceral systems. Through all her efforts, Tosha is committed to community-based, culturally grounded research that advances justice, healing, and systems change. Beyond her academic and professional life, her most important role is being a mother to two beautiful children, ages 7 and 3, and a wife to her husband and partner.
L. Elizabeth Shatswell, Academic Partner and Project Manager, University of Puget Sound, United States
Personal Bio
L. Elizabeth Shatswell is the Co-Founder of the HOPE team, an intergenerational healthcare initiative at the Washington Correctional Center for Women, and a consultant with the University of Washington – Vancouver, on the ongoing Caged Death project. Additionally, she is the Correctional Education Manager with JSTOR Labs, ITHAKA. She is also an active Academic Partner and Project Manager at the University of Puget Sound, where her research focuses on education and healthcare. She strongly advocates for storytelling's transformative power and believes community is created through the sharing of our collective tales. She regularly volunteers with the Campaign for Fair Youth Sentencing to shed light on the impact of juvenile life sentences.
Elizabeth is a justice-impacted individual, an alumnus of the Freedom Education Project Puget Sound (FEPPS), the Sunshine Lady Foundation, and the University of Puget Sound. She holds three associate degrees, one each in Education, Liberal Arts, and Business Administration, as well as a Bachelor of Science concentration on Religion and Bioethics. Additionally, she is a certified Braille Transcriptionist and Yoga Instructor. She plans to pursue a dual MBA/MPH graduate program in the coming year.
Layers of Risk: Understanding Use of Force Through the Swiss Cheese Model (PID233)
Layers of Risk: Understanding Use of Force Through the Swiss Cheese Model (PID233)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
The Confederation of European Probation (CEP) works to strengthen probation services across Europe by fostering connection, supporting staff professionalisation, and raising the profile of probation in the criminal justice system.
Through a range of Expert Groups CEP provides a platform for knowledge exchange and innovation. Expert Groups are focused on topics that are vital to the CEP members. These expert groups address areas such as mental health, electronic monitoring, technology in probation, gender-based violence, communication, caseload & workload, radicalisation, and research. Also, in collaboration with EuroPris, CEP addresses the needs of foreign nationals in prison and probation.
Additionally, there are two expert networks under the scope of CEP: one on EU Framework Decisions and another on education and training in probation.
The work and outcomes of these expert groups contribute significantly to supporting probation staff and the development of probation services across Europe. This presentation will showcase the most interesting new outputs emerging from these efforts with a focus on their impact on staff wellbeing and service development.
Sarah Ashcroft, Head of Operational Response and Resilience Unit and International Engagement Lead, HMPPS, England, United Kingdom
Personal Bio
Sarah Ashcroft serves as Head of the Operational Response and Resilience Unit and International Engagement Lead at His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). With extensive experience across multiple levels of the prison service, she plays a pivotal role in shaping national policy and operational readiness.
Sarah is responsible for Use of Force policy and oversees the deployment of the National Tactical Response Group—a specialist unit tasked with responding to the most challenging incidents in custody, including hostage situations. She co-authored the national vision for professional standards in Use of Force, published in Prison Service Journal, Issue 252, and continues to lead efforts to ensure safety, accountability, and resilience across the estate.
Dr. Grant Bosworth, Head of Insights and Assurance, Operational Response and Resilience Unit, HMPPS, England, United Kingdom
Personal Bio
Dr. Grant Bosworth leads the Insights and Assurance team at His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), overseeing the monitoring and assurance of Use of Force across adult and youth custodial settings in England and Wales. With a PhD in behavioural psychology and a background in research methods and economics, he encourages an evidence-based approach to prison research and assurance.
He has co-authored a vision for professional standards in Use of Force for HMPPS (Prison Service Journal, Issue 252) and led a first-of-its-kind review of over 160,000 incidents of force from 2018–2023, now published by the Ministry of Justice on gov.uk.
4.30pm – 5.15pm GMT+03:00
It Takes a Village: Centering Children and Families in Conversations on Incarceration and Well-Being (PID094)
It Takes a Village: Centering Children and Families in Conversations on Incarceration and Well-Being (PID094)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
What does it mean to grow up in the shadow of incarceration?
Annelyn, a daughter whose father was incarcerated, knows firsthand how a parent’s imprisonment shapes a child’s world—emotionally, socially, and structurally. This session sheds light on the often-overlooked impact of incarceration on families and children, not as passive victims, but as essential partners in successful reintegration.
Annelyn, a daughter whose father was incarcerated, knows firsthand how a parent’s imprisonment shapes a child’s world—emotionally, socially, and structurally. This session sheds light on the often-overlooked impact of incarceration on families and children, not as passive victims, but as essential partners in successful reintegration.
Drawing on Annelyn’s lived experience, alongside systemic insights and research-based evidence, the session challenges participants to reconsider what true justice and long-term support look like. It calls for a shift in perspective: from punishment alone to rebuilding relationships—because it not only takes a village to raise a child, but we all need one.
For corrections professionals, community workers, service providers, and justice practitioners, this is an invitation to reimagine the systems we build, and the communities we strengthen, together.
Annelyn Smit, Founder, Let's get loud!, Founder, Not My Crime NL, Netherlands
Personal Bio
Annelyn Smit had a father in prison and knows firsthand how incarceration affects far more than just the person behind bars. She works as a keynote speaker and trainer in prison systems, focusing on fatherhood and family relations. Her talks are known for their authenticity, emotional depth, and power.
She creates bridges between lived experience and professional reality, speaking straight to the heart while gently shifting perspectives. Through story, reflection, and a deep sense of humanity, she doesn’t just inform; she connects, uplifts, and transforms—all guided by one core belief: if justice is to work, we must include the people it affects the most.
Oliver Drews, Founder, Connection Hearts, CEO, Telio Group, Germany
Personal Bio
Oliver Drews is the Founder of the Connecting Hearts Foundation and CEO of Telio Group. With a diploma in economics from the University of Hamburg and a background in banking, Oliver’s journey took a deeply human turn over two decades ago when he chose to dedicate his life to the prison system—not just as a professional challenge, but as a mission to restore hope and dignity.
Oliver believes that prisons should be places of second chances. His efforts focus on innovative technologies that support reintegration and foster meaningful human connections, especially between incarcerated parents and their children.
His commitment to systemic change extends beyond business. Oliver has served on numerous voluntary committees, including as Head of the Startup Committee at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, Vice-President of Germany’s largest young entrepreneurs’ association, and long-time board member of Die Familienunternehmer, Germany’s foremost entrepreneur network. Since 2024, he has also been a board member of the ICPA European Chapter, championing collaboration between the public and private sectors to improve prison conditions.
In 2022, Oliver founded the Connecting Hearts Foundation to support children of inmates—those most vulnerable to the emotional toll of incarceration.
The Community Corrections Network (CCN) Meeting (PID320)
The Community Corrections Network (CCN) Meeting (PID320)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
The session will include sharing examples of public-private collaboration, as well as collaboration between NGOs and with government justice systems. Promising practices will be shared that are inclusive of families, potential employers, skills instruction, supportive housing and other community-based tools that promote/support desistance.
Linda Janes, Chief Operating Officer, Alvis, Inc. USA
Personal Bio
Linda Janes is the Chief Operating Officer at Alvis, Inc in Columbus, Ohio in the USA and serves as the ICPA Community Corrections Network Chairperson. She has more than 40 years of public and private sector experience. She was Assistant Director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) and Assistant Director of the Ohio Department of Youth Services before joining Alvis in 2017.
Linda oversees all client programming for the five services lines at Alvis. She is data-focused and practices outcome-driven decision-making. Linda presents extensively, writes numerous journal articles, and lends her expertise for media interviews.
Linda is the Immediate Past President of the Ohio Community Corrections Association (OCCA), the President of the Ohio Justice Alliance for Community Correction (OJACC), serves on the Ohio Public Defender Commission and on the American Correctional Association (ACA) Commission on Accreditation for Corrections. Linda us the Past Chair and current Board of Trustee member of the Community Housing Network.
Linda has earned the Barry Mastrine Award from the Franklin County ADAMH Board; Leadership Award and President’s Award from OCCA, Director’s Impact Award and Reginald Wilkinson Excellence in Management Award from ODRC, and Dr. Bennett J. Cooper Lifetime Achievement Award from OJACC.
4.45pm – 5.15pm GMT+03:00
Best Practice Prison Landscapes – Inspiration and Application of Design Principles (PID128)
Best Practice Prison Landscapes – Inspiration and Application of Design Principles (PID128)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
"Prison Landscape Design Principles", published by the University of Birmingham (UK), was influenced by prison landscape design solutions from within Australia and around the world. This joint presenation outlines best practice examples of prison landscape design in Australia through the lens of the design principles document. It includes methods for discussing and resolving perceived operational and security risks associated with landscape solutions. Additionally, the paper provides examples from around the world to offer a broader overall prison context.
The role of landscape design in prisons is multifaceted and plays a crucial part in shaping the environment within correctional facilities. Effective landscape design can significantly impact the intensity of the prison experience for persons in custody, staff, and visitors. By incorporating elements of biodiversity, trauma-informed design, and considerations for people with disabilities, neurodivergence, and different genders, landscape design can create a more humane and supportive environment.
In conclusion, the "Prison Landscape Design Principles" document provides valuable insights into how prison landscape can be best applied, and this presentation will showcase Australian and International examples to enhance the environment for people in custody, staff, and visitors.
Kavan Applegate, Director, Guymer Bailey Architects, Australia
Personal Bio
Kavan is the Chair of the ICPA Planning and Design Network and Director of Guymer Bailey Architects, specialising in specialist in justice and correctional architecture – therapeutic environments that facilitate rehabilitation, empower behavioural change and create a sense of hope to ultimately reduce recidivism rates and create a better, safer community for all.
Knowing that our environment has a profound effect on us, his passion is in harnessing the transformative effects of architecture to help people live better lives. Through the creative and sustainable use of building form and materials and the rehabilitative effects of daylight, Kavan believes architecture can significantly change the quality of life for those inhabiting its space. It is this ‘architecture of hope’ that he seeks to provide each day by delivering well planned, operationally effective and delight-filled masterplanning and building solutions.
Over the last 25 years, Kavan has led the design of many of Australia’s most innovative and iconic justice and correctional projects alongside our team including Hopkins Correctional Centre, Ravenhall Correctional Centre, Western Plains Correctional Centre, Rivergum Residential Treatment Centre, Southern Queensland Correctional Centre (St2), Southern Remand Correctional Centre, and the Thomas Embling Forensic Hospital Expansion as well as works in numerous other secure facilities.
As a Director of Guymer Bailey Architects, Kavan leads the exceptional architecture, landscape architecture and interior design team across our Melbourne and Brisbane Studios and overseeing our large-scale correctional projects.
The Norwegian Directorate of Correctional Services will hereby submit a presentation of the CAMEO Programme to the upcoming ICPA conference (PID211)
The Norwegian Directorate of Correctional Services will hereby submit a presentation of the CAMEO Programme to the upcoming ICPA conference (PID211)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
The Norwegian Directorate of Correctional Services will hereby submit a presentation of the CAMEO Programme to the upcoming ICPA conference. CAMEO stands for "Come and Meet Each Other» and is an activity initiative that aims to improve the living conditions of elderly inmates. The goal is to contribute to the inmates having more meaningful, dignified lives through positive experiences and activities. The Norwegian Directorate of Correctional Services will present the CAMEO Programme and the evaluation of the project. We believe the CAMEO Programme should become a permanent part of our services, enabling it to continue supporting the rehabilitation and reintegration of older inmates. This will not only benefit the individuals involved but also society, through reduced recidivism, improved quality of life, and a safer, more inclusive community.
In 2024, an evaluation project was carried out by VID Specialized University; “VID 2024/3: “An Evaluation and Impact Assessment Project”, focusing on the main research question: How does the CAMEO Programme affect older inmates’ perception of the prison environment, and how can the programme be further developed to better meet their needs and expectations? The report concludes that the programme has significantly improved the quality of life for older inmates. It has led to reduced isolation, improved physical and mental health, and a stronger sense of belonging and community.
Line Wilberg, Department Director, The Norwegian Correctional Directorate, Norway
Building a High-Performance Culture Through Competency, Connection and a Holistic Wellness Support Framework in the Singapore Prison Service (PID084)
Building a High-Performance Culture Through Competency, Connection and a Holistic Wellness Support Framework in the Singapore Prison Service (PID084)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This presentation outlines Singapore Prison Service (SPS)’s strategy for organisational excellence through staff recruitment and retention, training, and development of a lively and robust organisational culture.
To strengthen its workforce, SPS has enhanced its recruitment efforts through extensive publicity and outreach efforts, green harvesting, and internship programmes with tertiary institutions, creating sustained interest in corrections careers. Enhanced career development pathways, such as job rotations, seek to expose and strengthen our officers in different capacities.
To strengthen its workforce, SPS has enhanced its recruitment efforts through extensive publicity and outreach efforts, green harvesting, and internship programmes with tertiary institutions, creating sustained interest in corrections careers. Enhanced career development pathways, such as job rotations, seek to expose and strengthen our officers in different capacities.
There are also concerted efforts within SPS for a systemic and holistic approach in staff wellbeing. The PRISHealth framework takes on a broad approach to promote physical, social, mental, and financial wellness through various initiatives (e.g., events; talks) for fitter, healthier and happier workforce.
SPS’s comprehensive training framework combines operational excellence with soft skills development, supported by mentorship and leadership development programmes. SPS is fostering a coach-like culture to develop future-ready leaders, emphasising the integration of coaching mindsets and behaviours into daily work interactions.
Townhalls, Leadership Circles, and Mug Meet-ups are three key culture-building initiatives which serve multiple strategic purposes - from fostering organisational transparency and trust between leadership and ground staff, to creating informal networking spaces that strengthen cross-divisional relationships.
With these strategies, SPS has significantly transformed over the years from a custodial agency to a correctional service that supports the lives of offenders, and its staff spearheading the change.
Rashida Mohamed Zain, Senior Assistant Director, Principal Psychologist, Singapore Prison Service, Singapore
Personal Bio
Rashida Mohamed Zain is a Senior Assistant Director, Principal Psychologist, in the Operational Psychology Branch of the Psychological and Correctional Rehabilitation Division. Her branch oversees mental health and wellness initiatives, crisis intervention, and selection in the specialized units in SPS. Trained in Clinical Psychology, Rashida supervises her team in their staff counselling cases in providing psychotherapy to SPS staff with mental health challenges and supporting them through their personal crisis. Her branch oversees the CARE (Caring Action in Response to an Emergency) peer support system that provides critical crisis support to SPS staff. In ensuring relevance to current contexts, Rashida and her team are involved in research studies and evaluations to identify needs and intervention areas for a well-functioning workforce in the Singapore Prison Service.
Luke Leong, Superintendent, Tanah Merah Prison, Singapore Prison Service , Singapore
Personal Bio
Luke Leong is the Superintendent of Tanah Merah Prison, and he has been with the Singapore Prison Service since 2010. He has completed stints in operations and policy work, including postings with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is currently the Superintendent of Institution Tanah Merah, which houses Singapore’s Prison School.
Tuesday 28 October
9am – 10am GMT+03:00
Managing the Wicked Nature of Violence in Prison: A Look Through the PRISM (PID147)
Managing the Wicked Nature of Violence in Prison: A Look Through the PRISM (PID147)
Plenary Session
Abstract Summary
Violence risk assessment and management have improved remarkably over the past three decades. However, emphasis has been placed on the characteristics of the individual prisoner. Disturbed, disordered and distressed people are not violent merely because of who they are but also because of where they are—and how they are treated. By ignoring context, we ignore half of the equation; we overlook aspects of the problem that are often easier to manage and change than the entrenched characteristics of challenging individuals. I will discuss the origins and application of PRISM, a methodology for systematically understanding the impact of prison settings. This approach has been used in many countries and in many types of secure settings. I will describe some key lessons that can be derived from experience using this approach.
Professor David Cooke, Adjunct Professor, University of Waikato, New Zealand
Personal Bio
David Cooke is a Chartered Psychologist based in the United Kingdom. As a practising forensic clinical psychologist, his research has always had an applied as well as a theoretical orientation. He has published widely in peer-reviewed journals. He is the co-author of PRISM, an evidence-based process for the understanding of the violence in prison and other secure settings. David was head of Forensic Clinical Psychology services for Glasgow (1984-2007). He was Professor of Forensic Clinical Psychology at Glasgow Caledonian University (1992-2016; part-time). David has held positions as adjunct professor in the UK, Norway, Australia and New Zealand. David was President of the European Association of Psychology and Law between 2009-2012.
David has been a fellow of the British Psychological Society since 1986 and in 2004 was appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh – Scotland’s National Academy of Science and Letters. In 2006 he received the Senior Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to Forensic Psychology from the Division of Forensic Psychology of the British Psychological Society. In 2012 he received the Doctor of the University degree from the Armenian State University and the David the Invincible Medal from the Armenian Philosophical Academy. In 2018 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the European Association of Psychology and Law. David has provided workshops on institutional violence, violence risk assessment and psychopathic personality disorder in the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East, North America, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Armenia and the Caribbean.
10am – 10.30am GMT+03:00
Network Introductions
Network Introductions
Plenary Session
Natalie Boal, Executive Director, ICPA, Australia
Personal Bio
Natalie is a highly skilled and experienced leader, with over a decade of experience delivering complex and strategic projects for government with a focus on the human services sector. She has a strong track record of success in managing teams, driving change, and implementing significant reform projects.
Prior to taking on the role of Executive Director, ICPA, Natalie ran the South Australian Department for Correctional Services’ Strategic Policy, Projects, and Partnerships Unit. She has also been responsible for successfully delivering significant operational reforms within South Australia’s prison system. Natalie has formal qualifications in project management and is an expert in program and project management methodologies.
11am – 11.45am GMT+03:00
Inventing Corrections, Debating the Permissible in Punishment (PID236)
Inventing Corrections, Debating the Permissible in Punishment (PID236)
Plenary Session
Abstract Summary
Professor Resnik will chart the invention of the corrections profession that, since the 1800s, has called for improved living conditions for prisoners. For centuries, through corrections’ congresses and prison policies, legislation, and litigation, lines have been drawn between “permissible” and “impermissible” punishments. She excavates the first-ever international rules aiming to improve the treatment of prisoners, which the League of Nations adopted in 1934 as the Nazis rose to power.
Her trans-Atlantic account documents the impact of World War II, the United Nations, the U.S. Civil Rights movement, and of pioneering prisoners who insisted law protected them. In 1955, the United Nations issued revised Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners - the first international document to speak about prisoners’ “rights” and “dignity.” The 2010 Bangkok Rules and the 2015 Nelson Mandela Rules have pushed to give meaning to those propositions, as countries grabble with millions of detained people who have health and behavioral issues. Problems of funding, safety, and well-being abound. This talk is an invitation to think about the history of punishment, which is replete with changes; punishments once common (execution, whipping, transportation) have largely been abandoned. Organizations such as ICPA are pivotal in shaping new norms. As Professor Resnik explains, appreciating the interdependency of people in and out of prisons is key. Governments committed to equality should not set out to punish by ruining people economically or physically, which harms those in detention, those staffing prisons, and the communities that all of us are in.
Professor Judith Resnik, Arthur Liman Professor of Law, Yale Law School, United States
Personal Bio
Professor Judith Resnik is the Arthur Liman Professor of Law at Yale Law School, where she teaches courses on federalism, procedure, courts, prisons, equality, and citizenship. Her scholarship focuses on the relationship between democratic values of egalitarianism and the functions of government including its provision of services; the role of collective redress and class actions; contemporary conflicts over privatization; the relationships of states to citizens and noncitizens; the interaction among federal, state, and tribal courts; practices of punishment and the history of incarceration; and equality and gender. Resnik is the founding director of Yale’s Arthur Liman Center for Public Interest Law which, since 1997, has awarded year-long fellowships to more than 200 Yale Law School graduates and sponsors undergraduate programs at several universities and colleges. The Liman Center research projects include monographs on solitary confinement, a website, Seeing Solitary, and more. Resnik received a two-year Andrew Carnegie Fellowship for research on her book, Impermissible Punishments: How Prison Became a Problem for Democracy, available in the summer of 2025 from the University of Chicago Press. The book explores the trans-Atlantic development and infrastructure of a profession of “corrections;” the shaping of standards for the “treatment of prisoners;” the impact of World War II, the Holocaust, and the U.S. the civil rights revolution in enabling prisoners some success in gaining recognition of limits on the kinds of punishments government can, in a polity claiming to be committed to the equal status of its members, impose on individuals convicted of crimes; and the challenges of materializing that status in the face of security and community needs. Other books and articles include Representing Justice: Invention, Controversy and Rights in City-States and Democratic Courtrooms (Yale Press, 2011, reissued as an e-book 2022); the co-edited Federal Courts Stories (2009), and The Capital of and the Investments in Courts, State and Federal (NYU L. Rev, 2024). Resnik is also an occasional litigator, including in the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2018, she was awarded an honorary doctorate from University College of London; she has recently been reappointed as an honorary visiting professor there. Resnik has chaired the Association of American Law Schools’ Sections on Federal Courts, Procedure, and Women in Legal Education. She is a member of the American Philosophical Society, a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a Managerial Trustee of the International Association of Women Judges.
11.45am – 12.30pm GMT+03:00
Preserving Humanity in Crisis-Leading Correctional Systems Affected by Armed Conflict (PID213)
Preserving Humanity in Crisis-Leading Correctional Systems Affected by Armed Conflict (PID213)
Plenary Session
Abstract Summary
Leading a correctional system—delivering programs and fostering an environment that promotes the wellbeing of detainees and staff—is a significant challenge under any circumstances. This challenge is exponentially greater during armed conflict within a country. With over 130 armed conflicts currently ongoing worldwide, prison services, their staff, and detainees increasingly face the direct and harsh realities of war. Correctional systems affected by conflict often operate under extreme conditions characterized by infrastructure damage, resource scarcity, and heightened security concerns, all of which severely compromise the wellbeing of both detainees and staff. In such fragile environments, upholding humanity and ensuring the humane treatment and dignity of persons deprived of liberty is not only a moral imperative but also a binding legal obligation under International Law.
This panel will bring together Heads of Service from Ethiopia, Lebanon, Burkina Faso, and Ukraine to share their experiences leading correctional services during armed conflict. They will discuss how they and their teams have adapted professionally and personally to overcome unprecedented challenges to safeguard the wellbeing of detainees and staff. Designed as an interactive discussion, the panel will engage both the speakers and conference participants and will be moderated by the Head of the Persons Deprived of Liberty Unit at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Terry Hackett, Head of Unit, Persons Deprived of Liberty, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Switzerland
Personal Bio
Terry Hackett is the Head of the People Deprived of Liberty Unit at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva, a role he has held since February 2022. Prior to joining the ICRC in 2018 as a Prison System Adviser, Terry had a distinguished 22-year career with the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), culminating in his position as Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Correctional Operations (Pacific). Throughout his career, he has worked with detaining authorities in over 25 countries focusing on improving the treatment of detainees and conditions of detention in line with international standards. Terry holds a Master of Arts in Human Security and Peacebuilding from Royal Roads University, a Master of Advanced Studies in International Law in Armed Conflict from the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Trinity Western University. He has contributed to various academic publications and served as the keynote speaker for various international events including the International Corrections and Prisons Association Conference in 2022 and the African Correctional Services Association Conference (2023 & 2025).
Nikonishyn,Deputy Head, Department for the Execution of Criminal Sentences of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, Ukraine
Personal Bio
criminal justice. His work focuses on strengthening cooperation with international partners to enhance the institutional capacity of Ukraine’s penitentiary system and ensure implementation of international standards.
Before assuming his current role, Mr. Nikonishyn held the position of Deputy Director at the Department of International Relations within the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. Prior to that, he led the Department for European Integration and International Cooperation of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, where he played a key role in fostering international partnerships.
Mr. Nikonishyn has extensive experience in both public as well as private sectors, including roles in international economics, intellectual property, foreign economic activity, security organizations and regulatory oversight.
He holds two Master's degrees: one in Philology from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, and another in International Economics from Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman.
Sabila Sawadogo, Director General, Penitentiary Administration, Burkina Faso
Personal Bio
Mr. SABILA SAWADOGO, is the General Director of Penitentiary Administration of Burkina Faso since September 2023. After several years of service as Director of Prisons, including in high security contexts, he was appointed as Director of Planning at the General Directorate.
He initiated several reforms in the correctional services, such as regulatory norms, e-management of prisoners’ files, closer monitoring of improvement of the wellbeing of prisoners (etc.), despite the very constringent security context generated by the ongoing armed conflict for a decade. He has been working hand in hand and in confidential dialogue with the ICRC to improve detention conditions where needed.
While leading these changes, he remains very active at international and regional levels, especially within the African Correctional Services Association (ACSA) as Vice-Chair for West Africa since 2023. He attended many events related to prisons and corrections, such as the Workshop on Prison Infrastructure in Africa and the ICPA Conference. He has been recently nominated as the Focal Point Senior expert working on prison policies convergence within the AES (Sahel Countries Alliance) in May 2025.
Yenus Mulu Takele, Commissioner General, Ethiopian Federal Prison Commission (EFPC), Ethiopia
Personal Bio
Yenus Mulu joined the Ethiopian Federal Prison Commission (EFPC) in March 2024 after serving Ethiopian Defense Force at different functions and command stints for 33 years.
In 2008 graduated his a BA degree in Management and received a Scholarship for MA Degree to study Military Science in the Specialty of National Security Strategy. And he was awarded MA from the National Defense University of China in 2017.
Yenus Mulu during his career in Ethiopian National Defense Force attended different diploma and certificate course such as, advanced Diploma in Defense and Strategic Studies from China National Defense University, Diploma on International Intelligence Fellows program Course from USA National Defense Intelligence College in Washington D.C, Certificate in Peacekeeping English course Level 3 from British Council-Addis Ababa , Certificate in Defense and Management in a Wider Security Sector 2015 from Cranfield University-Addis Ababa, Defense Attaches Course Module from Geneva Center for Security Policy (GCSP), in Addis Ababa.
In addition, he attended many international and continental conferences and meetings in different countries, to name some of them in South Africa, China, USA, Turkey, Republic of Sudan, Kenya, Djibouti, South Korea, Qatar, Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, Saudi Arabia, France and Singapore.
Yenus Mulu key appointments in the Ethiopian National Defense Force include, Bilateral Cooperation Affairs Directorate Director, Deputy Defense Attaché in Somalia and Puntland, ETH-USA joint Project head, and has been awarded AMISOM Medal and Ribbon with certificate and a 30-Year Military Service Medal and Ribbon.
Judge Raja S. Abinader, Head, Prisons Directorate, Lebanese Ministry of Justice, Lebanon
Personal Bio
Judge Raja Abinader is, since 2012, in charge of the Prisons Directorate within the Lebanese Ministry of Justice, focusing on prison reform in Lebanon. Prior to this, he was head of the Judicial Commission for Early Release, a position he held for nearly five years.
Holder of a Master's in Criminal Law, Raja has been a dedicated and driven professional with a demonstrated history of working in the law practice industry for the past 15 years. He is a legal consultant and trainer in fields such as combatting torture, promoting Human Rights, management of violent extremist prisoners, and a lecturer in Human Rights and detention.
He is highly experienced in criminal justice, prison inspection and monitoring, detention management, alternatives to detention, international human rights and humanitarian law, training and development, and justice and security reform.
He is a member of Parliamentary subcommittees on criminal law reform, governmental committees on counter terrorism, overcrowding and detention. He is also a founding member of "Nouveaux Droits de l'Homme" - ALEF “Act for Human Rights” Non-Governmental Organization in Lebanon since the year 2000, and a “John Smith Memorial Trust” fellow since 2011.
1.30pm – 2pm GMT+03:00
Outcomes of Peer-Facilitated Trauma Interventions: Impact on the Inside (PID023)
Outcomes of Peer-Facilitated Trauma Interventions: Impact on the Inside (PID023)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Despite the alarming rates at which justice-involved individuals experience trauma, there is great hesitancy to discuss and address trauma in prison-based programs for fear of re-traumatization and decompensation. Recently, a series of studies assessed the efficacy of trauma-specific interventions for incarcerated men and women. The quantitative results of these studies showed positive and consistent improvement in anger, aggression, and psychological well-being across multiple facilities, varying levels of custody, and models of delivery. This presentation will provide comprehensive information about the fundamental needs of justice-involved populations with histories of trauma, the implementation of gender- and trauma-responsive programs tailored to meet these needs, and the research supporting the efficacy of these services delivered in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The outcomes presented include rigorous studies on theoretically based programs such as: Healing Trauma: A Brief Six Session Intervention for Women, Exploring Trauma & Moving Beyond Violence: A Brief Six Session Intervention for Men, and Beyond Violence: A Prevention Program for Women and more. A Peer-Facilitated (i.e., residents serving long-term or life sentences) program model was implemented in each facility with oversight by a Program Coordinator. Given the aggregate negative impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) represented in the lives of justice-involved men and women, the fields of both corrections and treatment can benefit from research that identifies effective services that reduce the cycle of violence and abuse.
Dr. Nena Messina, Criminologist, CEO, Research, Envisioning Justice Solutions, United States
Personal Bio
Nena Messina, Ph.D. is a Criminologist and President and CEO of Envisioning Justice Solutions. She is an expert in research and evaluation on gender-responsive and trauma-informed curricula and responsible for implementation and dissemination of empirical knowledge based on her research findings. Dr. Messina is currently the Principal Investigator of multiple randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of trauma-informed programs for justice-involved women and men at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Dr. Messina has authored and collaborated on numerous publications on the psychosocial correlates of substance use treatment outcomes and has contributed a great deal to the understanding of co-occurring disorders, trauma and abuse, and treatment responsivity for justice-involved women.
The Development of a National Healthy Prisons Framework in the Irish Prison Service (PID210)
The Development of a National Healthy Prisons Framework in the Irish Prison Service (PID210)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Following WHO recommendations and an Irish whole of government approach for health promotion, the Irish Prison Service has developed a 'Healthy Prisons' framework. The aim of this framework is to highlight good examples of health promotion activities already in place in prisons and to promote a standardised approach to health promotion across the prison estate. It is a key priority of this framework to recognise that prisons are both a place of work for staff and a home for prisoners and the framework will aim to ensure that both of these cohorts are catered for as we strive to create health prison environments.
Elaine Dunne, Health Protection Nurse, Irish Prison Service, Ireland
Personal Bio
Registered General Nurse with over 20 years experience. Working for the Irish Prison Service for the past 17 years, first working in Cloverhill Remand Prison before transferring to the Midlands Prison where she showed a keen interest in Mental Health and Addiction and became the Addiction Nurse for the Midlands Prison. She became the lead healthcare professional working with the peer-to-peer Red Cross Volunteer programme.
She then trained as the smoking cessation officer and commenced rolling out the smoking cessation programme for the Irish Prison Service. Following the arrival of Covid-19, she answered the call for nurses to work as part of the National Infection Control Team to prevent the transmission of Covid among the prisoner and staff population. Since then she has completed a masters in Health Promotion and a Diploma in Quality Improvement. She uses these skills to create a healthy prisons framework for both staff and prisoners.
Transforming Corrections Through Leadership: Ms. Nadria Brown’s Pioneering Role in Advancing Staff Wellbeing, Mental Health, Workplace Safety, and Systemic Innovation in Jamaica (PID110)
Transforming Corrections Through Leadership: Ms. Nadria Brown’s Pioneering Role in Advancing Staff Wellbeing, Mental Health, Workplace Safety, and Systemic Innovation in Jamaica (PID110)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This presentation explores the transformative leadership of Ms. Nadria Brown within Jamaica’s Department of Correctional Services (DCS), highlighting her role in driving institutional reform through a holistic, human-centered approach. With over two decades of service, Ms. Brown has led initiatives that integrate staff wellness, mental health, workplace safety, and technological innovation. Her leadership has resulted in improved staff morale, enhanced operational efficiency, and alignment with international standards. Central to her efforts is the implementation of DCS Nexus, a digital platform that modernizes correctional operations. As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, Ms. Brown exemplifies the power of inclusive leadership in reshaping correctional systems.
Nadria Brown, Project Management Specialist, Department of Correctional Services, Jamaica
Personal Bio
A seasoned and results-driven Security Practitioner and Project Management Specialist with over 24 years of distinguished service in Law Enforcement and the National Security sector. Renowned for providing high-level strategic, policy, and technical support to the Department of correctional Services for more than a decade, Ms. Brown has led transformative initiatives that strengthened institutional security, improved operational efficiency, and enhanced staff development.
Her expertise spans Strategic Management, Policy Development, Research Methodology, Project Management, and Human Resource Administration. She has successfully managed complex, multi-stakeholder projects such as the Security Strengthening Project within the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), ensuring alignment with national security priorities and international standards.
Ms. Brown is a dynamic leader with a strong foundation in social work, enabling her to design and implement rehabilitation and reintegration programs for inmates and wards. She is committed to fostering professional growth among her teams and upholding the highest standards of public service.
Education :
• MSc (Distinction), National Security and Strategic Studies – UWI, Mona (2017)
• BSc (Hons.), Social Work – UWI, Mona (2011)
• MSc (Distinction), National Security and Strategic Studies – UWI, Mona (2017)
• BSc (Hons.), Social Work – UWI, Mona (2011)
Research & Publications
Thesis: An Investigation into Diversion at the Point of Arrest Programmes for the Mentally Ill in Jamaica
Thesis Supervisor: Professor Emeritus Frederick W. Hickling
Thesis: An Investigation into Diversion at the Point of Arrest Programmes for the Mentally Ill in Jamaica
Thesis Supervisor: Professor Emeritus Frederick W. Hickling
More Than Just Walls: Designing Correctional Environments that Heal, Not Harm (PID072)
More Than Just Walls: Designing Correctional Environments that Heal, Not Harm (PID072)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This session examines how environmental psychology can transform correctional design and operations to support rehabilitation, reduce trauma, and promote staff wellbeing. Dr. Deanna Dwenger, drawing from over a decade of leadership in correctional mental health and her current role in justice architecture, will demonstrate how elements such as light, acoustics, spatial layout, access to nature, and sensory stimuli influence emotional regulation, behavior, and resilience. Through the lens of behavioral health and evidence-based practices, she will highlight the critical relationship between the built environment and psychological outcomes for both incarcerated individuals and staff. The session will also explore how thoughtful, therapeutic design can enhance operational safety while fostering more humane, rehabilitative spaces. Ultimately, Dr. Dwenger argues that space is never neutral—it either contributes to harm or becomes a tool for healing.
Dr. Deanna Dwenger, Chief Behavioral Health Advisor, Psychologist, Elevatus Architecture, United States
Personal Bio
Dr. Deanna Dwenger is a clinical psychologist specializing in correctional and forensic psychology. She earned her doctorate from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology after completing a dual bachelor's in Psychology and Criminal Justice. Her career began with an internship at the Federal Bureau of Prisons, followed by over a decade with the Indiana Department of Correction. There, she served in roles ranging from correctional psychologist at Indiana’s most acute mental health unit to later the statewide Director of Behavioral Health, overseeing over 120 behavioral health staff. In her most recent public sector role as Executive Director of Behavioral Health, Dr. Dwenger led all mental health, addiction, sex offender treatment, and staff wellness initiatives across Indiana’s prison system. She shaped statewide policies, secured critical grants, and ensured access to appropriate treatment for thousands of incarcerated individuals.
In 2025, she joined Elevatus Architecture as Chief Behavioral Health Advisor, where she bridges psychology and design to create environments that promote healing, safety, and human dignity. Her work now focuses on infusing behavioral health principles into the built environment across justice, healthcare, and educational settings. Passionate about reform, Dr. Dwenger is dedicated to transforming systems to support recovery, resilience, and hope.
Unpacking the Complexity of Prison Visitation and its Effects on Post-Release Reoffending (PID117)
Unpacking the Complexity of Prison Visitation and its Effects on Post-Release Reoffending (PID117)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Prison visitation is a primary mechanism for maintaining the well-being of incarcerated individuals and reducing their odds of institutional rule violations and post-incarceration offenses. Research also underscores the variation that exists in prison visitation and its effects and highlights that these may vary by factors not fully explored. The current study fills in this gap in several important ways. Firstly, the study analyzes whether and to what extent prison visitation is influenced by individual characteristics of incarcerated individuals, particularly their risk factors and mental health status. Secondly, the study analyzes the role of prison visitation in explaining subsequent effects on individuals’ post-release reoffending by focusing on several critical dimensions of prison visitation, including the type of visitors (e.g., family, friends, others) and the frequency and duration of the visitation. Lastly, connecting these two areas, the study investigates the potential mediating or moderating role of prison visitation between the role of individual risk factors and subsequent post-release recidivism. The study draws on a rich data set on a large random sample of parolees from Pennsylvania, United States. The results have significant policy implications in particular as they relate to policies and practices surrounding prison visitations and efforts to increase equity and fairness in this regard, especially when considering that the majority of people incarcerated are never visited.
Dr. E. Rely Vîlcică, Associate Professor, Temple University, Department of Criminal Justice, United States
Personal Bio
Dr. Vîlcică is an Associate Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at Temple University, Philadelphia, USA. Prior to joining Temple, she served as a Judge at the Court of the Fourth District of Bucharest, Romania. Broadly, her interests center on punishment and liberty decisions, criminal justice policy and interventions, and comparative justice. Her research has been published in journals such as Criminal Justice & Behavior, Criminology, European Journal on Criminal Policy & Research, Journal of Criminal Justice, and International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology.
2pm – 2.30pm GMT+03:00
From ACEs to Action: Trauma-Informed Strategies for Mitigating Harm in Correctional Settings (PID111)
From ACEs to Action: Trauma-Informed Strategies for Mitigating Harm in Correctional Settings (PID111)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This session presents findings from a large-scale analysis of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) among incarcerated individuals in a rural Western state. Drawing on data from over 1,500 adults admitted to the state's correctional system between 2020 and 2022, this study identifies a high prevalence of childhood trauma in the population and demonstrates significant associations between ACE scores and in-prison misconduct, and to a lesser extent ACE scores and reincarceration.
In addition to the empirical results, this session will highlight the implementation of two key trauma mitigation initiatives: trauma-focused interventions for incarcerated individuals and trauma-informed training for staff. The session will include implementation challenges related to each and qualitative and quantitative data on outcomes.
Together, this research and applied interventions offer a model for how correctional agencies can shift from punitive frameworks to trauma-responsive approaches that promote safety, rehabilitation and long-term community reintegration.
Bree Derrick, Director, Idaho Department of Correction, United States
Personal Bio
As the director of the Idaho Department of Correction, Bree takes a purpose-driven approach to implementing operational changes that enhance public safety outcomes for Idahoans.
Bree has served as the IDOC deputy director since 2019 and has played an instrumental role in the department’s rise as a national model for correctional systems. She has overseen the divisions of probation and parole, prisons, and management services. Derrick led the department’s staffing efforts, generating national recognition for industry best practices in recruitment and retention. With over 20 years of experience in corrections and behavioral health systems, Bree is nationally recognized for her expertise in evidence-based practices and crime reduction strategies.
Before joining IDOC, Bree worked at the Justice Center. While at the Justice Center, she assisted more than a dozen state correctional agencies in planning and implementing large-scale efforts to instill correctional best practices. Bree began her career with the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals, later working at a private psychiatric hospital and the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. During her 10 years with RIDOC, she held roles as a researcher and mental health clinician.
Bree has a master’s degree in counseling and a PhD in leadership and change.
Bree has served as the IDOC deputy director since 2019 and has played an instrumental role in the department’s rise as a national model for correctional systems. She has overseen the divisions of probation and parole, prisons, and management services. Derrick led the department’s staffing efforts, generating national recognition for industry best practices in recruitment and retention. With over 20 years of experience in corrections and behavioral health systems, Bree is nationally recognized for her expertise in evidence-based practices and crime reduction strategies.
Before joining IDOC, Bree worked at the Justice Center. While at the Justice Center, she assisted more than a dozen state correctional agencies in planning and implementing large-scale efforts to instill correctional best practices. Bree began her career with the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals, later working at a private psychiatric hospital and the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. During her 10 years with RIDOC, she held roles as a researcher and mental health clinician.
Bree has a master’s degree in counseling and a PhD in leadership and change.
Transforming Restrictive Housing: A Health-Focused, Staff-Led Model for High-Risk Prison Populations (PID122)
Transforming Restrictive Housing: A Health-Focused, Staff-Led Model for High-Risk Prison Populations (PID122)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
The Washington Department of Corrections (WA DOC) is facing an occupational health crisis among staff working in Restrictive Housing Units (RHUs), where chronic understaffing, high exposure to trauma, and limited training create unsafe, unsustainable environments. In 2022, WA DOC began working with Amend at UCSF (“Amend”) to implement their Resource Team intervention in pilot RHUs in three men’s prisons. Developed by Amend with its partners in the Norwegian Correctional Service, the Resource Team model is staff-intensive, ensuring that RHUs are not understaffed. Staff participating in the Resource Team receive extensive training in human needs and behavior change, de-escalation communication, and dynamic risk assessment to safely plan and execute goal-oriented interactions with incarcerated people. Resource Team staff also work closely with healthcare and mental health partners and receive ongoing peer mentorship and coaching via Amend’s network of Resource Team professionals. This presentation will describe the Resource Team model, the WA DOC-Amend collaboration, and positive emerging outcomes on staff and incarcerated participants.
Jessica Osorio, Implementation Director, Amend at UCSF, United States
Personal Bio
Jessica Osorio is the Implementation Director with Amend at UCSF. In this role, she works closely with Department of Corrections partners to design and implement training and culture change initiatives that promote health, dignity, and human-centered practices in correctional facilities. She earned her BA in International Development from UC Berkeley and her MA in International Administration and Public Policy from the University of Denver. Jessica has over 14 years of experience working in public health, with a career-long focus on initiatives to achieve health equity. After working in global health for five years, Jessica worked in transitional case management and clinical supervision at San Quentin Reentry Center and Alameda County Probation. Immediately before joining Amend, Jessica was the Contra Costa County HIV/AIDS and STD Program Director for six years, where she led surveillance, prevention, clinical quality management, and comprehensive case management teams.
Captain Paul Daniel, Captain, WA Department of Corrections, United States
Personal Bio
Captain Paul Daniel has worked for the Washington Department of Corrections since 2007 and has held a range of positions in custody, classification, and management. Through his work at Washington State Penitentiary, Captain Daniel has been directly involved as a leader in the WA Way’s correctional culture change efforts and the Resource Team intervention, focusing on staff wellness and human-centered approaches to custody. He believes the U.S. prison system has made meaningful progress in recent years and is excited to support its continued growth through partnership with Amend and international colleagues.
Psychological Supervision and Peer Intervision in Correctional Work. How Can it be Beneficial? (PID118)
Psychological Supervision and Peer Intervision in Correctional Work. How Can it be Beneficial? (PID118)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Psychologists working in correctional facilities and occupational health services operate in uniquely high-stress environments that place them at elevated risk of burnout, secondary trauma, and professional isolation. Evidence from international literature, including UK regulatory bodies and U.S. prison policy, highlights the critical role of supervision and peer consultation (intervision) in maintaining psychological wellbeing and professional competence in such contexts. Regular, structured supervision is associated with reduced stress, increased job satisfaction, and improved therapeutic outcomes. Peer support groups provide a safe, collaborative space for emotional processing, clinical reflection, and mutual validation—fostering resilience and counteracting the isolating effects of correctional work.
In Poland, correctional staff face additional organizational stressors, such as rigid hierarchies and low autonomy, making supportive professional structures even more essential. While access to supervision varies, emerging recommendations emphasize the need for trauma-informed, protected-time supervision and the development of peer-support networks, both formal and informal. These systems not only safeguard the mental health of professionals but also directly influence the quality of care delivered to incarcerated populations.
Supervision and intervision are not luxuries; they are evidence-based necessities. Embedding them into institutional policy is key to building sustainable correctional mental health systems where staff wellbeing and treatment integrity go hand in hand.
Maciej Kalaman, Psychologist, Psychotherapist, University of Justice, Poland
Personal Bio
Maciej Kalaman is a psychologist (MA) and a psychodynamic and systemic psychotherapist. He has gained professional experience working with children and adolescents with mental health difficulties at the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw, as well as serving as a prison psychologist, where he conducted psychological assessments, provided counselling, and mentored junior colleagues.
He currently works at the University of Justice, where he coordinates international projects and manages international cooperation. In addition, he runs a private psychotherapy practice, supporting adult clients in addressing emotional difficulties, relational challenges, and various forms of psychological distress. His work is grounded in long-term, in-depth therapeutic processes aimed at improving mental well-being and fostering personal development.
Maciej also conducts psychological trainings and lectures—among others, at the Warsaw Centre for Forensic and Investigative Psychology—and contributes to the Therapy Guide start-up as a product development specialist.
He currently works at the University of Justice, where he coordinates international projects and manages international cooperation. In addition, he runs a private psychotherapy practice, supporting adult clients in addressing emotional difficulties, relational challenges, and various forms of psychological distress. His work is grounded in long-term, in-depth therapeutic processes aimed at improving mental well-being and fostering personal development.
Maciej also conducts psychological trainings and lectures—among others, at the Warsaw Centre for Forensic and Investigative Psychology—and contributes to the Therapy Guide start-up as a product development specialist.
Katarzyna Lopian, Psychotherapist, Self-employed, Poland
Personal Bio
Katarzyna Lopian is a psychologist and psychotherapist with experience working with adults at various stages of life. She practices an integrative approach, combining different therapeutic techniques tailored to the individual needs of her clients. She provides psychological consultations and individual psychotherapy both online and in person at her office in Katowice.
She holds a Master’s degree in Psychology from SWPS University in Katowice and is currently undergoing psychotherapy training at the Department of Psychotherapy at Jagiellonian University in Kraków, a program accredited by the Polish Psychiatric Association. Committed to continuous professional development, she regularly participates in courses and trainings in the field of psychotherapy.
Dignity by Design: Integrating Data, Design, and Dynamic Relationships in Young Adult Corrections (PID058)
Dignity by Design: Integrating Data, Design, and Dynamic Relationships in Young Adult Corrections (PID058)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This presentation introduces Restoring Promise, an initiative of the Vera Institute of Justice, that partnered with five state Departments of Corrections in the United States to redesign eight correctional housing units for young adults aged 18–25. Combining therapeutic architecture with a restorative, developmentally appropriate framework, these units emphasize mentorship, family engagement, and dynamic security to shift from control-based practices to connection-centered care. Grounded in research and tailored to local contexts, the initiative was shaped by data throughout its design and implementation. A rigorous evaluation—including a randomized controlled trial—demonstrated improved behavioral outcomes, staff well-being, and unit culture. The presentation will highlight the initiatives design, implementation, and outcomes; as well as the collaborative processes critical to its success and implications for broader systemic change.
Chloe Aquart, Initiative Director, Restoring Promise, Vera Institute of Justice, United States
Personal Bio
Chloe Aquart is the director of Vera’s Restoring Promise initiative, where she guides the development and management of all operations and administrative systems. She previously served as deputy initiative director. Before joining Vera in 2022, Chloe was the director of people-centered practices at the Center for Court Innovation (CCI), where she led a broad range of local and national initiatives, including projects aimed at reforming prosecution, increasing community-based organizational capacity to mitigate and prevent gun violence, expanding the use of alternative to incarceration and diversion programs, and steering procedural justice initiatives. Beyond the United States, Chloe managed CCI’s international development portfolio, providing training and technical assistance to global criminal justice stakeholders in more than 16 countries. Chloe holds a BS in accounting from Hunter College, City University of New York, an MA in urban affairs from Queens College, and a JD from New York Law School.
Selma Djokovic, Associate Director of Research, Restoring Promise, Vera Institute of Justice, United States
Personal Bio
Selma Djokovic is the associate director of research of Vera’s Restoring Promise initiative, where she leads research that helps create and maintain prison housing units that are rooted in human dignity. She has expanded the way participatory methods are used in their research, has developed pathways for research and data to inform implementation and decision-making for the initiative, and has been instrumental in the team’s first randomized control trial assessing the impact of changing prison culture on young adult behavior. Before joining Vera in 2017, Selma worked for six years with the Public Science Project, a participatory action research institute based in the City University of New York Graduate Center. There, she worked on several participatory action research projects based in New York City related to young adults’ experiences with, and attitudes about, police and school safety officers.
Rehabilitation and Reintegration in Africa: Bridging Traditional Justice and Contemporary Corrections (PID212)
Rehabilitation and Reintegration in Africa: Bridging Traditional Justice and Contemporary Corrections (PID212)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This engaging session that delves into the transformative potential of offender rehabilitation and reintegration across Africa. This panel explores the evolution of approaches rooted in indigenous restorative practices, colonial legacies, and modern reforms, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities within the continent’s correctional systems.
Discover how community-based models emphasizing reconciliation, restitution, and social harmony are being re-evaluated for their relevance in addressing prison overcrowding, stigma, and post-release challenges. Through case studies and practical examples, the session will highlight African-led innovations and the growing contributions of civil society, faith-based organizations, and regional bodies like the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Looking forward, the panel will advocate for a continental and global dialogue to develop a Model Law on Offender Rehabilitation and Reintegration. Rooted in African values of communal responsibility and restorative justice, this initiative seeks to inspire sustainable justice reforms and inclusive development.
Don’t miss this opportunity to join thought leaders and changemakers as we reimagine justice in Africa. Be part of the dialogue shaping a more humane and effective criminal justice system.
Sylvester Nwakuche, Controller General of Corrections, Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria
Personal Bio
Mr. Syslvester Nwakuche is the Controller General of Corrections of Nigeria. He commenced his career in 1990 as an Assistant Superintendent of Corrections, progressively ascending through the ranks to become Deputy Controller General in 2020. Prior to his elevation to the rank of Controller General, Mr. Nwakuche had served as Deputy Controller of Corrections in charge of Operations, Training and Development, and Non-custodial measures. In these roles, he left a lasting mark that enhanced the quality of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration. His academic credentials are equally impressive, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Calabar in Cross River state, a Master’s in Political Science from the University of Lagos, and a Diploma in French Language. A fellow of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, he is also a recipient of the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).
Raphael Tuhafeni Hamunyela, Commissioner General, Namibian Correctional Service, Namibia
Personal Bio
He joined the Namibian Correctional Service in 1994 and from 1994 to 1995 he worked as a shift worker at the Hardap Prison and as a probationary warder. From 1995 to 1998 he worked as a Logistics Officer, then head of all sections and then duty officer at Grootfontein Prison with the rank of Prison Officer. From 1998 to 2001, he served at the Grootfontein Prison as the head of the prisoners’ discipline office, with the rank of Senior Prison Officer. From 2001 to 2006, he was the head of the prisoners’ discipline office at Hardap Prison with the rank of Chief Prison Officer. Hamunyela was also the legal officer with the rank of Chief Prison Officer from 2006 to 2009.
In 2009 he also served as legal officer, but was promoted to Prison Superintendent. From 2009 to 2012 he served as the Head of the Division of Legal Services with the rank of Assistant Commissioner. From 2012 to 31 January 2014, before his appointment as Commissioner General in February 2014, he served in the department corporate management with the rank of Deputy Commissioner General.
Commissioner Thobakgale has vast working experience in the public sector, with more than 17 years at senior management level in different government departments. Prior to his appointment in DCS, he was Deputy Director-General: Small Harbours, State Coastal Properties Development and Special Projects in the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, from July 2008 to August 2020. During the same period, he was seconded as an Administrator and Accounting Officer for the North West Provincial Public Works and Roads Department under the section 100 (1) b intervention.
In 2009 he also served as legal officer, but was promoted to Prison Superintendent. From 2009 to 2012 he served as the Head of the Division of Legal Services with the rank of Assistant Commissioner. From 2012 to 31 January 2014, before his appointment as Commissioner General in February 2014, he served in the department corporate management with the rank of Deputy Commissioner General.
Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale, National Commissioner, Department of Correctional Service, Department of Correctional Service South Africa, South Africa
Personal Bio
Mr Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale was appointed as acting National Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) on 27 September 2021. He first joined DCS in September 2020 as Chief Deputy Commissioner (CDC) responsible for Incarceration and Corrections.
Commissioner Thobakgale has vast working experience in the public sector, with more than 17 years at senior management level in different government departments. Prior to his appointment in DCS, he was Deputy Director-General: Small Harbours, State Coastal Properties Development and Special Projects in the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, from July 2008 to August 2020. During the same period, he was seconded as an Administrator and Accounting Officer for the North West Provincial Public Works and Roads Department under the section 100 (1) b intervention.
Mr Thobakgale has also held various senior management roles in government, including:
Deputy Director-General: Project Management Office in the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (May 2015 – April 2018)
Acting Deputy Director-General: Construction Project Management in the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (May 2016 – November 2017)
Head of Department in the Department of Public Works and Roads (August 2013 – January 2015)
Acting Head of Department: Infrastructure Advisory and Support Services in the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (March 2012 – August 2013)
Deputy Director-General: Project Management Office in the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (May 2015 – April 2018)
Acting Deputy Director-General: Construction Project Management in the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (May 2016 – November 2017)
Head of Department in the Department of Public Works and Roads (August 2013 – January 2015)
Acting Head of Department: Infrastructure Advisory and Support Services in the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (March 2012 – August 2013)
2.30pm – 3pm GMT+03:00
Grief‑Responsive Corrections: Embedding Trauma‑Informed Grief Care for Safer, Healthier Prisons and Communities (PID124)
Grief‑Responsive Corrections: Embedding Trauma‑Informed Grief Care for Safer, Healthier Prisons and Communities (PID124)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Correctional leaders worldwide are waking up to a hidden driver of violence, burnout, and recidivism: unresolved grief. Our session unveils a four‑layer Grief‑Responsive Corrections Model that turns cutting‑edge research into day‑to‑day practice. We show how brief, peer‑led grief‑literacy sessions for staff, trauma‑informed SOPs for deaths‑in‑custody, culturally diverse peer circles for residents, and family‑centred re‑entry counselling together reduce critical incidents, trim costly overtime, and strengthen post‑release success. The model synthesises evidence from more than 1,500 officers and incarcerated people across three U.S. evaluations, including a 30 % recidivism drop linked to family contact and measurable gains in staff retention. Participants will leave with plug‑and‑play policy templates, live‑data dashboards, and a cost‑benefit calculator that make dignity‑centred, grief‑responsive care realistic even in high‑security or budget‑strapped systems—advancing the Nelson Mandela Rules, Bangkok Rules, and UN SDG 3 in one practical package.
Rolando Nooks, Founder and CEO, Compassionate Reprieve, United States
Personal Bio
Rolando Nooks is the founder of Compassionate Reprieve, the first nonprofit dedicated to bringing humane, technology‑enabled grief care into correctional settings. A seasoned solution architect and grief‑in‑custody advocate, he pioneered a secure funeral‑streaming platform that reconnects incarcerated people with their families while meeting the highest security and privacy standards. Rolando blends hands‑on experience and trauma‑informed practice with deep expertise in cloud architecture and ethical AI, turning complex technical challenges into simple, compassionate solutions for departments of corrections.
His field research across North American and Caribbean facilities informed the Grief‑Responsive Corrections (GRC) Model—a framework that embeds grief literacy, staff moral‑injury mitigation, and culturally responsive peer support into everyday operations, aligning with the Mandela Rules, Bangkok Rules, and UN SDG 3. Rolando serves on advisory panels for justice technology, trains correctional staff in grief‑literacy, and consults with policymakers on humane digital services. His work has been featured in international media and criminal‑justice forums, inspiring a global conversation about dignity, healing, and family connection behind bars.
The Health and Wellbeing of Finnish Prisoners (Wattu IV) – How to Conduct a Multimethod Prison Study, and Selected Results (PID137)
The Health and Wellbeing of Finnish Prisoners (Wattu IV) – How to Conduct a Multimethod Prison Study, and Selected Results (PID137)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This presentation covers a rare topic: how to reach a hard-to-reach population which is not seen in regular health studies and how to engage people living in prison into scientific examination. What are the key lessons learned from the Finnish prison health examination study (WattuIV) conducted during 2020-2022.
The aim of the WattuIV study is to: obtain information on the health, mental health disorders and social status of people living in prison; promote their health, functional capacity, wellbeing and reintroduction to society; strengthen the continuity of care and service pathways; produce information to support the development of prison social welfare services in general. This presentation discusses the health and wellbeing of prisoners more diversely than before from several different perspectives. In addition to results, the audience will hear a number of recommendations for practice and future research.
Mika Rautanen, Head of Department, Research Manager, Health Care Services for Prisoners, Finnish Institue for Health and Welfare, Finland
Personal Bio
Mika Rautanen has worked as a clinical forensic psychiatrist in several prisons in Finland and has a department head position in the Psychiatric Hospital for Prisoners. He has been the head of a large nationwide prison population study (WattuIV) conducted by the Finnish Institution for Health and Welfare. As a research manager he continues with further academic studies arising from the WattuIV data. In his presentation, Rautanen shows key results from prison health examination study but also reveals lessons learned from the long journey of planning and carrying out a population study among people living in prison.
From Burnout to Well-Being: Organizational Policies and Strategies in 2025's European Probation Systems (PID174)
From Burnout to Well-Being: Organizational Policies and Strategies in 2025's European Probation Systems (PID174)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This workshop aims to provide an international platform to assess the advantages and disadvantages of burnout vulnerability screenings, examine leading European policies and best practices on burnout prevention and intervention, and share experiences on burnout recovery and resilience building.
The personal and institutional efforts invested in honing probation professionals to work toward reentry and social reintegration with offenders, even (or especially) those prone to high-risk crimes, are threatened to be lost to burnout. Without efficient policies and measures, probation agencies lose experienced staff to a phenomenon that affects all professions.
Join us to learn where we stand now and share insight on the future of organizational policies for staff wellbeing.
Liliana Mariana Lupsica, Probation Counselor, Satu Mare Probation Service, Romania
Personal Bio
Probation counselor of 15 years, during which has been involved in probation activities such as: pre- and post-sentence assessment reports, supervision of juveniles and adult individuals serving alternative sanctions, coordinating group-counseling programs for both inmates and individuals serving community measures and sanctions. In the past 3 years, has filled the role of trainer for probation and prison staff on topics such as leadership in correctional services, and the seamless principle of reentry.
As of 2024, a PhD student at the Social Work Doctoral School of the University of Bucharest, researching probation staff burnout and resilience. Strongly interested in comprehensive learning about topics such as: innovative reintegration methods of high-risk offenders, gender-sensitive approaches to offender social reintegration, and trauma-informed approach for the benefit of probation staff and service users.
Design Principles for Prison Landscapes: Security, Biodiversity and Wellbeing (PID086)
Design Principles for Prison Landscapes: Security, Biodiversity and Wellbeing (PID086)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Green spaces in prisons are widely recognised both to help address sustainability aspirations, and to support wellbeing, but security and cost concerns often mean that these spaces are under-developed or left out of new prisons entirely. This paper offers practical and research-based solutions to improve wellbeing within the corrections environment, supporting the range of professionals responsible for prison design in introducing green spaces into correctional facilities. It introduces the newly published 'Design Principles for Prison Landscapes: Security, Biodiversity and Wellbeing', from the University of Birmingham (UK), which offers case studies and worked examples to help meet security standards whilst also enabling biodiversity aspirations and supporting wellbeing. The paper will introduce the Design Principles and outline the process behind their development, as well as giving ICPA participants details of how to freely access this new resource.
Dominique Moran, Professor of Carceral Geography, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
Personal Bio
Dominique Moran is an academic researcher and specialist in the relationship between prison design and landscaping and the wellbeing of incarcerated populations and prison staff. Her work spans the design of new prisons, the longevity of older prison estates (such as Victorian-era prisons in the UK), and the beneficial effects of green spaces in prison for prisoners and staff. She has researched prisons and prison systems in England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Russian Federation, Norway and Sweden, and has advised on prison design and landscaping in contexts as diverse as Colombia, the Netherlands and New Zealand. She is lead editor of 'The Palgrave Handbook of Prison Design', and has led the interdisciplinary team behind 'Design Principles for Prison Landscapes', which puts into practice cutting edge research into the benefits of nature contact in prison.
Emma Widdop, Research Associate and Lecturer in Landscape and Sustainable Urbanism, University of Birmingham and Birmingham City University, United Kingdom
Personal Bio
Emma Widdop is a doctoral researcher, chartered Landscape Architect and Lecturer in Landscape Architecture and Sustainable Urbanism at Birmingham City University. As a Research Associate at the University of Birmingham, she was also lead author of 'Design Principles for Prison Landscapes'.
Built upon a foundation of art practice and educated in architecture, landscape and urban design, Emma’s work crosses disciplinary boundaries to place the human experience at the centre of the design rationale. She has spent the past decade as a design practitioner, delivering projects in healthcare, education and heritage sectors across the UK.
The Role of Communities in Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration: Perspectives from Nigeria (PID051)
The Role of Communities in Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration: Perspectives from Nigeria (PID051)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Discover how communities are transforming Nigeria's correctional landscape! This engaging presentation delves into the critical role of community-based interventions in enhancing the experiences of individuals in custody and those serving non-custodial sentences under the nation’s evolving legal framework. Learn how community acceptance, restorative justice practices, and local support networks are breaking down barriers of stigma and paving the way for successful reintegration of ex-offenders—ultimately reducing the risk of reoffending.
This presentation will unpack the legal structures, grassroots initiatives, and real-world challenges of implementing effective community corrections in Nigeria, highlighting the gaps in resources, societal perceptions, and policy support. More importantly, we will explore practical solutions, including stronger legislative backing, increased public awareness, and multi-stakeholder collaboration that can drive sustainable change.
Join us to understand how a shift from punitive isolation to community-centered restorative justice has helped to create safer neighbourhoods, reduce recidivism, and build a more inclusive society. Be part of the conversation that redefines justice—where community is not just a backdrop but a powerful agent of change.
Dr. Uju Agomoh, President, Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA International), Nigeria
Personal Bio
Dr. Uju Agomoh is the Executive Director Prisoners’ Rehabilitation And Welfare Action (PRAWA) – with a mission of promoting institutional reforms in formal and informal sector for access to justice, rehabilitation, and social development of prisoners, ex-prisoners, torture victims and youth at risks. She is a member of the United Nations Sub-Committee for the Prevention of Torture (UN-SPT) and a Board member of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims. Some of her past posts/assignments include the following: Team Lead - Prisons/Corrections Component of the Nigeria Security and Justice Reform Programme of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the British Government (August 2017 – Feb 2018); Project Coordinator - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) Support to Justice Sector in Nigeria; Council Member and the Special Rapporteur on Police, Prisons and Centers of Detention – Nigerian National Human Rights Commission (2001 - 2008); Member - Presidential Committee on Prerogative of Mercy Committee of Nigeria (2006 - 2009), Member Presidential Committee on Prison Decongestion (1999 – 2001, 2013 - 2014); President - International Corrections and Prisons Association Africa - Chapter (ICPA-Africa) 2013 – 2018.
Dr Uju Agomoh academic qualifications include the following: B.Sc Psychology (University of Jos, Nigeria), M.Sc Clinical Psychology (University of Lagos, Nigeria), M.Sc Sociology: Deviant Behavior (University of Ibadan, Nigeria), M.Phil Criminology (University of Cambridge, England), PhD Criminology/Prisons Studies (University of Ibadan, Nigeria), LLB Law (Queenmary & Westfield College, University of London, England), BL (Nigerian Law School).
Honest Ofor, Senior Programme Officer, Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, Nigeria
Personal Bio
Mr. Honest Munachiso Offor is a Senior Programme Officer at Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA). He holds a Master's Degree in Conflict Security and Development from the Nigerian Defence Academy, as well as a Master's in Human Rights and International Politics from the University of Glasgow. He is also an alumnus of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.
In 2021, he presented Nigeria's Alternative Civil Society Report on the Situation of Torture before the United Nations Committee Against Torture (CAT) in Geneva. He currently serves on the Research Committee of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT).
Honest led the Effective Implementation of Non-custodial Measures Project in Nigeria, a European Union-supported initiative under the British Council’s Rule of Law and Anti-corruption (RoLAC) Programme. This project established a foundational framework for the implementation of community corrections—a historic first in Nigeria's criminal justice system.
He is also a recognized capacity-building expert and has facilitated training sessions for key government institutions, including the Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Law Reform Commission, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, and various tertiary institutions.
3.30pm – 4pm GMT+03:00
Correctional Officer Health – Addressing the Hidden Crisis in Correctional Work Environments (PID032)
Correctional Officer Health – Addressing the Hidden Crisis in Correctional Work Environments (PID032)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Correctional officers face some of the most severe occupational health risks of any public safety profession, yet their well-being remains under-recognized and under-researched. Correctional work is marked by high rates of nonfatal injury-445.6 per 10,000 full-time workers, nearly four times the national average-with violence and assaults as leading causes. The mental health toll is equally alarming: 27–34% of correctional officers meet criteria for PTSD, rates comparable to military combat veterans, and over 25% experience depression, both significantly higher than the general population. Suicide rates are 39–40% higher than other working-age adults, and the average life expectancy for correctional officers-just 59 years-lags the U.S. average by over 15 years.
Despite these risks, most research relies on self-reported surveys focused on stress and burnout, with little attention to diagnosable mental health conditions, musculoskeletal injuries, or environmental exposures. Studies are rarely experimental or longitudinal, and critical outcomes like absenteeism and turnover are understudied. Correctional staff also face unique environmental hazards, including infectious diseases, poor ventilation, and exposure to toxic substances, all exacerbated by chronic understaffing and institutional barriers to research.
To address this crisis, multidisciplinary collaboration, standardized data collection, and evidence-based interventions are urgently needed. Improving correctional officer health is an ethical imperative and essential for the safety, stability, and effectiveness of correctional institutions. Future research and policy must prioritize comprehensive approaches to protect and support this vital, yet often invisible, workforce.
Dr. Brent Gibson, General Partner, Avocet Health Partners, United States
Personal Bio
A board-certified physician executive with decades of experience, Dr. Gibson has optimized healthcare delivery in correctional settings across the country. He has consulted for state departments of corrections, local detention operations, and private health systems, bringing unparalleled expertise to each engagement.
Dr. Gibson completed his AB with distinction from Cornell University and earned a graduate degree in Public Health from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. With over a decade of experience in clinical care and quality improvement for incarcerated populations, he has served as Clinical Director for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a Certified Association Executive for the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, and Chief Population Health Officer for a major correctional services corporation.
As a Certified Correctional Health Professional, Dr. Gibson founded Avocet Health Partners, a Chicago-based firm providing expert technical consulting to clients nationwide. His deep commitment to advancing correctional healthcare has made him a trusted leader and advisor in the field.
The Evolving Role of Community Volunteers in Offender Reintegration: An Example of the Hogoshi System in Japan (PID136)
The Evolving Role of Community Volunteers in Offender Reintegration: An Example of the Hogoshi System in Japan (PID136)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstact Summary
In recent years, there has been growing attention to the role of community volunteers in the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders worldwide. Community volunteers play an important role in preventing offenders from social isolation and exclusion and in building safer societies. The hogoshi system, the system of volunteer probation officers in Japan, has a long history of over 130 years and unique characteristics which promote desistance and reintegration of offenders. Hogoshi engage in pro-social modeling, focusing on and promoting offenders’ strengths, and encouraging offenders’ rehabilitation with patience and trust.
This presentation explores how these volunteers contribute to the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders within local communities in Japan, emphasizing theoretical frameworks such as desistance theory and social capital theory. The discussion will explore Japan’s unique institutional structures that support volunteer participation, highlighting distinctive features and strengths of the Japanese approach. Through this exploration, the presentation aims to offer insights into how community involvement, grounded in strong theoretical foundations, can enhance traditional criminal justice practices and contribute to sustainable offender rehabilitation.
Tetsuki Moriya, Director of International Affairs, Rehabilitation Bureau, Ministry of Justice, Japan
Personal Bio
Mr. MORIYA Tetsuki is a seasoned expert in community-based offender rehabilitation, with over two decades of experience at Japan’s Ministry of Justice. He currently serves as Director of International Affairs in the Rehabilitation Bureau, overseeing international cooperation on criminal justice and offender reintegration.
His past roles include Director of Offender Rehabilitation Services of the Bureau and Director at the Kanto Regional Parole Board, where he contributed to policy development for effective community-based treatment. He also has extensive experience in organizational management and human resources. As a Senior Researcher at the Research and Training Institute, Mr. Moriya launched key studies on juvenile desistance and evidence-based rehabilitation practices.
He holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan, with a concentration in social policy and program evaluation. Mr. Moriya combines deep expertise in policy, research, and administration, and remains committed to promoting humane and effective approaches to rehabilitation and community corrections.
Koichi Hayashi, Section Chief of Rehabilitation Service Development Division, Rehabilitation Bureau, Ministry of Justice, Japan
Personal Bio
Mr. HAYASHI Koichi is in charge of crime prevention activities such as the “Yellow Feather Campaign”, which aims to build a brighter society free from crime and delinquency in the Rehabilitation Bureau of Japan’s Ministry of Justice.
He has worked as a probation officer at a probation office. He has also been involved in research on juvenile reintegration and evidence-based rehabilitation practices at the Research and Training Institute of the Ministry of Justice, and has revised a specialized treatment program at the Rehabilitation Bureau.
Miki Yaegashi, Assistant Section Chief of Parole, Supervision Division, Rehabilitation Bureau, Ministry of Justice, Japan
Personal Bio
Ms. YAEGASHI Miki is in charge of parole policy and administrative affairs in the Supervision Division of the Rehabilitation Bureau of Japan’s Ministry of Justice. She has worked not only as a probation officer at a probation office but also as an instructor at a juvenile detention center for girls. Ms. Yaegashi holds a Master's degree in Psychology, which provides a strong foundation for her professional background in offender rehabilitation and reintegration, both in community and institutional settings.
Transforming Onboarding and Training in Correctional Healthcare: A Virtual Approach (PID180)
Transforming Onboarding and Training in Correctional Healthcare: A Virtual Approach (PID180)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Correctional healthcare professionals face unique challenges that affect recruitment, retention, and overall wellbeing, including high stress levels, mental health strain, and limited access to consistent professional development. To address these challenges, a strategic, innovative, and wellness-focused approach is essential. This presentation highlights three virtually supported initiatives implemented across ten provincial correctional centers in Alberta aimed at enhancing staff education, building workforce capacity, and fostering staff wellbeing.
Central to this transformation is the Virtual Orientation Program, which standardizes onboarding for new healthcare staff, promoting cross-center collaboration and ensuring informed, confident professional practice. To build staff resilience, the Duty to Respond (DTR) program offers specialized trauma response training based on the International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) curriculum, while the Simulation Training Program strengthens trauma management and team dynamics through real-time high-acuity scenarios. Delivered both in-person and virtually, these experiential programs enhance skill development, psychological readiness, and long-term staff retention.
Central to this transformation is the Virtual Orientation Program, which standardizes onboarding for new healthcare staff, promoting cross-center collaboration and ensuring informed, confident professional practice. To build staff resilience, the Duty to Respond (DTR) program offers specialized trauma response training based on the International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) curriculum, while the Simulation Training Program strengthens trauma management and team dynamics through real-time high-acuity scenarios. Delivered both in-person and virtually, these experiential programs enhance skill development, psychological readiness, and long-term staff retention.
Further supporting staff development, Virtual Faculty Development offers tailored mentorship to educators across all sites, ensuring equitable access to training and strengthening peer support networks. This comprehensive approach fosters workforce stability, improves operational efficiency, and enhances the quality of care within correctional facilities. The virtual strategies presented offer scalable solutions for other jurisdictions seeking to improve staff wellbeing, recruitment, and retention in correctional healthcare settings.
Kristin Simard, Clinical Educator, Corrections Health Services with Recovery Alberta, Canada
Personal Bio
Kristin brings over 22 years of experience in Correctional Health Services as a Registered Nurse. Beginning her career as a frontline staff nurse, she advanced to a Provincial leadership role, driving the implementation of a simulation training program, the First Responder Trauma course, and supports faculty development. Her diverse background includes extensive experiences in critical care, emergency, travel nursing in Nunavut and wartime Afghanistan, equipping her with a unique perspective and innovation on healthcare delivery in challenging environments.
Jillian Siemieniuk, Clinical Educator, Corrections Health Services with Recovery Alberta, Canada
Personal Bio
Jillian brings over 10 years of experience in Correctional Health Services as a Registered Nurse. Starting as a frontline staff nurse, Jillian advanced to a Provincial leadership role now leading the Virtual Orientation initiative and supports educator mentorship and faculty development. Jillian brings expertise and a wealth of clinical experience from her time in emergency services, flight nursing, as a member of a municipal fire department, equipping her with a diverse skill set for effective training and education.
Prison Reform as a Pillar of Security Sector Reform: Integrating Gender in Post-Conflict Corrections in South Sudan (PID025)
Prison Reform as a Pillar of Security Sector Reform: Integrating Gender in Post-Conflict Corrections in South Sudan (PID025)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
In post-conflict settings, prison reform is a critical but often overlooked component of Security Sector Reform (SSR). As South Sudan implements the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict (R-ARCSS), the unification of 8,600 forces into the National Prison Service of South Sudan (NPSSS) presents both challenges and opportunities for institutional transformation. This presentation examines how technical assistance, capacity-building, and institution-building have supported the professionalization of the prison service while ensuring compliance with international standards, including the Nelson Mandela Rules.
A key focus is gender mainstreaming in corrections, particularly the need to increase female participation in prison leadership and operations. Drawing from benchmarking exercises in Uganda and Rwanda, the session will explore how South Sudan is developing a more gender-inclusive prison service. It will also highlight policy reforms and capacity-building initiatives aimed at improving the treatment of female detainees and creating an institutional culture that promotes equality and non-discrimination.
Key Discussion Points:
Implementing the Nelson Mandela Rules in a fragile state to uphold human dignity.
The role of prison reform in stabilizing post-conflict societies within SSR frameworks.
Challenges and strategies in integrating women into prison leadership and operations.
Gender-sensitive incarceration practices and their impact on human rights.
Best practices and lessons learned from South Sudan’s corrections reform.
This presentation will provide practitioners, policymakers, and corrections professionals with practical insights on how prison reform can serve as a foundation for long-term peace, security, and gender inclusivity in post-conflict settings.
Implementing the Nelson Mandela Rules in a fragile state to uphold human dignity.
The role of prison reform in stabilizing post-conflict societies within SSR frameworks.
Challenges and strategies in integrating women into prison leadership and operations.
Gender-sensitive incarceration practices and their impact on human rights.
Best practices and lessons learned from South Sudan’s corrections reform.
This presentation will provide practitioners, policymakers, and corrections professionals with practical insights on how prison reform can serve as a foundation for long-term peace, security, and gender inclusivity in post-conflict settings.
Abdullatif Arshad, Head of Corrections, United Nations Mission in South Sudan, South Sudan
Personal Bio
Mr. Abdullatif Arshad, is a Senior Corrections Officer and Head of the Corrections Unit of the Rule of Law Advisory Section in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. Mr. Arshad has vast experience as career prison officer, who rose through the ranks to the position of the Assistant Inspector General of Prisons in Pakistan. In 2008, he joined the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) and was laterally reassigned to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in 2011, where he served in various capacities, as Prison Reform Officer, Special Advisor to the Director General of the National Prisons Service, Senior Policy Advisor and Head of Corrections Unit.
Mr. Arshad is a Gold Medalist in Political Science and a Britannia Chevening Scholar, who completed his Master of Laws Degree (LLM) in International Law from the University of Nottingham, UK. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Studies from Aston University, Birmingham, UK and was called to Bar of England and Wales by completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Skills from City University London, UK.
Mr. Arshad is a keen Golfer and loves spending free time with his family. He is married with three children.
Towards a Rehabilitative Prison Environment: Insights from Prisoners and Prison Officers in Namibia (PID234)
Towards a Rehabilitative Prison Environment: Insights from Prisoners and Prison Officers in Namibia (PID234)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This presentation reports on fieldwork undertaken by UNODC in Namibia with almost 100 prisoners and prison staff seeking to understand how prison environments may be made more conducive to rehabilitation.
The study adopted an appreciative enquiry approach, asking prisoners to tell stories about when they had felt most supported by the prison’s rehabilitative efforts, then examining these stories in detail to understand the dynamics of these moments when things worked well. Building on this approach, the study also asked staff at all levels – from frontline security to specialist programmes – to speak of times when they had been able to do their best work in supporting prisoners’ rehabilitation.
The stories that unfolded revealed remarkable convergence across both female and male prisoner groups, as well as both aligning with prison officers, in what made a prison environment conducive to rehabilitation. Equally, all groups could point to when things went wrong and the prison became a brake rather than a facilitator or amplifier of positive changes. The paper gives voice to prisoners and prison officers as experts by experience and contributes to the growing dialogue and international research on rehabilitative prison environments.
Dr Mark Brown, Prisons Research Consultant, UNODC, United Kingdom
Personal Bio
Mark Brown is a senior prisons research consultant in the Research and Trend Analysis Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). He also teaches in the School of Law at The University of Sheffield and is an Honorary Senior Fellow in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne, Australia. During 2022-23 Mark was a UK Leverhulme International Fellow based at JSW School of Law, Bhutan. His work focuses on prisons, offender management, punishment and penal theory, criminal justice, and law. He has a particular interest in historical and comparative studies, including in colonial and postcolonial societies. Mark also works in international development programme evaluation, where he has evaluated programmes for preventing and countering crime and terrorism in several countries in East Africa, West Asia and Central Asia.
Experiences of the Formerly Incarcerated Transitions (FIT) Clinic Initiative Connecting Formerly Incarcerated People With Community Healthcare in New Orleans, Louisiana (USA) (PID113)
Experiences of the Formerly Incarcerated Transitions (FIT) Clinic Initiative Connecting Formerly Incarcerated People With Community Healthcare in New Orleans, Louisiana (USA) (PID113)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Incarcerated people face significant health disparities, including higher rates of chronic diseases, infectious diseases, substance use, and mental illness when compared with the general population. Incarcerated people also have shorter life expectancies. For each year in prison, life expectancy decreases by two years.
Transitional care coordination between carceral settings and community health centers is essentially non-existent or is haphazard and inadequate. Individuals are often released without medical records, medications, or follow up medical care. Recently released individuals have a twelve-times increased risk of death within the first two weeks of release and up to 40 times increased risk of overdose immediately upon release.
The FIT Clinic Initiative is working to change these statistics. Most immediately, in that critical post-release period, the program connects people transitioning out of incarceration with community health clinics for medical, mental health, and substance use disorders within 2 weeks of release. Our program success is based on community health workers with lived experience of incarceration and successful reentry.
Anjali Niyogi, Associate Professor at Tulane, Director, Formerly Incarcerated Transitions (FIT) Clinic Initiative, United States
Personal Bio
Dr. Anjali Niyogi is an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Tulane School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana (USA). As a hospitalist at a contract hospital for Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Dr. Niyogi provides medical care for incarcerated patients requiring hospitalization. She is the founder and director of the Formerly Incarcerated Transitions (FIT) Clinic Initiative in New Orleans, whose mission is to achieve health equity for people impacted by mass incarceration by connecting recently released people with health resources in the communities to which they return. She is the creator and director of the correctional health curriculum, a mandatory class for all medical students at Tulane.
Dr. Niyogi chaired a legislative taskforce on the use of compassionate release and medical parole in Louisiana and served as co-chair for the health and care committee as part of the Orleans Parish Sheriff's transition team. Dr. Niyogi works with correctional facilities on initiatives to address the drastic increase in opioid overdose amongst recently released individuals.
Dr. Niyogi is a volunteer physician with Physician for Human Rights and provides forensic evaluations to support immigrants in detention and in the community. She obtained her medical and public health degrees from Tulane School of Medicine and Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. She is the co-founder and director of the Resident Initiative in Global Health at Tulane (RIGHT) program and has worked internationally in multiple countries, focusing on capacity building and humanitarian aid.
3.30pm – 5pm GMT+03:00
Advancing Correctional Workforce Excellence: STDN Achievements & Partnerships (2024–2025) (PID303)
Advancing Correctional Workforce Excellence: STDN Achievements & Partnerships (2024–2025) (PID303)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstarct Summary
The Staff Training and Development Network (STDN) of the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) has significantly advanced global correctional workforce capabilities through innovative training and partnerships from 2024–2025. With membership growing 163% (45 to 118 members) across 49 countries, STDN has prioritized staff specialization, retention, and leadership development. Key achievements include:
Hybrid Knowledge Sharing: The 2024 “21st Century Prisons” webinar (featuring UCSC’s Dr. Craig Haney) and Singapore Conference proposal for a global incident-reporting repository promoted cross-border learning.
Local Capacity Building: Successful Training of Trainers (ToT) in Namibia laid groundwork for expansion to Nigeria and Philipines 2025.
Strategic EU Partnerships: Projects like INTEGRATE (mentorship programs) and PO21 (EU workforce standards) enhanced staff support systems.
Strategic EU Partnerships: Projects like INTEGRATE (mentorship programs) and PO21 (EU workforce standards) enhanced staff support systems.
Dorin Muresan, Chair of Staff Training and Development Network , Independent
Personal Bio
Experienced corrections and prison management expert with 30+ years in the Romanian Prison Service, including roles as Prison Governor and Acting Deputy Director General. Currently Chair of the Staff Training and Development Network at the International Corrections and Prison Association (ICPA). Certified project manager and trainer, coordinating projects exceeding €15 million and contributing to 15+ international projects in rule of law, human rights, and public management.
Key Qualifications:
Bachelor’s in Law & Administration, MA in Criminal Justice.
Extensive experience in corrections reforms, strategic planning, and staff training.
Certified Trainer of Trainers with 45+ courses delivered in corrections, project management, and personal development.
Authored/contributed to 4 national prison strategies.
Project & Consultancy Experience:
Led/participated in initiatives across Libya, Moldova, Western Balkans, Turkey, Kosovo, and Lesotho, including:
Extensive experience in corrections reforms, strategic planning, and staff training.
Certified Trainer of Trainers with 45+ courses delivered in corrections, project management, and personal development.
Authored/contributed to 4 national prison strategies.
Project & Consultancy Experience:
Led/participated in initiatives across Libya, Moldova, Western Balkans, Turkey, Kosovo, and Lesotho, including:
Enhancing human rights compliance in detention systems.
Strengthening criminal justice and probation services.
Radicalization prevention and regional prison cooperation.
Strengthening criminal justice and probation services.
Radicalization prevention and regional prison cooperation.
Affiliations:
Chair, Staff Training & Development Network, ICPA.
Consultant for CoE, OSCE, ICITAP, and volunteer mission
Consultant for CoE, OSCE, ICITAP, and volunteer mission
Douglas Dretke, Director of the Office of Comparative and International Education and Leadership, Sam Houston State University, United States
Personal Bio
Douglas Dretke has been the executive director for the Criminal Justice Center's Correctional Management Institute of Texas (CMIT) for 16 years. He is a 26-year veteran of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and Sam Houston State University (SHSU) alumnus with first-hand knowledge of corrections. During his tenure with TDCJ, Dretke built strong working relationships with state and national leaders. His life-long field experience gives him insight on the issues and challenges corrections leaders are facing today. Dretke rose from the bottom of the ranks at TDCJ, starting out as a correctional officer for a year before moving up to assistant warden, senior warden and eventually to director for the Correctional Institutions division.
Dretke earned his bachelor's degree from SHSU in criminology and corrections in 1980 and his Master of Public Administration with a criminal justice concentration from Texas A&M - Corpus Christi in 2001. Over the years he has become a highly regarded presenter/facilitator, delivering a number of speeches nationwide and internationally on various criminal justice-related issues.
4pm – 4.30pm GMT+03:00
Implementation of a Psychological Safety Improvement Framework for Community Correctional Services, Department of Justice and Community Safety - Victoria, Australia (PID087)
Implementation of a Psychological Safety Improvement Framework for Community Correctional Services, Department of Justice and Community Safety - Victoria, Australia (PID087)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
During 2023, concerns from within the Community Correctional Services (CCS) workforce led a team from West Area of the Department of Justice and Community Safety (Victoria, Australia) to develop a Psychological Safety Improvement Framework (PSIF). The framework was based on the understanding that if a workplace has poor support, limited recognition, lack of role clarity, or permits bullying, then staff are less likely to feel psychologically safe. This recognises that psychological hazards sit parallel to physical hazards, both pose risks to staff safety that need to be addressed.
The PSIF was introduced in the context of staff wellbeing issues that were being attributed to workload pressures and burnout in working within the community corrections environment, which had significantly impacted workforce recruitment and retention.
The PSIF was developed through co-design with the local workforce, a psychological safety subject matter expert, and with strong local leadership.
Since introduction, the PSIF has increased workforce understanding and awareness of psychological safety and provides a consistent framework to identify and mitigate staff wellbeing risks across this team, that is now being expanded across the jurisdiction.
In 2024 PSIF received the inaugural Departmental Award for Safety in the Workplace from the Secretary of the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) in Victoria.
Michelle Wood, Executive Director, West Area, Department of Justice and Community Safety, Australia
Personal Bio
Michelle Wood is the Executive Director, West Area, Department of Justice and Community Safety. As a law graduate Michelle began her career working as a community corrections officer. From there she held a range of senior management roles in Corrections Victoria where she led significant improvements across the adult corrections system. Michelle was the Project Director for the Community Correctional Services Sentencing Reform, which resulted in a significant expansion of community corrections officers, introduction of a new intensive case management model, a regionalised community work framework, and expanded range of programs to address offending behaviour. In her current role, Michelle is responsible for the delivery of integrated justice services in the Grampians and Barwon South-West regions which includes Community Correctional Services and Youth Justice. Michelle has been a member of the Victorian Youth Parole Board since 2021.
Andrew Reaper, Senior Executive Director, Justice Services, Department of Justice and Community Safety, Australia
Personal Bio
Andrew Reaper is currently the Senior Executive Director for Justice Services at the Department of Justice & Community Safety in Victoria, Australia which includes oversight of all community corrections services across the state. After many years working within the Youth Justice sector in Victoria, Andrew joined the Department of Justice in 2009 as Director, Office of Correctional Services Review and was later appointed Regional Director of the Barwon South West Region. He joined the Corrections Victoria team in early 2012 and took on the position of Deputy Commissioner, Offender Management in June 2012. Andrew joined Sodexo in early 2016, as Director, Government and Justice for Australasia before returning to Corrections Victoria in March 2019 as Assistant Commissioner, Custodial Services prior to commencing his current role. Andrew has an extensive background in the Justice and correction systems, with over 30 years in the public and private sector.
Building the Culture of a New Halfway House in Singapore for Women by an All-Women Team (PID181)
Building the Culture of a New Halfway House in Singapore for Women by an All-Women Team (PID181)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
In Singapore, community organisations like Singapore Muslim Women’s Association (PPIS) run a halfway house (Rise Above), as guided by the Halfway House Service Model provided by the Singapore Prison Service.
Since 2022, PPIS has turned the complex task of building a residential space for women (a first for the organization), into setting an example of a healthy workplace culture that has allowed staff team members to grow even stronger in work arrangements and collaboration. The women team are driven by a common cause, demonstrate teamwork and continuously find ways to create positive impact with the women we work with.
This sharing will be a reflection of some of the practices that have grounded this culture.
Saleha Rashidi, Centre Manager, Singapore Muslim Women’s Association (PPIS) - Rise Above Halfway House, Singapore
Personal Bio
Saleha Rashidi is a trained social worker who now leads the dynamic team serving the residential space of Rise Above, the first secular female halfway house in Singapore.
She has been in direct practice for more than a decade and her previous specialisation was stepfamily and remarriage intervention, which included delivery of numerous workshops, support group sessions with stepparents and training for fellow professionals.
She has been in direct practice for more than a decade and her previous specialisation was stepfamily and remarriage intervention, which included delivery of numerous workshops, support group sessions with stepparents and training for fellow professionals.
For the past three years, she has dedicated her attention to champion and set up Rise Above, a structured space with a focus on creating a trauma-informed environment with gender-responsive practices.
Saleha graduated with Honours in Social Work from the National University of Singapore and received training for interventions and supervision with Systemic and Family Therapy. In 2023, she was recognised by National Council of Social Services as one of the promising 40-under-40 leaders in Singapore.
Creating Tools for Change: A Digital Handbook and Diagnostic Tool to Improve Prison Staff Wellbeing Across Europe (PID201)
Creating Tools for Change: A Digital Handbook and Diagnostic Tool to Improve Prison Staff Wellbeing Across Europe (PID201)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This presentation introduces two practical tools developed by the EuroPris Staff Wellbeing Expert Group: a digital handbook and a diagnostic tool, designed to support staff wellbeing in prison services across Europe. The web-based handbook provides structured guidance on a wide range of wellbeing-related topics, including emotional resilience, communication, and leadership, supported by descriptors, actionable ideas, and real case studies. The diagnostic tool helps users assess their organisation’s strengths and challenges in relation to staff wellbeing, guiding them to relevant sections of the handbook for further learning and targeted improvement.
These tools aim to build a culture of awareness, prevention, and continuous development through training and leadership. They offer a practical response to the growing need for resilient and well-supported prison staff, whose wellbeing is essential for a safe, stable, and humane correctional environment. By combining shared European experience with evidence-based approaches, the tools are intended to support both daily practice and long-term strategy.
David Espina Jimenez, Chair, EuroPris Staff Wellbeing Expert Group, Spain
Personal Bio
David Espina Jiménez (Catalonia) is Chair of the EuroPris Staff Wellbeing Expert Group and works at the Directorate General for Prison Affairs of the Government of Catalonia. With a background ranging from operational prison roles to human resources coordination, he is currently involved in managing personnel within the Catalan prison system. His work focuses on strategic workforce planning and initiatives aimed at improving staff wellbeing.
David promotes a holistic approach to staff wellbeing, combining hands-on experience with strategic insight. His sessions offer practical ideas to enhance institutional culture, staff resilience, and long-term engagement within correctional environments.
Iva Prskalo, Co-chair, EuroPris Staff Wellbeing Expert Group, Croatia
Personal Bio
Iva Prskalo (Croatia) is Co-Chair of the EuroPris Staff Wellbeing Expert Group, a psychologist, and Head of the Department for International Cooperation at the Croatian Prison Staff Training Center. She is currently pursuing doctoral research on prison and probation staff wellbeing and is actively involved in national crisis intervention and supervision programs.
Iva’s work bridges psychological support, research, and leadership development in correctional settings. Her sessions offer evidence-based insights into staff wellbeing and practical strategies for building healthier prison and probation workplaces.
Iva’s work bridges psychological support, research, and leadership development in correctional settings. Her sessions offer evidence-based insights into staff wellbeing and practical strategies for building healthier prison and probation workplaces.
Reducing Prison Violence Through Expanded Rehabilitation and Oversight (PID056)
Reducing Prison Violence Through Expanded Rehabilitation and Oversight (PID056)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This presentation explores the persistent issue of prison violence and advocates for a shift away from punitive measures that exacerbate unsafe conditions. Instead, Dr. Zinger emphasizes addressing the root causes of violence—such as deprivation, lack of opportunities, and systemic neglect—to create safer and more humane correctional environments. Guided by Rule 1 of the Nelson Mandela Rules, which affirms the dignity of all prisoners and prohibits cruel treatment, this presentation will explore strategies that prioritize wellbeing and rehabilitation. The significance of Rule 83[2] will be highlighted, underscoring the role of independent external oversight in ensuring prisons adhere to legal and human rights standards. Through dialogue and advocacy, Dr. Zinger aims to foster a correctional system that reduces violence, safeguards incarcerated individuals and staff, and promotes lasting rehabilitation.
Dr. Ivan Zinger, Correctional Investigator, Canada's Office of the Correctional Investigator, Canada
Personal Bio
Dr. Ivan Zinger received his degree in Common Law from the University of Ottawa in 1992, and completed his articles of clerkship at the Federal Court of Canada. In 1999, he obtained his Ph.D. at Carleton University (Ottawa) in the Psychology of Criminal Conduct. He is an Adjunct Professor with the Law Department at Carleton University. On January 1, 2017, Dr. Zinger was appointed as Correctional Investigator of Canada and was reappointed for another 5-year term in January 2023. Dr. Zinger also launched the expert network on External Prison Oversight & Human Rights in 2017 under the governance of the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA). In October 2023, he received the Head of Service Award from the International Corrections and Prison Association for his tireless efforts to improve conditions of confinement and for championing dignified treatment of prisoners.
Reducing Stigma Towards Incarcerated Populations: A Systematic Review of Intervention Studies (PID047)
Reducing Stigma Towards Incarcerated Populations: A Systematic Review of Intervention Studies (PID047)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
In recent years, a range of interventions has emerged to address the stigma experienced by people with lived experience of incarceration (PLEIC). These interventions vary in approach, from myth-busting campaigns to sharing personal testimonies. However, prior reviews have noted a lack of rigorous research, particularly for PLEIC with co-occurring substance use or mental health conditions. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of anti-stigma interventions targeting PLEIC, synthesising findings from 16 studies involving 8,815 participants across five countries. The review found that interventions significantly improved knowledge and attitudes toward PLEIC, with myth-busting components proving especially impactful. Both online and face-to-face formats were effective, offering insight into how context and delivery method influence outcomes.
Despite these promising results, no studies from low- or middle-income countries were identified, and few examined long-term behavioural change. This highlights a critical gap in evidence and underscores the need for more robust study designs with extended follow-up periods. The findings suggest that while anti-stigma interventions can shift knowledge and attitudes, their effect on behaviour remains limited. Policymakers are encouraged to incorporate myth-busting elements into anti-stigma initiatives and to ensure interventions are culturally and contextually tailored. Future research should prioritise standardised approaches and assess long-term effectiveness, particularly among underrepresented groups such as women, young people, and populations in low- and middle-income countries.
Dr Tazeen Majeed, Deputy Head of School-Postgraduate Coursework & Inter-Faculty Education, University of Newcastle, Australia
Personal Bio
Dr Tazeen Majeed is committed to transforming healthcare for vulnerable populations through research, education, and policy advocacy. Her work addresses systemic barriers in healthcare access, with a focus on reforming correctional health programs and supporting marginalised groups, including women, youth, and justice-involved populations. Collaborating with national and international experts, Dr Majeed's research aims to inform policy discussions, contributing meaningfully to health equity initiatives. Central to her research approach is the co-design of healthcare solutions for people involved with justice systems—engaging communities to ensure that interventions are inclusive, culturally responsive, and sustainable.
"He Couldn't Call Me Dad Again": Ex-Offenders Experiences of Fathering During and After Incarceration in the UK (PID097)
"He Couldn't Call Me Dad Again": Ex-Offenders Experiences of Fathering During and After Incarceration in the UK (PID097)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This presentation explores the lived experiences of ex-offender fathers who were actively engaged in caregiving prior to incarceration. It investigates how these men sustained relationships with their children during imprisonment and navigated the complex terrain of fatherhood following release. Drawing on 30 semi-structured interviews conducted in Spring 2025 with UK-based fathers recently released from prison, this study offers early insights into the emotional, relational, and structural challenges they face.
Preliminary findings reveal that while many fathers received meaningful support within prison—including structured communication programme and mental health services—post-release realities were starkly different. Participants reported significant difficulties in re-establishing bonds with their children, compounded by limited access to support networks, employment barriers, and the persistent stigma surrounding their parental role. Notably, fatherhood in the post-release context emerged as largely invisible, echoing broader patterns of paternal marginalization within institutional settings.
This session argues for a reimagining of post-release support, advocating for targeted reintegration training, improved access to community-based parenting networks, and employment pathways that recognize the unique needs of returning fathers. By centring their voices, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of fatherhood after incarceration and calls for systemic change to better support familial reconnection and social reintegration.
Dr. Jasmine Kelland, Associate Professor, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom
Personal Bio
Dr Kelland is an Associate Professor in Human Resource Management and a Programme Leader at the University of Plymouth. Prior to her career in academia she had a successful career in HR Management, working for organisations such as ITV, NHS and Boots the Chemist.
Dr Kelland’s work on the ‘fatherhood forfeit’ has been widely cited within the press (such as The Guardian, The Times, The Telegraph, The Independent, The Mail and New Scientist), by professional bodies (such as CIPD) and she has contributed to numerous blogs and webinars on the topic of fathers at work. Her ‘fatherhood forfeit’ research has been published by the House of Commons Women and Equalities Select Committee and referred to in a House of Commons debate exploring ‘Fathers in the Family’. She has presented her research to the UK Parliament All-Party Parliamentary Group on Fatherhood, professional and international academic conferences and numerous organisations. Additionally, she regularly discusses the challenges facing caregiving fathers through media outlets such as Sky News and BBC Radio.
Her book “Caregiving Fathers in the Workplace: Organisational Experiences and the Fatherhood Forfeit” , published by Palgrave Macmillan is out now.
Dr Ian Blackwell, Research Assistant, The Dads Network, United Kingdom
Personal Bio
Dr. Ian Blackwell is a Research Assistant at Plymouth University, a Visiting Lecturer at Plymouth Marjon University, and an Honorary Fellow at the Centre for Innovation in Fatherhood and Family Research (University of Lincoln). Ian has worked with community Dads groups in the UK since 2007, has published widely on fatherhood and has presented his research at several international conferences. Ian is a member of the European Society of Family Relationships and ONEFaR (the European Network of Fatherhood Research). His most recent article, published in the Journal of Family Studies, explores the concept of 'Dadness'.
4.30pm – 5pm GMT+03:00
Identifying Interventions That Support Psychological Health and Safety Across the Criminal Justice Workforce in Canada (PID060)
Identifying Interventions That Support Psychological Health and Safety Across the Criminal Justice Workforce in Canada (PID060)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Those working within the justice system in Canada are four and a half time more likely to experience symptoms of mental disorders. Criminal justice systems rely on a diverse workforce, including correctional officers, police, court workers, probation and parole officers, and victim service providers, many of whom face high rates of stress, burnout, and mental health challenges. The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) recognizes the importance of psychological health and safety in every workplace and certainly within the justice system. As a result, and in collaboration with Waypoint Research Institute, research was conducted to identify interventions that support psychological health and safety across the criminal justice workforce. This work will also be reflected in the national action plan for mental health and criminal justice currently under development to support the mental health of individuals who interact with the criminal justice system in Canada, including justice involved individuals (e.g., individuals who have interacted with police, those who are incarcerated) and individuals who work within the criminal justice system.
Sandra Koppert, Director, Mental Health Commission of Canada, Canada
Personal Bio
Sandra Koppert, Director, Mental Health Advancement, Mental Health Commission of Canada has extensive experience in strategic planning, promotion, and stakeholder relations within the national non-profit health sector. At the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), Sandra has developed strategies and led projects to promote awareness and facilitate action for a variety of focus areas including psychological health and safety in workplaces and post-secondary student mental health and well-being. Under Sandra’s leadership, the MHCC is currently developing a national action plan for mental health and criminal justice focused on those involved in the justice system as well as the mental health and well-being of the workforce.
Christopher Canning, Director, Research & Academics, Waypoint Research Institute, Canada
Personal Bio
Christopher Canning, PhD is an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Toronto’s Department of Psychiatry and Director of Research & Academics at the Waypoint Research Institute. He is a sociologist by training and has 15 years’ experience in mental health research and policy development. He has co-authored over 40 policy reports and peer-reviewed publications and is currently supporting the development of an action plan in criminal justice and mental health in partnership with the Mental Health Commission of Canada. He is deeply committed to anti-oppression and centering lived experience and experiential knowledge in mental health research, policy, and practice. His current research explores patient-oriented research in forensic settings, criminal justice policy, and physical health inequities in people with serious mental illness.
Smart on Justice: The Approach of the Dutch Probation Against Subversive Crime in The Netherlands (PID099)
Smart on Justice: The Approach of the Dutch Probation Against Subversive Crime in The Netherlands (PID099)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Drug crime and its associated undermining are among the greatest security threats facing the Netherlands. Over the past ten years, the undermining problem in the Netherlands has been increasing due in particular to criminal organizations dealing in drugs. These organizations use the Dutch infrastructure as a hub for the illegal drug trade in which violence is not shunned. The undermining committed by the criminal organizations affects the democratic legal order, leading to social disruption. In the summer of 2022, a national integrated undermining approach was launched to which the probation service contributes. Its contribution consists of working through the patterns of criminal organizations and careers and offering young people an alternative to prevent them from falling deeper into crime. In doing so, the probation service cooperates with the police, the Public Prosecutor's Office, the prison system and municipalities. The deployment of the probation service provides interesting insights and calls for smarter international cooperation to halt the rise of undermining crime.
Arjen Alting, Board secretary, national coordinator undermining, The Dutch Probation Offices, Netherlands
Personal Bio
Arjen Alting is board secretary of the Dutch Probation Offices and also works as national coordinator of the contribution to the approach to undermining in the Netherlands. Since 2022, he has been working on setting up an appropriate approach to contribute to the undermining approach.
Mariëlle Verberk, Director, The Dutch Probation Office, Netherlands
Personal Bio
Marielle Verberk, director of the Dutch Probation Office, Center and Northen parts of The Netherlands and contractor of the approach of the Dutch probation against subversive crime in The Netherlands.
Manon De Nooijer, Board secretary district Noord-Holland, The Dutch Probation Office, Netherlands
Personal Bio
Manon de Nooijer, board secretary of the Dutch Probation Offices in the district of North Holland.
Manon worked as a regional coordinator on the approach to undermining in the province of North Holland. She has set up the approach to undermining together with local partners, in close coordination with Arjen.
Manon worked as a regional coordinator on the approach to undermining in the province of North Holland. She has set up the approach to undermining together with local partners, in close coordination with Arjen.
In this regard, efforts have been made to establish local jurisdiction in neighbourhoods and to set up group approaches and information about the certificate of good conduct (which is necessary in the Netherlands to be eligible for work).
Building Resilient Health Systems in Philippine Correctional Facilities: Integrating Disease Surveillance and National Policy for Comprehensive Detainee Healthcare (PID017)
Building Resilient Health Systems in Philippine Correctional Facilities: Integrating Disease Surveillance and National Policy for Comprehensive Detainee Healthcare (PID017)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This presentation encapsulates recent work addressing the critical need for health system strengthening within Philippine correctional facilities, highlighting the development and implementation of the Joint Administrative Order, the role of disease surveillance systems, and strategic recommendations for sustainable reform.
Dr. John Paul Borlongan, Medical Division Chief, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippines
Personal Bio
Jail Superintendent John Paul De Guzman Borlongan, MD, MPA is the current Medical Division Chief of the Directorate for Health Service at the BJMP National Headquarters. A licensed physician and public servant with the rank of Jail Superintendent, he leads the national jail health programs, ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare services in correctional facilities.
He earned his Doctor of Medicine from UERMMMC, completed his Master of Public Administration at Bulacan State University, and graduated as valedictorian of the Public Safety Officers Senior Executive Course. He also holds a Biology degree from DLSU-Dasmariñas and has undergone specialized training in prison health in Thailand, Norway, and the Netherlands.
Dr. Borlongan has served in various leadership roles in BJMP since 2014, including as Chief Health Officer of Region III, National TB Coordinator, and Roving Medical Officer in multiple regions. He is a researcher, trainer, and advocate for health in detention, and a member of several professional medical and public health associations. Known for his commitment, integrity, and innovation, he continues to champion improved healthcare systems for persons deprived of liberty.
Michelle Dulce Candelaria Matias, Philippines
Leveraging the Nelson Mandela Rules to Improve Prison Security and Wellbeing as a Factor for Stability and Security in Conflict and Fragile Settings (PID214)
Leveraging the Nelson Mandela Rules to Improve Prison Security and Wellbeing as a Factor for Stability and Security in Conflict and Fragile Settings (PID214)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This presentation explores the pivotal role of strategic prison security, anchored in the Nelson Mandela Rules (NMRs), as a fundamental element for maintaining safety, stability, and the rule of law in conflict and fragile settings. Prisons in these environments face unique challenges, including overcrowding, resource constraints, and vulnerability to attacks by armed non-State actors, terrorist groups, and organized crime networks. Such incidents not only threaten immediate security but also risk exacerbating broader conflict dynamics and undermining fragile peacebuilding gains.
Despite their critical importance, corrections institutions often receive limited attention within domestic and international development frameworks. This neglect can exacerbate fragility, conflict, and violence (FCV) by allowing prisons to become hubs of criminal influence, recruitment, and violence. The United Nations Security Council has increasingly recognized the strategic significance of prison management, mandating peace operations to support national prison services in conflict-affected settings.
This research addresses significant gaps in understanding how corrections intersect with conflict dynamics, including the instrumentalization of detention settings by various actors to destabilize societies. It emphasizes that upholding the NMRs through strategic security measures is essential to protect prisoner and staff wellbeing, prevent violence, and foster environments conducive to justice and respect for human rights.
Through case studies and identification of blind spots, the submission aims to generate gender-responsive, practical recommendations for policymakers and practitioners. These insights will support more effective, rights-based prison management, contributing to broader efforts for peace, security, and sustainable development in fragile and conflict-affected regions.
Julie Coleman, Rule of Law Officer, United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), Kosovo
Personal Bio
Julie Coleman is a Rule of Law Officer in the Office of Rule of Law, Justice and Corrections Section at the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). Prior to joining UNMIK, she was a Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Programme on the Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism (P/CVE) at the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT) in The Hague, where her work focused on the prevention of radicalization and violent extremism, particularly on the management of radicalization in prisons, and on the rehabilitation and reintegration of Violent Extremist Offenders (VEOs) and returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs) and their families. She has supported prison administrations and other institutional actors in developing capacities in conducting risk assessment, including supporting the development of risk assessment tools, in Mali, the Western Balkans, and North Africa.
She holds a Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Laws (LLM) in International and Comparative Law from Duke University, a Master of Arts (MA) in International Relations from the University of St Andrews, and a Graduate Diploma of Law from the College of Law of England and Wales.
Michael Langelaar, Corrections Policy Officer, UN Department of Peace Operations (DPO), Justice & Corrections Service (JCS), United States
Personal Bio
Michael Langelaar is a Corrections Policy Officer with the Justice and Corrections Service of the Office of the Rule of Law and Security Institutions in the Department of Peace Operations, United Nations. He started his career as a uniformed corrections officer with the Correctional Service of Canada and work in several capacities from security to prisoner programming to parole. He started his international career with a deployment to UNMIK in 2003 and since then has working in a variety of prison related capacifies in the United Nations and European Union in the Middle East and Africa.
While his passion is capacity building, he has worked to support national prison services in the areas of: strategic leadership, accountability and oversight; prisoner population management, including the management of high-risk prisoners; prisoner classification and risk assessment; and prison security, including in the establishment of preventative security measures and intervention strategies.
A Partnership Between Canadian Researchers and the Uganda Prisons Service: Lessons Learned From the Mbarara Prison Complex in Uganda and Empowerment Through Sustainable Research (PID125)
A Partnership Between Canadian Researchers and the Uganda Prisons Service: Lessons Learned From the Mbarara Prison Complex in Uganda and Empowerment Through Sustainable Research (PID125)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
In this multi-stage collaboration, we first explain how the partnership started-including our united decolonized and democratized approach to doing research to meet the needs of UPS. We then speak to the creation of a four prong approach to our seven year strategy which includes: 1) a pilot study (currently in data analyses); 2) a grant for a large comprehensive study to provide the contemporary understandings UPS needs to serve best their people and how we will do this study empowering UPS staff as co-investigators; 3) the introduction of MicroResearch to empower UPS staff through teaching research methods and knowledge translation (which we have already trained one group of six from UPS who are doing their own research project); and 4) a grant to fund MicroResearch UPS.
Dr. Aidah Ajambo, Associate Consultant of Public Health, Uganda Prisons Service, Uganda
Personal Bio
Dr. Ajambo Aidah is a medical specialist with extensive experience in establishing, monitoring, and managing health systems within compromised communities in impoverished African countries. She leverages her broad continental expertise to formulate and implement context-specific solutions tailored to the needs of the communities she serves.
Born and raised in underprivileged societies, and having worked extensively within them, Dr. Aidah draws on her personal experiences and understanding of societal norms to address welfare and health challenges affecting vulnerable populations, including those in prisons. Through her leadership, the Uganda Prisons Service Medical Department has successfully mitigated and resolved various health-related issues, including isolated epidemics, despite significant challenges such as overcrowding with no isolation facilities, limited funding, and severe shortages of skilled human resources.
Born and raised in underprivileged societies, and having worked extensively within them, Dr. Aidah draws on her personal experiences and understanding of societal norms to address welfare and health challenges affecting vulnerable populations, including those in prisons. Through her leadership, the Uganda Prisons Service Medical Department has successfully mitigated and resolved various health-related issues, including isolated epidemics, despite significant challenges such as overcrowding with no isolation facilities, limited funding, and severe shortages of skilled human resources.
In her current role with the Uganda Prisons Service, Dr. Aidah has been instrumental in designing surveillance systems to monitor and predict epidemics, initiate timely responses in resource-constrained correctional environments, and develop viable solutions to the growing health concerns within prison populations. The lessons learned from Uganda’s experience are poised to make a significant contribution to the global implementation of health services, particularly in under-served populations.
Prof. Rosemary Ricciardelli, Professor and Research Chair, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
Personal Bio
Dr. Rosemary Ricciardelli is Professor (PhD) in the School of Maritime Studies and Research Chair in Safety, Security, and Wellness, at Memorial University’s Fisheries and Marine Institute. The winner of the 2023 International Corrections and Prison Association’s Research Excellence Award, the Canadian Sociological Association’s Angus Reid Applied Researcher Award, and the President’s Award for the International Community Justice Association in 2024. Ricciardelli was also elected to the Royal Society of Canada and is a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. Her research centers on evolving understandings of gender, vulnerabilities, risk, and experiences and issues within different facets of the criminal justice system and among mariners. She has published 18 books, 320+ journal articles and 75+ chapters all in the areas of police, firefighting, correctional workers, public safety communicators, and criminalized persons, and wellness – broadly defined. As a sex and gender researcher, her interests lay in the social health, identity construction, and lived experiences of individuals. She leads a longitudinal study on the mental health and well-being experiences of correctional officers employed by Correctional Services Canada and has participated in correctional officer training with Correctional Services Canada. She also works in partnership on a research project with the Uganda Prison Service and contributes to MicroResearch International.
From Margins to Center: Addressing the Spatial Needs of Incarcerated Women in Austria (PID095)
From Margins to Center: Addressing the Spatial Needs of Incarcerated Women in Austria (PID095)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This session presents insights from the ongoing interdisciplinary research project “Secure Architectural Prison Design for Juveniles and Women”, which aims to develop evidence-based structural and organizational guidelines for contemporary prison design in Austria. While the broader project addresses the needs of both juveniles and women, the current focus lies on gender-specific challenges faced by incarcerated women.
Women constitute only a small minority of the prison population in Europe – and in Austria – resulting in their marginalization within a system largely designed around male inmates. Preliminary findings from qualitative fieldwork in Austrian custodial facilities reveal persistent disparities in access to spatial and programmatic resources: female inmates are often offered fewer leisure, education, and work opportunities, with employment frequently limited to gender-stereotypical tasks.
Building on previous findings and recent empirical data, this contribution explores how the physical and organizational prison environment can either support or restrict women's agency. Central to the analysis are the availability, accessibility, and usability of spaces, as well as the dimensions of dignity, privacy, autonomy, and normality – factors considered essential to promoting rehabilitation and supporting self-determined futures.
Mirjam Habisreutinger, Researcher, University of Applied Sciences Vienna, Austria
Personal Bio
Mirjam Habisreutinger has been a researcher at the Department of Integrated Safety and Security Management at the University of Applied Sciences Campus Vienna since November 2022. She organizes and conducts research, particularly within KIRAS Security Research Projects, focusing on the organizational and structural aspects of prisons, as well as the security culture and resilience in Austria’s critical infrastructure. A graduate of Cultural and Social Anthropology, she previously contributed to research and editorial work as an administrative intern at the National Defence Academy Vienna.
Rebecca Walter, Scientific Researcher, Department of Applied Sociology of Law and Criminology, University of Innsbruck, Austria
Personal Bio
Rebecca Walter has been a researcher at the Department of Applied Sociology of Law and Criminology at the University of Innsbruck since 2018. As a cultural and social anthropologist, she has conducted qualitative and quantitative research on criminal justice and correctional facilities for several years. Her research is focusing on the impact of structural and design aspects on life and work in prisons as well as on probation measures, alternative sanctions, prison climate assessment, and international judicial cooperation.
Wednesday 29 October
9am – 9.15am GMT+03:00
Host Opening Introductions
Host Opening Introductions
Plenary Session
Enis Yavuz YILDIRIM, Judge, General Director, General Directorate of Prison and Detention Houses, MoJ, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Enis Yavuz YILDIRIM is the Director General of Prisons and Detention Houses of the Republic of Türkiye and is also responsible for the Turkish Probation System. Yıldırım has served as a judge in Hani (Diyarbakır) and Şuhut (Afyonkarahisar), as well as a public prosecutor in Sivas Divriği. He held the position of Chief Prosecutor in Doğubayazıt, Niğde, and Hatay, and was appointed Chief Prosecutor of Manisa in July 2011. He initially served as the Director General of Prisons and Detention Houses from 2013 to 2017. After a tenure as a High Advisor to the Ministry of Justice, Yıldırım was reappointed to this role in 2022.
9.15am – 9.45am GMT+03:00
Institutional Resilience of Penal Institutions Against Natural Disasters: Türkiye's CEKUT Model and Earthquake Response Strategies (PID096)
Institutional Resilience of Penal Institutions Against Natural Disasters: Türkiye's CEKUT Model and Earthquake Response Strategies (PID096)
Plenary Session
Abstract Summary
Türkiye’s penal institutions, due to their location on active fault lines, face significant challenges in maintaining operational continuity and security during natural disasters. The General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses (CTE) has established specialized Search and Rescue Teams (CEKUT) to address these risks. The CEKUT model, first introduced in 2000, has proven essential in ensuring both institutional safety and national disaster response. The model was notably tested during the catastrophic earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş in 2023, where 21 CEKUT teams were deployed, rescuing victims and supporting the emergency management effort.
The presentation will provide an in-depth look at how the CEKUT teams’ swift response ensured the safety of correctional facilities, the relocation of over 10,000 inmates, and the provision of vital services such as shelter, medical care, and psychosocial support. By focusing on the strategies implemented during the 2023 earthquakes, this session will highlight the importance of institutional resilience in disaster management. Attendees will gain insights into how integrated organizational structures, interagency cooperation, and specialized training contribute to the effectiveness of correctional systems in crisis situations. The CEKUT model offers valuable lessons for disaster preparedness and resilience that can be applied to correctional facilities worldwide, making this session crucial for professionals in both the disaster management and penal system fields.
Enis Yavuz YILDIRIM, Judge, General Director, General Directorate of Prison and Detention Houses, MoJ, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Enis Yavuz YILDIRIM is the Director General of Prisons and Detention Houses of the Republic of Türkiye and is also responsible for the Turkish Probation System. Yıldırım has served as a judge in Hani (Diyarbakır) and Şuhut (Afyonkarahisar), as well as a public prosecutor in Sivas Divriği. He held the position of Chief Prosecutor in Doğubayazıt, Niğde, and Hatay, and was appointed Chief Prosecutor of Manisa in July 2011. He initially served as the Director General of Prisons and Detention Houses from 2013 to 2017. After a tenure as a High Advisor to the Ministry of Justice, Yıldırım was reappointed to this role in 2022.
9.45am – 10.30am GMT+03:00
Managing Human Resources Strategies in Türkiye’s Penitentiary System: A Comprehensive Overview (PID088)
Managing Human Resources Strategies in Türkiye’s Penitentiary System: A Comprehensive Overview (PID088)
Plenary Session
Abstract Summary
Effective human resource management is crucial to the success of Türkiye’s criminal justice system. This system relies on skilled and ethical professionals, including judges, prosecutors, police officers, and prison staff, to ensure justice and maintain public trust.
Key HR strategies in Türkiye’s criminal justice system include:
Recruitment: The recruitment process is rigorous, involving public exams and background checks to ensure fairness and merit. Emphasis is placed on diversity, making the system more inclusive and representative. However, attracting qualified professionals to rural or underserved areas remains a challenge.
Training & Development: Continuous professional development is prioritized, with tailored training programs in criminal law, human rights, and emerging fields like cybercrime. Modern technology, including e-learning, is utilized to make training more accessible.
Performance Management: Employees are regularly assessed based on their performance, using both qualitative and quantitative measures. This system helps identify areas for improvement while maintaining high standards of accountability and efficiency.
Retention: Retaining qualified professionals is supported by offering competitive salaries, job stability, and career growth opportunities. Additionally, wellness initiatives and stress management programs help combat burnout and improve job satisfaction.
These strategies are designed to ensure that Türkiye’s criminal justice system remains effective, ethical, and adaptive to the evolving needs of society. The focus on employee well-being and professional growth is essential for long-term success and a fair judicial system.
Turan KULOĞLU, Judge, General Director of Personel, Ministry of Justice, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Turan KULOĞLU was born in 1979 in the village of Çamlıktepe, Araklı, Trabzon. After completing his primary education in his hometown and attending Araklı İmam Hatip High School, he graduated from Marmara University Faculty of Law in 2005 and Anadolu University Faculty of Economics in 2010. He earned his master’s degree from Selçuk University Institute of Social Sciences, Department of Public Law, with a thesis on Human Trafficking in International Law and Turkish Law. In 2022, he graduated from Anadolu University’s Department of Sociology, followed by the Department of Social Media Management in 2024.
In 2006, Turan began his professional career as a candidate judge/prosecutor at Üsküdar Courthouse. Since 2007, he has served as a judge in the provinces of Antalya/Alanya, Gaziantep/Nurdağı, and Bayburt.
From 2013 to 2016, he held various positions at the Ministry of Justice, including Inspection Judge at the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses, roles within the Department of Probation and Workshops Institution, and the Department of Personnel, as well as serving as Deputy General Manager of the General Directorate of Personnel. Between 2017 and 2018, he served as Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors. On 27 May 2024, he was appointed General Director of Personnel at the Ministry of Justice.
11am – 11.30am GMT+03:00
Behind Bars, Beyond Exhaustion: Rethinking Staff Welfare in Correctional Systems (PID138)
Behind Bars, Beyond Exhaustion: Rethinking Staff Welfare in Correctional Systems (PID138)
Plenary Session
Abstract Summary
Correctional staff operate within high-stress institutional environments that expose them to sustained emotional and physical demands. Despite these challenges, their psychological well-being remains a marginal concern within the broader framework of correctional administration. The organizational culture of many correctional facilities, characterized by rigid hierarchies and emotional suppression, tends to prioritize operational control over employee welfare. This dynamic contributes to the internalization of stress and the eventual manifestation of occupational burnout, which often includes symptoms such as emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a diminished sense of professional efficacy.
This presentation highlights the need for a systemic shift from reactive to proactive mental health strategies in correctional settings. Instead of addressing burnout only after it arises, institutions should focus on preventative approaches that promote resilience, provide structured opportunities for rest and psychological recovery, and ensure equitable workload distribution. Moreover, the development of emotional intelligence among staff is essential for improving interpersonal relationships, reducing conflict, and fostering empathetic communication. These soft skills can substantially enhance workplace cohesion and staff morale.
Equally critical is the establishment of peer support networks and mentorship programs to counter the isolating nature of correctional work. Such initiatives help cultivate a culture of solidarity, emotional validation, and collective resilience. Ultimately, a holistic and human-centered institutional approach that addresses the emotional and organizational needs of correctional staff can lead to improved well-being, greater institutional effectiveness, and ethical sustainability. Future research and policy should continue to explore comprehensive models for fostering psychologically healthy correctional environments.
Fatih Serkan Günaydın, Judge, Head of Personel Department, Ministry of Justice, General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Born on October 12, 1990, in Ankara, Fatih Serkan Günaydın completed his undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration at Ankara University, graduating in 2013. He later pursued a master's degree in the Department of Public Finance at the Social Sciences Institute of Hacettepe University, completing it in 2022. He began his career as an Inspector at the Ministry of Finance in 2014, where he worked until 2017. In 2017, he started his judicial career as a Judge Candidate at the Samsun Regional Administrative Court. Subsequently, he served as a member of the Afyonkarahisar Administrative Court and later as a member of the Ankara Administrative Court. Additionally, he held the position of Rapporteur Judge at the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses. In 2023, he was appointed as the Head of the Personnel Department at the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses. He is married and has one child.
11.30am – 12pm GMT+03:00
Technical Assistance Provided by the Council of Europe in the Area of Prisons, with Focus on Healthcare Provision and Staff Well-Being (PID229)
Technical Assistance Provided by the Council of Europe in the Area of Prisons, with Focus on Healthcare Provision and Staff Well-Being (PID229)
Plenary Session
Abstract Summary
The Council of Europe has long been at the forefront of prison reform and human rights protection through its comprehensive “triangle” approach: standard setting, monitoring, and technical assistance. This presentation will spotlight the often-underrepresented third pillar - technical assistance - and the transformative role it plays in bridging standards and implementation across member states.
Participants will gain insight into CPDL’s targeted support to improve prison healthcare systems, including mental health services, through needs assessments, legal and policy advisory, peer exchanges, and expert-led training. The session will also explore CPDL’s growing focus on staff well-being, addressing the emotional and psychological toll of working with high-risk inmate populations. This includes strategies for institutional resilience, developing internal support systems, and fostering partnerships with external mental health services.
Learn how technical assistance is turning human rights principles into daily practice behind prison walls. This presentation is ideal for professionals working in justice reform, prison management, healthcare in detention, or human rights monitoring, offering better understanding on devising tailored technical assistance programmes to ensuring sustainable impact.
Tanja Rakusic-Hadzic, Head of Unit, Cooperation in Police and Deprivation of Liberty Division, Council of Europe, France
Personal Bio
Ms. Rakusic-Hadzic is the Head of the Cooperation in Police and Deprivation of Liberty (CPDL) Division within the Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law (DGI) at the Council of Europe. Since 2007, she has led the Council’s technical assistance programmes in the fields of prisons, probation, police, and psychiatric institutions across member States. Under her leadership, the CPDL Division currently manages 16 fully operational projects, with an additional 20 in various stages of development and negotiation with donors and beneficiaries. With a team of 46 staff members operating across 11 countries, the Division has grown into one of the Council of Europe’s largest cooperation entities. Ms. Rakusic-Hadzic has played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Network of Police Services of the Member States, for which the Division now provides secretariat support. A lawyer by training, she previously held various positions at the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman and the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She later joined the Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo before moving to the Council’s headquarters in Strasbourg in 2004.
Donche Boshkovski, Head of Unit, Cooperation in Police and Deprivation of Liberty Division, Council of Europe, France
Personal Bio
Donche Boshkovski is the Head of Unit II within the Cooperation in Police and Deprivation of Liberty (CPDL) Division of the Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law (DGI) at the Council of Europe. His work primarily focuses on supporting CPDL beneficiary countries in aligning their penitentiary, probation, and law enforcement systems with Council of Europe standards. He earned his bachelor’s degree in law from the State University in Skopje in 2001, and his LLM in International Human Rights Law from the University of Essex, United Kingdom, in 2009. Donche has been with the Council of Europe since 2013. Prior to this, he served as a torture prevention advisor within the National Preventive Mechanism of the Ombudsman Office of the Republic of North Macedonia, and as a National Rule of Law Officer with the OSCE Mission to Skopje.
1pm – 1.30pm GMT+03:00
Smart, Sustainable, and Supportive: Future-Ready Systems in Criminal Justice (PID156)
Smart, Sustainable, and Supportive: Future-Ready Systems in Criminal Justice (PID156)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Today, prison architecture has evolved beyond being solely focused on security, embracing a multidimensional approach that includes respect for human rights, sustainability, and reintegration into society. The General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses under the Ministry of Justice prioritizes technological integration, environmental sustainability, and supportive systems in the design of new-generation prisons. In this context, many services such as video calls, digital petitions, e-doctor, and library access have been digitized through the ACEP Project. Environmentally, projects aimed at creating eco-friendly buildings include energy efficiency, the use of renewable resources, and zero waste initiatives. Additionally, spaces supporting rehabilitation, such as educational areas, vocational workshops, and psychosocial support rooms, have become integral parts of prison design. Special arrangements are being made for female, child, and disabled inmates, and better working conditions are being targeted for prison staff. A holistic approach, where technological infrastructure, environmental responsibility, and social support systems are planned together, should be adopted in prison projects. Türkiye’s progress in this field should not be limited to capacity expansion; qualitative transformation should be achieved through sustainability standards, digital infrastructure, rehabilitation-focused modular architecture, and social impact analyses. Each new prison project, with this approach, should be seen as a tool for societal transformation.
Banu DEMİRCİ ALTAY, Judge, Deputy General Director, General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Banu DEMİRCİ ALTAY graduated from Ankara Finance Vocational High School in 1997. In the same year, she began her civil service career at the Ministry of Finance and worked for approximately six years as a civil servant at the General Directorate of Budget and Fiscal Control, and for two years as an assistant revenue expert at the Ankara Revenue Office. In 2001, she graduated from the Faculty of Law at Ankara University. In 2005, Mrs. DEMİRCİ ALTAY started her legal internship in Ankara as a candidate judge. Starting in 2007 and continuing until 2015, she served as a Public Prosecutor in Karapınar (Konya) and as a judge in Pazarcık (Kahramanmaraş), Yerköy (Yozgat), Erzincan, and Çubuk (Ankara), as well as a rapporteur judge at the Court of Cassation.
Since 2015, she has held various roles at the Support Services Department of the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses under the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Türkiye, including Rapporteur Judge and Head of Department. Mrs. DEMİRCİ ALTAY currently serves as the first female Deputy Director General at the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses and is responsible for budgeting, investments, and the construction of prisons, and conducts studies on architectural and technological transformation in prisons.
Since 2015, she has held various roles at the Support Services Department of the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses under the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Türkiye, including Rapporteur Judge and Head of Department. Mrs. DEMİRCİ ALTAY currently serves as the first female Deputy Director General at the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses and is responsible for budgeting, investments, and the construction of prisons, and conducts studies on architectural and technological transformation in prisons.
Confederation of European Probation: Advancing Staff Wellbeing and Professional Development (PID232)
Confederation of European Probation: Advancing Staff Wellbeing and Professional Development (PID232)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
The Confederation of European Probation (CEP) works to strengthen probation services across Europe by fostering connection, supporting staff professionalisation, and raising the profile of probation in the criminal justice system.
Through a range of Expert Groups CEP provides a platform for knowledge exchange and innovation. Expert Groups are focused on topics that are vital to the CEP members. These expert groups address areas such as mental health, electronic monitoring, technology in probation, gender-based violence, communication, caseload & workload, radicalisation, and research. Also, in collaboration with EuroPris, CEP addresses the needs of foreign nationals in prison and probation. Additionally, there are two expert networks under the scope of CEP: one on EU Framework Decisions and another on education and training in probation.
The work and outcomes of these expert groups contribute significantly to supporting probation staff and the development of probation services across Europe. This presentation will showcase the most interesting new outputs emerging from these efforts with a focus on their impact on staff wellbeing and service development.
Jana Spero Kanenjarin, General Secretary, Confederation of European Probation, Netherlands
Personal Bio
Jana Špero Kamenjarin has been Secretary General of the Confederation of European Probation (CEP) since September 2022. Prior to this role, she was the Director General for Prison and Probation System in the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Croatia (2017-2022) and Head of Probation Service in Croatia (2012-2017). She was a Board member of CEP (2016-2019) and Vice-president of CEP (2019-2022). She is Master of Law and Master-Specialist of criminal investigation. As an International Consultant/Expert of the Council of Europe she was involved in different activities regarding the development and professionalization of probation services and prisons: workshops, round tables and projects. She has been engaged as an expert in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Greece and Slovenia. She has been a speaker in many international conferences and took part in different international projects (STREAM Project, ISTEP etc.). She was the Project leader of the IPA, Transition Facility and other EU and Norway Grants Projects in Croatia. She was an expert for UNAFEI and UNODC and elected speaker for UN Crime Congress. On regular basis she is speaker/lecturer at seminars and workshops regarding the probation.
Establishing a Direct Complaint Mechanism to Strengthen Prisoners’ Rights in Türkiye (PID090)
Establishing a Direct Complaint Mechanism to Strengthen Prisoners’ Rights in Türkiye (PID090)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
The Turkish General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Centers has introduced a significant innovation to strengthen prisoner rights and enhance transparency. A new system allows sentenced prisoners to communicate directly with the General Directorate without any intermediary or institutional interference. Through a secure, independent communication cabin inside the prison, inmates can submit complaints via confidential video calls. Prison staff are entirely excluded from this process. The mechanism eliminates issues such as lost petitions and delayed responses, improving access to justice. It also adds a new layer of oversight and transparency to complement existing monitoring systems. Türkiye’s pioneering approach may serve as a model for other countries, reaffirming the commitment to uphold human dignity within the criminal justice system.
Fatih GÜNGÖR PhD, Judge, Deputy General Manager, Ministry of Justice, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Mr. Fatih GÜNGÖR is a Judge currently acting as the Deputy General Director at General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses, Ministry of Justice Türkiye. He is responsible for foreign relations, human rights issues and projects. Mr. Güngör has a bachelor degree in Faculty of Law, a master degree in Institute of Social Sciences-Civil Law and continues his PhD Institute of Social Sciences-Criminal Justice. His professional career started in 2005. After serving as a Judge for 6 years in various districts, he started his managerial career in 2011. Having participated in numerous national and international meetings, workshops, and conferences to date, Mr. Güngör has taken on responsibilities in the implementation of both local initiatives and several European Union projects.
Human Dignity-Oriented Security Approach: Standardization and Rights-Based Practices in Prisons (PID153)
Human Dignity-Oriented Security Approach: Standardization and Rights-Based Practices in Prisons (PID153)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
How can correctional institutions ensure institutional safety without compromising human dignity? This presentation explores the innovative security standardization efforts undertaken by Türkiye’s General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses to answer that very question.
Rooted in a rights-based philosophy, the newly developed "Security Standards Directive" introduces a comprehensive, nationwide framework designed to align prison security practices with international human rights norms. By covering critical areas such as body searches, surveillance, emergency procedures, and visitor control, this approach prioritizes both safety and humane treatment.
Participants will gain insight into how Türkiye is transforming its correctional security systems—not only by introducing technical protocols, but by embedding values such as transparency, accountability, and respect for privacy into daily operations. The presentation will share how institutions are operationalizing these principles through staff training, monitoring systems, and practical safeguards that reduce the risk of arbitrary or disproportionate practices.
This session will be especially relevant to practitioners, policymakers, and human rights advocates seeking to build correctional environments that are both secure and respectful. Türkiye’s model offers a replicable pathway for jurisdictions aiming to uphold safety while meeting international standards of dignity and justice.
Join us to discover how rethinking security—through the lens of human rights—can lead to more resilient and legitimate correctional systems.
Mehmet Yılmaz, Judge, Deputy Director General, General Directorate of Prison and Detention Houses, MoJ, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Mehmet Yılmaz was born in 1970 in Ankara. After completing his education at the Faculty of Law, he served respectively as a public prosecutor, a prosecutor at the Ankara Regional Court of Justice, and Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor responsible for the Bureau for the Investigation of Crimes Against the Constitutional Order and Terrorism. Since 2017, he has been serving as the Deputy Director General responsible for Security and Execution at the Directorate General of Prisons and Detention Houses under the Ministry of Justice. Between 2014 and 2018, he also worked as an instructor at the Turkish Justice Academy, delivering lectures and presentations on in-service and pre-service training for judges, prosecutors, and candidates.
"Being in Constant Communication is Wonderful": A Case Study on Integration of Smart Technologies Into Prisons in Türkiye (PID189)
"Being in Constant Communication is Wonderful": A Case Study on Integration of Smart Technologies Into Prisons in Türkiye (PID189)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
How can digital innovation support prisoner rehabilitation and improve prison operations? This presentation explores the transformative impact of smart technologies within the correctional system, drawing on a unique case study from Türkiye. The "Integration of Smart Technologies into Prisons (ACEP)" project introduces biometric systems, multimedia booths, and video-call infrastructure to enhance inmate access to digital services and maintain meaningful connections with the outside world.
Backed by field data collected in 2022 and 2023—including surveys with convicts, interviews with correctional staff and developers, and direct onsite observations—the study reveals the real-world outcomes of digitalization behind bars. Key findings demonstrate improvements in inmate communication, rehabilitation opportunities, and administrative efficiency.
By combining human rights considerations with operational goals, the project offers valuable insights for correctional institutions worldwide exploring similar technological transitions. Findings from the study provide a deeper understanding of how the use of digital technologies can improve the effectiveness of the correctional system for offenders, their families and staff by addressing many challenges simultaneously.
Assoc. Prof. Derya Gultekin, Senior Lecturer, Istanbul Technical University, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Derya Gultekin is an associate professor of economics at the Istanbul Technical University Faculty of Management, Türkiye. She holds a PhD from the University of Sydney, Australia. Her research areas include tobacco control and the tobacco industry, social care, labor policy, digital prisons & prisoner well-being, and issues on financial markets & development, such as sovereign ratings, banking reforms, pension systems, and foreign direct investment. Some of her works have been published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Social Policy and Administration, BMC Public Health, Journal of Environment and Development, Global Public Health, New Perspectives on Turkey, Social Enterprise Journal, Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education and Emerging Markets Finance and Trade.
Sevcan Ozturk-Kilic, Research and Teaching Assistant, Istanbul Technical University, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Sevcan Ozturk-Kilic is a PhD student in the Management program at the Graduate School of Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Türkiye. She graduated from the Bosphorus University Department of Economics in 2015 and received a master's degree in Financial Economics at Istanbul Bilgi University in 2021. Ozturk-Kilic worked in the Turkish financial sector for five years and is currently a research assistant at the ITU. Her research interests are in the areas of statistics, behavioral economics, well-being, care services and silver economy, and the economics of happiness.
Prison Staff as Key Actors in Implementing International Prisoner Rights Standards: A Study from the Sincan Prison Campus (PID155)
Prison Staff as Key Actors in Implementing International Prisoner Rights Standards: A Study from the Sincan Prison Campus (PID155)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This study, marking the tenth anniversary of the UN Nelson Mandela Rules, explores how Turkish prison staff perceive and approach prisoner rights within international standards. Conducted by Süleyman Kaçmaz and supervised by Prof. Dr. Elif Gökçearslan, the research utilized surveys and focus groups with 111 officers at Ankara’s Sincan Prison Campus. Findings reveal that while most staff support basic human rights and rehabilitation, many believe inmates receive “too many” rights, fostering resentment. Over half of the participants cited staff-related challenges—especially shortages and low job satisfaction—as key barriers to protecting prisoner rights. Officers also criticized past human rights training as ineffective, emphasizing the need for higher-quality education and a rights-oriented institutional culture. The study concludes that safeguarding prisoner welfare, as envisioned by the Mandela Rules, requires parallel investment in staff well-being, training, and support systems. Without improving staff conditions, effective rehabilitation and humane treatment of inmates remain unrealistic goals.
Süleyman Kaçmaz, Visiting Lecturer and PhD Candidate, Ankara University, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Süleyman Kaçmaz is a lecturer at the Department of Social Work, Ankara University, and a PhD candidate in Social Work. He holds a BA in Social Work from Hacettepe University and an MA in Human Rights from Ankara University. His professional career started in Germany, providing services for young migrants at Arbeiterwohlfahrt in Nuremberg. Between 2007 and 2010, he worked as a social worker with juvenile offenders in closed institutions under the Turkish Ministry of Justice. He has also contributed as a trainer and practitioner in EU-funded rehabilitation programs and served as a national trainer in pre-service and in-service training for prison staff. From 2010 to 2021, he worked in the Research, Development, and Project Office at the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses, coordinating over 20 EU projects aimed at improving the prison system. Since 2021, he has been teaching and supervising students at Ankara University, focusing on forensic social work, rehabilitation, and human rights in prisons.
Prof. Elif Gökçearslan, Academician, Ankara University, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Prof. Dr. Elif Gökçearslan is a faculty member at the Department of Social Work, Ankara University, Turkey. She holds a PhD in Social Work, focusing on social exclusion and criminal behavior, and has extensive experience in correctional social work, child protection, and community-based interventions. Prof. Gökçearslan has served in various administrative positions, including Head of Department and Vice Dean. She has been involved in numerous national and international research projects, including as a principal investigator, and has acted as an expert for UNICEF, WHO, and UNFPA. Her international experience includes research stays and teaching mobility programs in Germany and the United States, where she conducted post-doctoral research on child protection at the University of Texas with the support of TÜBİTAK. She has published extensively and supervises master's and doctoral theses on topics such as psychosocial support, restorative justice, disability, and professional capacity building. She is currently continuing her professional development in psychodrama and mindfulness-based approaches.
1.30pm – 2pm GMT+03:00
Crisis of the Turkish Criminal Penal System and Solution Suggestions (PID152)
Crisis of the Turkish Criminal Penal System and Solution Suggestions (PID152)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
The Turkish criminal justice system gained a new look after a comprehensive reform in 2005. As a part of this reform, probation was organised as a complementary element of the sanction and execution system. The establishment of the institutional structure was left for later. Since the establishment of the institutional structure took time, the practitioner showed a cautious and reluctant approach in the first 5-year period. Until the discovery of probation by politicians in 2012. In Türkiye, as in many other countries in the long history of probation, probation has turned into a pragmatic instrument used to quickly solve the problem of an ever-increasing prison population. This useful instrument has been used again and again in 2013, 2014, 2020 and 2023 and will probably be used again in 2025.
Although probation has greatly eased the burden of the execution system, it has not solved the problem of overcrowding in prisons. Since 2005, the prison population in Türkiye has steadily increased, exceeding 400,000.
In this presentation, the Turkish criminal justice system will be evaluated as a whole, and a proposal for solutions will be presented under headings such as the architecture of punishment, rehabilitation, personnel, and recidivism.
Assoc. Prof. Hakan A. YAVUZ, Lawyer, Lecturer, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Hakan A. Yavuz graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Law in 2002. He completed his PhD in 2011 with his Probation in the Criminal Justice System thesis. After serving as a public prosecutor for nearly twenty years, he became a lecturer. Between 2014 and 2018, he served as a judicial counsellor at the Embassy of Turkey in the Netherlands.
Academically, he focused on the search for alternatives in the criminal justice system and alternative criminal sanctions. In addition to his books titled “Penal System and Probation” and “Alternative Methods to Prosecution in Criminal Procedure”, he has many articles published in national and international academic journals in Turkish and English. He is a member of the Ministry of Justice Ankara Prison Monitoring Board. He is currently a faculty member at Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University Faculty of Law, Department of Criminal Law.
Collaboration Between Penal Institutions and Probation Services and Post-Release Reintegration: The Case of Türkiye (PID157)
Collaboration Between Penal Institutions and Probation Services and Post-Release Reintegration: The Case of Türkiye (PID157)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This presentation explores Türkiye’s integrated approach to offender reintegration through cooperation between penal institutions and probation services. It highlights pre-release preparation strategies, such as risk assessment and individualized rehabilitation plans, as well as post-release support mechanisms, including housing, employment, education, and psychosocial services.
A central focus will be the role of probation system of Türkiye in ensuring continuity of care and rehabilitation during and after incarceration. The presentation will share good practices related to community service, multi-agency partnerships, vocational support, and entrepreneurial initiatives aimed at reducing recidivism. It will also address the challenges of reintegration, including social stigma, institutional coordination, and the need for sustainable models.
Drawing on empirical examples and national strategies, the session argues that reintegration is not solely an individual transformation process but also a public good that benefits broader societal well-being. The presentation will conclude with actionable recommendations for enhancing inter-agency collaboration and support systems in the probation context.
Dr. Hüseyin ŞIK, Head of Probation Department, Ministry of Justice - General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Dr. Hüseyin ŞIK is a jurist who graduated from Marmara University Faculty of Law, earning his master's and doctorate degrees. He began his career as a public prosecutor in 2007 and appointed as judge to the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses/MoJ/Türkiye in 2015. He played a key role in international penal projects within the Foreign Relations Department. In 2021, he was appointed Head of Rehabilitation and Reintegration, and in 2024, Head of the Probation Department. Dr. Şık has presented on radicalization and terrorism at international conferences and has authored books and peer-reviewed articles on criminal law.
Compatibility of the Legal Infrastructure of the Turkish Penal System with International Human Rights Instruments (PID093)
Compatibility of the Legal Infrastructure of the Turkish Penal System with International Human Rights Instruments (PID093)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This presentation examines the compatibility of the Turkish penal system's legal infrastructure with international human rights instruments, especially the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules). Penal systems not only aim to punish offenders but also to protect human rights and reintegrate prisoners into society. The presentation analyzes the impact of international treaties to which Türkiye is a party, particularly on penal practices and their reflection in Turkish legislation. The Law No. 5275 on the Execution of Sentences and Security Measures and related regulations are discussed, focusing on both their legal content and practical effects. The presentation compares how prisoners' rights are regulated in legislation versus their implementation in prisons. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of a rights-based approach and aims to provide an overall framework for assessing the current state of the Turkish penal system from a legislative perspective.
Mehmet Ökmen, General Director of Legislation, Ministry of Justice, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Dr. Mehmet Ökmen was born in Ankara in 1974. After completing his primary, secondary and high school education in Ankara, Dr. Ökmen graduated from Istanbul University Faculty of Law. He completed his master's degree in public law at TODAIE and his doctorate at Near East University. Dr. Ökmen started his professional career in 1997 as a candidate for Ankara Public Prosecutor and served as a prosecutor in various provinces. In 2004, he was appointed as an rapporteur judge to the General Directorate of Laws of the Ministry of Justice, where he served as the head of department and deputy general manager, respectively, and in 2023, he was appointed as the General Director of Legislation. Dr. Ökmen still holds this position. Dr. Ökmen has significant experience in the fields of legislation development, legal policies and strengthening the judicial system. He has contributed to the reform processes in the justice system. With his academic and administrative experience, Dr. Ökmen offers a multi-dimensional perspective in the field of law.
Smart, Fair and Transparent: Accountability and Innovation in Modern Corrections (PID092)
Smart, Fair and Transparent: Accountability and Innovation in Modern Corrections (PID092)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
In this presentation, Çağdaş Yurt will focus on oversight mechanisms, transparency, and practices that uphold human dignity within modern correctional systems. Participants will learn how these mechanisms are implemented and improved within the Turkish correctional system, and how technological innovations can be effectively integrated into correctional services. Emphasising that rehabilitation is a central function of correctional institutions, Yurt will underline the importance of rigorous, consistent, and impartial monitoring processes.
He will argue that inspections should go beyond ensuring legal compliance and should also aim to improve institutional efficiency, resource management, and the capacity to provide humane and rehabilitative services. A progressive correctional approach should combine fairness with innovation, placing the individual at the core of its mission. The presentation will also explore strategies to promote transparency and public trust, while reinforcing the role of oversight bodies in safeguarding the rights and dignity of inmates.
Çağdaş YURT, Chair of the Board of Controllers, Ministry of Justice, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Çağdaş Yurt was born in 1988 in Elazığ, Türkiye. He graduated from the Faculty of Political Science at Ankara University in 2011 and began his career at the Ministry of Justice as a controller in 2013. Throughout his career, he has pursued further academic studies, obtaining a law degree from Atılım University, completing his master's degree in Health Law at Ankara University and is currently pursuing his thesis on Criminal Justice at the Police Academy.
In 2020, he served as the Head of Health, Culture and Sports Department of Ankara University. In 2022, he was appointed as Deputy Chair of the Board of Controllers at the Ministry of Justice, and in 2024, he served as Secretary General of the Turkish Aeronautical Association University. He is also an attorney and a certified mediator. His published works include articles and books on inmates' rights, and he is the author of a book titled “Sports and Law”.
The Board of Controllers at the Ministry of Justice plays a vital role in overseeing prisons, prison industries, and probation services. It ensures compliance with legal standards, safeguards human rights, and monitors the rehabilitation process of inmates.
Artificial Intelligence in Assessing Recidivism Risk Examined Under Criminal Procedure Law and the Child's Best Interest Principle, Focusing on Legal, Ethical, and Child-Centered Implications (PID216)
Artificial Intelligence in Assessing Recidivism Risk Examined Under Criminal Procedure Law and the Child's Best Interest Principle, Focusing on Legal, Ethical, and Child-Centered Implications (PID216)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This presentation addresses the growing use of artificial intelligence in evaluating the risk of recidivism among juvenile offenders, focusing on legal and ethical implications within the framework of criminal procedure law and the principle of the best interests of the child. AI-supported risk assessment tools are increasingly being used to predict future offenses, aiming to assist judicial decision-making processes. However, when applied to children, these tools must be carefully scrutinized due to the unique developmental, legal, and psychological characteristics of minors. The study highlights key concerns, such as algorithmic bias, lack of transparency, and the limited ability of current systems to consider the social context and rehabilitation potential of children. These concerns raise questions about the fairness, accuracy, and proportionality of decisions influenced by AI in juvenile justice procedures.
Furthermore, the session emphasizes that the best interests of the child must be the central guiding principle in all phases of AI system development and implementation. The principle not only requires that the child's rights be respected, but also that decisions be made with a focus on reintegration and individualized treatment, rather than punitive approaches. In conclusion, while AI can provide valuable insights and efficiency to justice systems, its use in cases involving children must be strictly regulated. Transparent and accountable practices, along with child-centered safeguards, are essential to ensure that AI supports—not undermines—justice and protection for young offenders.
Dr. Süleyman ÖZAR, Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor, Ministry of Justice, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Süleyman Özar was born in Uşak in 1979. He graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Law in 2001. He completed his Master's and PhD studies in the Department of Public Law at the same university. His doctoral dissertation focused on "Statute of Limitations in Turkish Criminal Law." Özar began his career as a public prosecutor in 2006. In 2011, he was appointed as a rapporteur judge at the Ministry of Justice, where he served as Head of the Legislation Department and Deputy Director General. He also held the position of judicial counselor in the Ministry’s foreign missions in Malta, Vienna, and London. Between 2018 and 2020, he worked at the OSCE Permanent Mission on issues such as hate crimes, media freedom, and the international dimensions of counter-terrorism. He is currently serving as Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor of Ankara West Courthouse, a position he was appointed to by the summer decree of 2022.
2pm – 2.30pm GMT+03:00
The Role of Digital Technologies in Staff Well-being: The UYAP System (PID219)
The Role of Digital Technologies in Staff Well-being: The UYAP System (PID219)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
In high-pressure sectors like justice and corrections, staff well-being is often overlooked in favor of operational efficiency. However, digital technologies can serve both objectives simultaneously. This presentation explores how Turkey’s National Judiciary Informatics System (UYAP) not only digitizes judicial processes but also significantly contributes to the mental, emotional, and operational well-being of justice personnel.
By reducing bureaucratic overload, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and providing secure access to judicial files, UYAP empowers staff to work smarter—not harder. The system has enabled flexible work arrangements, increased transparency, and simplified documentation, all of which play a critical role in minimizing stress and burnout. Additionally, UYAP's built-in training modules and helpdesk support foster confidence and digital literacy, especially among newly recruited or technology-shy staff.
Attendees will gain practical insights into how a large-scale digital platform like UYAP can be leveraged to create a healthier, more sustainable workplace environment in the justice sector. Real-world examples will demonstrate the link between digital transformation and human-centered outcomes, offering valuable lessons for jurisdictions seeking to balance innovation with staff support.
Whether you are a policy-maker, ICT expert, or correctional leader, this session will inspire you to rethink the purpose of digital infrastructure—not just as a tool for data processing, but as a strategic asset for human well-being.
Mehmet POSTGÖREN, Branch Manager, Directorate General For Information Technologies, Ministry of Justice, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Mehmet POSTGÖREN began working at a correctional facility in 2001. In 2003, he received expert user training for the UYAP Information System software developed by HAVELSAN A.Ş. for correctional facilities. In 2005, he joined the General Directorate of Information Processing as a business analyst for correctional facility software, during which time he completed two rounds of business analyst training. He contributed to the nationwide rollout of the UYAP Cte subsystem across all correctional institutions.
Since 2011, Mehmet has served as the Call Centre Branch Manager for the UYAP Information System, while also working as a business analyst for correctional institution software and project manager for the ACEP project.
Social Adaptation and Rehabilitation Measures in Probation Activities of Azerbaijan (PID230)
Social Adaptation and Rehabilitation Measures in Probation Activities of Azerbaijan (PID230)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This presentation analyses the current challenges in the field of probation in Azerbaijan and identifies priority directions for future development. At the present stage, key needs include the rehabilitation, social adaptation, and reintegration of individuals under probation supervision, as well as the effective organization of probation institutions.
The presentation emphasizes the promotion of volunteer involvement and the necessity of developing and implementing effective methods to prevent reoffending. One of the specially highlighted areas is the introduction of restorative justice—particularly mediation mechanisms between offenders and victims—and the implementation of pilot projects in this field in Azerbaijan.
Additionally, the expansion of non-custodial alternative sanctions and the revision of these measures within the framework of national legislation and international standards are considered essential. The tailored application of electronic monitoring systems and the enhancement of the effectiveness of rehabilitation measures in this context are also among the key issues addressed.
Vugar Aghayev, Head of Probation Service, Probation Service, Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan
Personal Bio
Mr. Vugar Aghayev holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Law from Baku State University (1997–2004). He has enhanced his professional expertise through participation in international programs, including the Human Rights Programme in Lund, Sweden, and the Open World Programme in the United States.
Throughout his career, Mr. Aghayev has played an active role in justice reform initiatives, serving as a focal point at the Ministry of Justice in various projects supported by the European Union and United Nations organizations. He began his career as a probation officer (2002–2006) and later held several senior roles within the Ministry of Justice Apparatus (2008–2020). From 2021 to 2024, he served as Deputy Head of the Inspectorate for Supervision over the Execution of Punishments, overseeing both penitentiary and probation services.
Since June 2024, Mr. Aghayev has been serving as the Director of the Probation Service at the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan, where he leads strategic initiatives aimed at modernizing the probation system and promoting community-based sanctions and measures.
Dr. Sayyad Macidov, Head of Social Adaptation and Rehabilitation Department, Probation Service, Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan
Personal Bio
Dr. Sayyad Macidov holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in International Law from the Higher Diplomatic College (1995–2001). He currently serves as an Associate Professor at the Justice Academy of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan and at Baku Eurasian University. Dr. Macidov is the author of several academic textbooks in the fields of human rights, international law, and international criminal law.
From 2010 to 2018, he held key positions within the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan, working in the Human Rights Department and serving as the Ministry's Press Officer. In addition to his academic and professional engagements, Dr. Macidov is a member of the International Federation of Journalists.
Since June 2024, Dr. Macidov has been heading the Social Adaptation and Rehabilitation Department of the Probation Service under the Ministry of Justice. In this capacity, he oversees the development and implementation of social adaptation and rehabilitation strategies for individuals under probation supervision, contributing to the reintegration of former offenders into society through structured and evidence-based programs.
Legal Reforms for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights in Türkiye (PID228)
Legal Reforms for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights in Türkiye (PID228)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Türkiye is undergoing comprehensive and multidimensional reform processes in the field of human rights.
This presentation offers a holistic overview of Türkiye’s recent human rights reforms, strategic documents, institutional frameworks, and alignment processes with its international obligations.
This presentation offers a holistic overview of Türkiye’s recent human rights reforms, strategic documents, institutional frameworks, and alignment processes with its international obligations.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the main objectives and implementation outcomes of the Human Rights Action Plan launched in 2021, and to gain a deeper understanding of the roles, mandates, and practical impact of national human rights institutions. The presentation will also include concrete examples of legislative changes adopted in line with the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.
In addition, the presentation will highlight practical initiatives such as training activities, publications, and awareness-raising campaigns aimed at promoting human rights awareness.
Participants are provided with an up-to-date, technical, and comprehensive perspective on Türkiye’s reform process in the field of human rights.
Selim Doğanay, Judge, Deputy Head of Human Rights Department, Human Rights Department, Ministry of Justice, Türkiye
Personal Bio
He was born in Ankara in 1983. He graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Law in 2005. He started his career as a candidate judge in 2006. He served as a judge in Karlıova/Bingöl, Alaplı/Zonguldak and Bandırma/Balıkesir districts. He served as a secondee at the European Court of Human Rights between 2020-2022. He currently serves as the Deputy Head of Department at the Human Rights Department of the Ministry of Justice. He is responsible for applications regarding the right to life and complaints of torture and ill-treatment.
Promotion of the Niğde Probation Directorate's Entrepreneurship Project For Offender Rehabilitation and Reintegration (PID225)
Promotion of the Niğde Probation Directorate's Entrepreneurship Project For Offender Rehabilitation and Reintegration (PID225)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
The Niğde Probation Directorate carries out self-employment projects aimed at supporting the reintegration of offenders into society. These initiatives focus on equipping individuals with entrepreneurial skills to promote economic independence and reduce the risk of reoffending. Through vocational training, participants are empowered to establish their own businesses and generate sustainable income. This not only helps strengthen their ties with the community but also enhances their social inclusion.
In addition to individual rehabilitation, these projects contribute to the labour market and aim to improve the overall welfare of society. As part of our successful practice, the directorate has supported initiatives in areas such as advertising signage, roofing systems, hairdressing, tailoring, cattle and sheep farming, as well as strawberry and salep cultivation. Furthermore, partnerships with public institutions through formal protocols play a vital role in sustaining and expanding these efforts.
Haydar Demir, Director, Probation Directorate of Niğde, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Haydar Demir currently works in the Probation Directorate of Niğde, which contributes to the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders through community-based practices. By implementing entrepreneurship-oriented projects, the directorate equips offenders with vocational skills, supporting their economic and social independence. Through these successful practices, the Probation Directorate plays an active role in strengthening the probation system in Türkiye. By developing sustainable solutions and fostering strong cooperation with public institutions, it aims to enhance social cohesion and serve as a model for effective reintegration within the criminal justice system.
Training of Refugee Offenders by Virtual Reality (TRAIVR) (PID218)
Training of Refugee Offenders by Virtual Reality (TRAIVR) (PID218)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
What if technology could break down language barriers, build life skills, and reduce reoffending—all at once?
The TRAIVR Project is redefining rehabilitation by using immersive virtual reality to support foreign offenders under probation, particularly those struggling with substance use. Traditional methods fall short when communication is limited—but VR doesn't rely on words. It creates safe, symbolic, and interactive environments where participants can practice stress management, emotional regulation, and real-world decision-making.Developed through an international partnership—led by Başkent University with support from Ankara Probation Directorate, Germany, Portugal, and Romania—TRAIVR turns probation into a transformative learning experience. Picture a virtual café, a government office, a park—familiar places where users face real-life challenges and learn to overcome them with confidence.
Join us to explore how gamified VR scenarios are helping bridge cultural gaps, enhance social integration, and offer new hope to those often overlooked by traditional systems. Whether you work in justice, education, mental health, or tech—this is where innovation meets impact.
Let’s talk about the future of rehabilitation—and why it might just be virtual.
Taner KOCALAR, Probation Director, Ankara Probation Directorate, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Taner KOCALAR is the current Director of the Ankara Probation Directorate and a public administrator with nearly 30 years of experience in Turkey’s judicial and penal systems. In his leadership roles at probation directorates across various provinces, he has prioritized the well-being of both staff and individuals under supervision, as well as the institutional resilience of the organizations. He leads the development and implementation of community-based rehabilitation programs grounded in human dignity and aimed at reintegrating individuals into society.
Following his education in Justice and Public Administration, Kocalar completed a master’s degree in Business Administration. He leads projects that support the professional well-being of employees, strengthen inter-institutional collaboration, and enhance the effectiveness of probation services. During his tenure at the Ankara Probation Directorate, he has introduced various innovative practices that improve the work environment for personnel and expand social support mechanisms for those under probation supervision. He is committed to contributing to the development of sustainable systems aimed at preventing recidivism and building healthier communities.
Workplace Culture in Prisons: Building Trust, Fairness, and Peer Support (PID076)
Workplace Culture in Prisons: Building Trust, Fairness, and Peer Support (PID076)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
The effective and reliable operation of prisons requires a strong workplace culture and a high level of institutional belonging. Employees’ commitment encourages them to perform their duties with dedication and enhances internal cooperation. Strengthening this sense of belonging allows staff not only to carry out tasks but also to feel like integral members of the institution. In prisons, where work conditions can be challenging and stressful,a strong sense of belonging fosters greater solidarity and collaboration among employees.
To boost motivation and reinforce institutional belonging, General Directorate organizes a variety of staff-centered activities.These events have been implemented across many prisons throughout the country. For instance, a Mother’s Day celebration for female staff at the Kayseri Women's Closed prison basic mountaineering and nature activities held at the Kahramanmaraş Personnel Training Center,concerts performed by a staff music group at the Ankara Training Center are all aimed at creating a productive and high-motivation work environment.
In many institutions,regularly organized events supported by management—such as annual football tournaments, weekend family picnics, and dinners on special occasions—help strengthen the bonds among staff members and enhance morale.
A management approach based on accountability contributes to building internal trust and encourages employees to act more responsibly.
A positive and inclusive work environment increases efficiency within correctional institutions.A fair workplace culture that respects diverse perspectives raises employee motivation At the same time, embracing the principles of respect for human rights and human dignity supports a just approach to the rehabilitation process of inmates.
Güler Bora, Prison Director, Kayseri Woman Prison, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Güler BORA was born on October 24, 1984. She successfully graduated from the Department of Chemistry at the Faculty of Science and Letters, Selçuk University in Konya, in 2008.
In 2011, she began her career as an Administrative Officer at the Sinop Penal Institution. In 2015, she was appointed as the director of Elazığ Type E Closed Penal Institution, and since 2021, she has been serving as the director of Kayseri Women's Closed Penal Institution.
In 2011, she began her career as an Administrative Officer at the Sinop Penal Institution. In 2015, she was appointed as the director of Elazığ Type E Closed Penal Institution, and since 2021, she has been serving as the director of Kayseri Women's Closed Penal Institution.
With the aim of contributing to the development of a modern penal system, she actively participated in the international project titled "Improving Disciplinary and Reward Practices for Detainees and Convicts." Through the experience she gained in these projects, she has contributed to the implementation of innovative practices aimed at the rehabilitation-focused transformation of penal institutions.
She continues to lead efforts within her institution to foster a strong workplace culture, enhance collaboration among staff, and promote a positive working environment.
3pm – 3.30pm GMT+03:00
A Multidimensional View of Mothers' Sensitive Care Approach in Penitentiary Institutions (PID217)
A Multidimensional View of Mothers' Sensitive Care Approach in Penitentiary Institutions (PID217)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
How can a mother care for her baby with sensitivity and emotional attunement—within the walls of a prison? This presentation offers a compelling look into the overlooked reality of incarcerated mothers and their efforts to nurture their children under the weight of confinement. Drawing on insights from developmental psychology and correctional studies, the session explores how the concept of “sensitive caregiving” unfolds in environments that are rarely designed with children—or parenting—in mind.
We will take participants on a journey through the early developmental needs of children and the central role of mothers in supporting these needs. But this journey also passes through the lived realities of incarceration: institutional restrictions, emotional strain, lack of resources, and disrupted attachment. Through this lens, we will consider not only the challenges but also the possibilities: How can prison systems better support mothers to provide responsive, nurturing care? What programs exist—and what models are emerging—that create space for real human connection between mother and child, even behind bars?With real-world examples, research insights, and policy implications, this presentation invites us to rethink caregiving as a core part of correctional justice—not a luxury, but a necessity.
The presentation will also discuss the institutional model developed within the scope of the “Annemleyim Project”, which is one of the important steps taken in this field in Turkiye and carried out with the support of the European Union. This model aims to provide a sensitive and development-supportive environment for children staying with their mothers in penal institutions.
Prof. Müdriye Yıldız BIÇAKÇI, Professor, Ankara University, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Prof. Dr. Müdriye Yıldız Bıçakçı is a leading scholar in the field of early childhood education and child development in Türkiye. With over two decades of academic experience, her work focuses on the social-emotional development of children, parent-child interaction, and the role of early intervention in at-risk populations. She has conducted extensive research on parental sensitivity, attachment, and caregiving practices in diverse and challenging contexts, including institutional and correctional settings.
She is particularly known for her commitment to bridging research and practice, working closely with practitioners, educators, and policymakers to improve the quality of early childhood services. Her recent work explores how sensitive caregiving can be adapted and supported in environments such as prisons, where mothers and children face exceptional developmental and psychological vulnerabilities. As a professor at Ankara University, she has mentored numerous graduate students and contributed to national and international projects that center children’s rights and family well-being. Prof. Yıldız Bıçakçı brings to her presentations both scientific depth and a strong sense of social responsibility, making her sessions both insightful and deeply human-centered. Within the scope of the "Technical Support for Developing of an Institutional Model for Children Staying with Their Mothers in Penal Institutions Project" which was carried out in cooperation with the European Union and the Ministry of Justice, she served as a team leader and took part in the team that developed the applied model.
3pm – 3.45pm GMT+03:00
Two Paths, One Goal? The Evolving Relationship Between Restorative Justice and Probation (PID089)
Two Paths, One Goal? The Evolving Relationship Between Restorative Justice and Probation (PID089)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Can two seemingly different paths to justice—restorative justice and probation—truly work hand in hand, or do their foundational differences demand a clearer separation? Both approaches offer alternatives to incarceration, prioritizing offender accountability and social repair, which often leads to their pairing in academic and policy debates. Yet restorative justice is rooted in victim-centered, community-driven practices, while probation operates within the traditional penal system, focusing on supervision and rehabilitation. This paper investigates where these models align, where they diverge, and whether integrating restorative principles into probation can enhance outcomes or blur essential distinctions in criminal justice reform. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for developing more coherent and effective justice policies.
Dr. Rahime Erbaş, Associate Professor of Law at Istanbul Law Faculty, Istanbul University, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Rahime ERBAŞ is an Associate Professor of Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure at Istanbul University. She has edited books: E. Johnston, R. Erbaş and D. Jasinski, A Comparative Analysis of Pre-Trial Procedure in Europe: The Search for an Ideal Model (Istanbul University Press, 2020) and V. Bonini and R. Erbaş, The 10th Anniversary of the Istanbul Convention (Pisa University Press, 2022). Books as sole editor, Global Problems in Sexual Offenses (Lexington, 2022), Combatting Violence against Women from a Criminal Law Perspective I, II, III (Turkish: Adalet, 2022; 2023; 2024), Sexual Offenses from Legal and Criminological Perspective (Turkish: Adalet, 2023), European Perspectives on Attrition in Sexual Offenses (Lexington, 2023) and Restorative Justice Conversations with the Experts (Adalet, 2024). She is a section editor at the Journal of Penal Law and Criminology. Further, she serves as an Editorial Board Member of Women’s Studies International Forum, an Elsevier journal. ORCID: 0000-0002-6257-4312
Digital Healing: Transforming Prison Healthcare Through e-Doctor Solutions (PID139)
Digital Healing: Transforming Prison Healthcare Through e-Doctor Solutions (PID139)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
How do you deliver timely, efficient, and secure healthcare to thousands of inmates spread across an entire country? Türkiye has answered this question with a bold and innovative step: the e-Doctor system. This cutting-edge digital solution is transforming the way correctional healthcare is delivered—eliminating unnecessary transfers, reducing costs, and bringing doctors virtually inside prison walls.
In a world where digital transformation is reshaping public services, Türkiye’s e-Doctor initiative offers a compelling case study of how technology can enhance inmate well-being, reduce operational strain, and strengthen institutional safety. Currently implemented in 176 prisons nationwide, the system allows remote medical consultations, digital prescriptions, triage support, and health record integration—all while maintaining strict security standards.
Berker KÜÇÜKÇETİN, Chief of R&D Project Office, Administrative Officer, General Directorate of Prison and Detention Houses, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Berker Küçükçetin is working at the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses of Türkiye under the Ministry of Justice and is also a prison administrator. He is actively involved in the ACEP Project and other digitalization initiatives in Turkish prisons. These projects have made possible services such as video calling, e-doctor services and the digital sending of letters and petitions.
As a two-term member and Türkiye representative of the EuroPris ICT expert group, Mr. Küçükçetin actively promotes digital transformation in correctional systems at the international level. He is also working to establish a prison digitalization cooperation network among other states.
How can Data-Informed Systems Contribute to the Development of Psychosocial Services? (PID069)
How can Data-Informed Systems Contribute to the Development of Psychosocial Services? (PID069)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Psychosocial services are an essential component of the justice system. Data-informed systems can also be utilized to support the development of these services. Key areas where data-informed systems can be applied in psychosocial service practices include: assessing risks and needs, conducting effective assessments, assigning individuals to appropriate programs, identifying the actual demand for specific interventions, monitoring rehabilitation outcomes, and providing feedback to staff members.
This presentation will introduce the structure and outcomes of the ARDEF system, which has been developed and implemented in Türkiye. In addition, the presentation will open a discussion on the critical considerations and potential challenges associated with the use of such systems.
Prof. Dr. Kültegin ÖGEL, Consultant, Istanbul Addiction Academy, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Since the early 2000s, I have been providing consultancy services within the justice system. I have worked as a project leader and consultant in numerous projects run by UNICEF and the European Union. By profession, I am an addiction specialist. I am one of the developers of the Research and Evaluation Form (ARDEF), which is used in Turkish prisons and probation institutions. This form identifies risks and needs, and it is administered to every individual entering the prison or probation system. As a result, it has generated data on millions of individuals.
In addition, I have developed numerous psychosocial programs for individuals in prisons and under probation. These programs are still in use in these institutions today. They include addiction intervention programs as well as personal development programs. I have also played a role in the development of programs targeting institutional staff.
A Prison Model Focused on Treatment, Guidance, and Rehabilitation for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders (PID154)
A Prison Model Focused on Treatment, Guidance, and Rehabilitation for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders (PID154)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
A new correctional institution model is proposed that centers on treatment and rehabilitation while simultaneously enforcing the sentences of individuals with substance use disorders. The “Prison Model for the Treatment, Guidance, and Rehabilitation of Substance-Dependent Individuals” represents a holistic approach aimed not only at the punishment of addicted individuals but also at their reintegration into society as healthy and productive members. Services provided by a multidisciplinary team include medical treatment, psychosocial support, vocational training, and social reintegration programs. This model offers a significant opportunity for transformation within the correctional system and makes a strategic contribution to both public health and public safety.
Merve ÇAKIROĞLU, Branch Manager, General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses, Türkiye
Personal Bio
She was born in 1984 in Istanbul, where she completed her primary, secondary and high school education. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at Istanbul University in 2008. In 2018, she completed her master's degree in Trauma Psychology at the Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Health Sciences, Kocaeli University. From 2009 to 2018, she worked using the cognitive behavioral therapy approach. Between 2018 and 2023, she completed the theoretical and practical training of the Gestalt Therapy Education Program organized by the Gestalt Therapy Association. She continues her practice within the framework of the Gestalt therapy approach. In 2024, she began her Ph.D. studies in the Fine Arts Education Program at Ankara University’s Institute of Educational Sciences.
Between 2008 and 2012, she worked as a family counselor at a private institution. From 2012 to 2014, she served as a psychologist at the Istanbul Anatolian Probation Directorate. Between 2014 and 2022, she worked at the Directorate General of Prisons and Detention Houses, Department of Probation under the Ministry of Justice. From 2022 to 2024, she served as a psychologist in the Child Services Office at the Ankara Probation Directorate. As of September 2024, she has been serving as the Branch Manager in the Psycho-Social Services Bureau at the Department of Rehabilitation and Reintegration within the Directorate General of Prisons and Detention Houses. She has an intermediate level of English proficiency.
The Place of Staff-Prisoner Relationship in the Visits of National Preventive Mechanisms: The Case Study of Türkiye (PID148)
The Place of Staff-Prisoner Relationship in the Visits of National Preventive Mechanisms: The Case Study of Türkiye (PID148)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This study focuses on the powers and powers of national preventive mechanisms (NPMs) in monitoring the relationship between the personnel in penal institutions and the prisoners held in prisons, through the case study of Türkiye. Does the NPM of Türkiye work effectively? Does the NPM of Türkiye address the staff-prisoner relationship during penal institution visits? What are the topics that the NPM of Türkiye evaluates and the recommendations it gives regarding the staff-prisoner relationship?
This study aims to find answers to above three questions. In this context, this study, firstly, the roles of OPCAT and NPMs established within the framework of OPCAT will be discussed. One of the powers and mandates of NPMs is to monitor the staff-prisoner relationship in prisons. After compiling the topics that can be monitored within this framework, the example of Türkiye will be discussed. Statistical data regarding the penal institution visits and visiting reports of the NPM of Türkiye will be shared. Then, the topics affecting the staff-prisoner relationship in these reports will be tried to be shared through the reports. In this context, four topics in particular will be detailed with the findings in different reports. These are; a. the importance of a sufficient number of expert personnel b. Compliance with legislation in search c. Training of prison staff and d. Negative and Positive Obligations of the State.
Dr. Ertuğrul Yazar, Expert on Human Rights and Equality, Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Dr. Yazar has been working as a “Human Rights and Equality Expert” at the Turkish Human Rights and Equality Institution since 2015. He has visited many penal institutions, removal centers, detention centers, and other detention centers under the roof of the institution and contributed to the report writing process. He took part in projects of international organizations and provided human rights training to many students, public officials, and representatives of civil society organizations. He taught the course “Human Rights in Penal Institutions” at the university. His articles include; 1. International Human Rights Standards for Staff-Prisoner Relationship in Penitentiary Institutions 2. Human Rights of Prisoners in Penitentiary Institutions: Developments under the Human Rights Action Plan Completed in the 100th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic 3. Right to Transfer of Prisoners in Turkey within the Framework of National and International Standards 4. Administration of Penal Institutions in the Face of Overcrowding. He continues to produce publications on human rights, migration, security and places of detention.
3.30pm – 4pm GMT+03:00
Organic Farming as a Strategy for Inmate Rehabilitation (PID224)
Organic Farming as a Strategy for Inmate Rehabilitation (PID224)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Organic farming in prisons offers an innovative and sustainable approach to rehabilitation, vocational training, and social reintegration by engaging inmates in environmentally friendly agricultural practices. This method not only provides prisoners with practical skills and work habits but also supports their mental and physical well-being. By cultivating organic produce, inmates contribute to biodiversity conservation, sustainable land use, and healthy food systems within prison settings. These activities enhance their sense of responsibility, teamwork, and self-worth. However, despite its many benefits, structured organic farming programs are still rare in Türkiye and Europe. There is a growing need for comprehensive training programs for prison staff and inmates. Such programs will empower inmates with employable skills and a renewed sense of purpose, easing their transition into society after release.
The activities of the project “Cooperation for the Improvement of Sustainable and Organic Social Farming Practices in Prison”, coordinated by Germany with partners Turkey, Portugal, and Italy, are presented in this paper. Turkey participates in the project through its collaboration with the Workhouse Directorate of Detention Houses for Prisons and Criminal Institutions. The project focuses on developing training and practical education in sustainable farming for educators, staff, and inmates to promote skills, entrepreneurship, and eco-friendly prison farming practices.
Prof. Dr. Hamide Gübbük, Professor, Akdeniz University, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Dr. Hamide Gübbük has been actively involved in more than 25 national and international research projects, serving either as principal investigator or researcher. These projects have primarily focused on tropical and subtropical fruit crops. She is also working on social farming for more than 10 years. She is involved in 3 international social farming project. She has supervised 11 master’s thesis and 6 doctoral dissertations. Dr. Hamide Gübbük has authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications in the field of horticulture. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals.
Dr. Recep Balkıç, Lecturer, Akdeniz University, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Dr. Recep Balkıç completed his undergraduate, master's, and PhD studies at Akdeniz University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture. He conducted his master's and Ph.D. research under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Hamide Gübbük. His research focuses on fruit cultivation and breeding, particularly tropical fruit crops. He has worked as a researcher in many projects together with Prof. Dr. Hamide Gübbük. In addition, he is currently involved as a researcher in an international project on social farming.
Dr. Lokman Altınkaya, Lecturer, Akdeniz University, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Dr. Lokman Altınkaya has been working with Prof. Dr. Hamide Gübbük at the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Akdeniz University since 2013. He completed his undergraduate, master's degrees, and PhD degrees at the same University. His areas of specialization include the adaptation, the cultivation, and the breeding of tropical fruit species and varieties. Currently, he is also involved as a researcher in an international project on social farming, collaborating with various institutions and organizations.
Children in the Shadow of Justice: Trauma, Resilience and Restorative Approaches (PID223)
Children in the Shadow of Justice: Trauma, Resilience and Restorative Approaches (PID223)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
The challenges faced by children within the justice system reveal that they need not only protection but also to be heard, recognized, and healed. Lives shaped by various traumatic disruptions point to a deep social issue beyond individual trauma. Making these children visible requires not only understanding them but also strengthening the structures that support them adequately. Listening to children growing up within the justice system is not merely a clinical necessity but also an ethical, a political, and a social responsibility. This presentation will discuss how restorative justice can contribute to the psychological and social healing of these children.
Dr Berna AYGÜN, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Assistant Professor, Halic University Medical Faculty, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Dr. Berna Aygün is a child and adolescent psychiatrist who completed her residency at Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine (ÇAPA), with a thesis titled “An Investigation of the Factors Related to Juvenile Delinquency Among Children and Adolescents Exposed to Forced Migration”.
For over a decade, she has been actively involved in various child protection initiatives within civil society organizations. Her experience includes coordinating Relief, PSS (Psychosocial Support), and MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support) interventions in disaster-affected regions; training and supervising PSS teams working with children in conflict with the law; contributing to the revision of post-crisis support programs; developing reintegration strategies for children under probation; and leading psychosocial support activities for children in state care as well as those affected by war and displacement.
In addition to her extensive fieldwork focused on childhood trauma, she currently serves as an assistant professor at the University of California and a national private university. She also maintains a clinical practice at a private hospital, working with children and adolescents from a psychodynamic psychotherapy perspective.
3.45pm – 4.30pm GMT+03:00
Rehabilitation Homes (Halfway House) in The Penal System (PID182)
Rehabilitation Homes (Halfway House) in The Penal System (PID182)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
One of the systems implemented for the reintegration of convicts in penal institutions into society, in other words, for convicts to continue their lives in society as responsible individuals who obey the rules after being released from the penal institution, is "rehabilitation houses" (halfway house).
After being released from the penal institution for a short or long period, an individual needs a place to stay, a job to work and some time to establish social relationships in order to adapt to social life, in other words, to continue life where he left off. During the adaptation period to life, a temporary place to stay should be provided for the convict who is released from the penal institution, and the person should be prepared for social life by providing psychosocial support in this place. Operating under different names in different parts of the world, “rehabilitation houses” (halfway house) have been operating in the United States for more than 100 years. It has been determined that the application of halfway houses has increased with the increasing interest in community-based rehabilitation programs since the 1950s.
Dr. Vehbi Kadri KAMER, Public Prosecutor at the Izmir Regional Court of Justice, Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Justice, Türkiye
Personal Bio
After starting his career as a judge candidate, he served as a public prosecutor and was appointed as an Investigating Judge at the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses of the Ministry of Justice in 2001. He was appointed as the Head of the Department Responsible for Probation Services in 2005, the Head of the Department Responsible for Education in 2010 and the Head of the Department of Workplaces Institution in 2014. He was appointed as the Public Prosecutor of the Supreme Court of Appeals in 2017. He began his career as a public prosecutor at the Izmir Regional Court of Justice in 2024.
He completed his master's degree on "Administration of Penal Institutions" between 2003-2004 and his doctorate on "The Role of Penal Institutions and Probation Departments in the Socialization of Children Dragged into Crime" at Gazi University between 2010-2015.
Eight books have been published. He has eighteen articles in “Justice Journal”, “Turkish Justice Academy Journal”, “Turkish Bar Association Journals”, ninety articles in “Sesleniş Newspaper”. He gave lectures on “management of penal institutions”, “probation system” and “child law” at the Turkish Justice Academy. He presented fifty-nine papers in seminars, conferences and congresses.
He served as “Advisory Board Member” at the International Children’s Justice Symposium and as “Scientific Board Member” at the 10th Year Probation Symposium in Türkiye.
He conducted studies in Austria, Germany, the United States, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, England, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan and Portugal to conduct studies on “Judicial System” and “Management of Penal Institutions”.
Silent Transformation Through Art: An Expressive Therapy Experience with Forensic Psychiatric Inmates in Correctional Institutions (PID226)
Silent Transformation Through Art: An Expressive Therapy Experience with Forensic Psychiatric Inmates in Correctional Institutions (PID226)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This study examines the functionality of expressive art therapy practices conducted with psychiatric inmates undergoing inpatient treatment in a correctional institution, with a particular focus on the services known as THAP.
As a result of the expressive art therapy sessions, various indicators of improvement were observed among inmate participants with psychiatric disorders at the group level. Most participants demonstrated increased emotional awareness, enhanced emotional expression skills, improved empathy in social interactions, and a strengthened sense of belonging within the group.
Overall, expressive art therapy practices in correctional settings offer a functional alternative or complement to traditional verbal therapies, supporting both psychiatric and social well-being.
Meltem YAMAKOĞLU, Psychologist, Menemen T Type Closed Prison, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Meltem Yamakoğlu is a psychologist currently working at Menemen Type T Closed Penal Institution in Türkiye. Prior to this role, she served as a psychologist in various correctional institutions and probation directorates and worked at the Personnel Training Office of the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses. She has also served as a temporary instructor at several staff training centres affiliated with the General Directorate, delivering training on psychological practices within the correctional system.
Her professional experience focuses on psychosocial interventions with incarcerated individuals, including those with psychiatric diagnoses. She has a particular interest in the use of expressive arts therapy as a rehabilitative approach within closed penal institutions. Meltem’s work integrates clinical insight with applied correctional psychology, aiming to support the rehabilitation and mental health of inmates.
Accessible Healthcare Services and Reintegration through Rehabilitation Processes within the Framework of Human Rights in Penal Institutions (PID164)
Accessible Healthcare Services and Reintegration through Rehabilitation Processes within the Framework of Human Rights in Penal Institutions (PID164)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This presentation addresses Türkiye’s human rights-based approach to healthcare access in penal institutions. Through structural reforms, significant steps have been taken to provide equitable, continuous, and accessible healthcare services to convicts and detainees. Work is being carried out on the integration of public health principles into the penal institution environment, along with the understanding of the state's responsibility to "protect the health and dignity of prisoners and detainees".
The presentation will cover key topics such as internal and external healthcare services, efforts within the scope of combating addiction, and health programs focused on physical and mental rehabilitation.
In addition, examples will be provided regarding practices such as family medicine services, dental care, hospital examinations and treatments, mental health services, and addiction treatment and rehabilitation, within the framework of the collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
The aim is to demonstrate that penal institutions can go beyond merely implementing rehabilitation policies and instead provide a holistic, rights-based service model grounded in the right to health and ensuring dignified living conditions for prisoners and detainees.
Dr. Mustafa Burak AÇOĞLU, Head of Health Departmant, Doctor, General Directorate of Prison and Detention Houses, MoJ, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Dr. Mustafa Burak ACOGLU, was born in 1981 in Kahramanmaras, Turkiye. In addition to his medical education, he completed degrees in Health Management, Sociology and Justice, and he also received specialization training in Forensic Psychology.
Dr. ACOGLU began his career as a doctor within the Ministry of Health and later on he held various administrative positions such as chief physician, provincial health administrator, and project coordinator.
Since 2020, he has been serving as the Head of the Health Department at the General Directorate of Prison and Detention Houses under the Ministry of Justice. In this position, he has led significant reforms and projects aimed at improving healthcare services in penal institutions across Turkiye. These projects include; the management of the COVID-19 pandemic period in penal institutions, the E-Doctor Project which developed under the Smart Technologies Integration Project (ACEP), specialized institutions providing treatment and rehabilitation services for prisoners with physical or mental health needs or substance use histories, the implementation of forensic psychiatry (THAP) hospital units in various provinces, The establishment of campus hospitals and district outpatient clinics within penal institution complexes.
Dr. ACOGLU, has worked in cooperation with international organizations such as Council of Europe and he also played an active role in a great number of national and international projects. His areas of expertise include penal institution healthcare systems, public health management and the interaction between health and law, he continues his work in these fields.
Policies and Practices for the Rehabilitation of Special Needs Offenders in Penal Institutions (PID169)
Policies and Practices for the Rehabilitation of Special Needs Offenders in Penal Institutions (PID169)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Ensuring the rehabilitation of special needs offenders in penal institutions is a fundamental requirement of human rights standards.This study explores rehabilitation policies for special needs offenders in penal institutions, including individuals vulnerable due to age, disability, health, gender identity, race, substance abuse, or the type of crime they were convicted of. By examining international practices in the USA, UK, Canada, Italy, and Germany, the research identifies effective strategies and highlights areas open to development in Türkiye’s approach. Findings reveal that while other countries offer tailored support and specialized programs, Türkiye’s practices are mostly standardized. This presentation will offer recommendations for improving rehabilitation policies in Türkiye.
Selen ÇAKIRHAN, Researcher, ZFA Research, Training and Consultancy, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Selen Çakırhan is a criminologist with a strong interdisciplinary background, holding an M.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from İstanbul University and a B.A. in Psychology from Boğaziçi University. Her research primarily focuses on offender rehabilitation, sexual crimes, and violence against women. She has published extensively in both national and international academic venues, contributing to the understanding of criminal behavior and victimology. Her master’s thesis explored the psychopathology and life histories of sexual offenders through the Dark Triad perspective.
The Importance of Motivational Personnel Training in the Healthy Functioning of the Penal Enforcement System (PID149)
The Importance of Motivational Personnel Training in the Healthy Functioning of the Penal Enforcement System (PID149)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
The success of penal systems requires not only the implementation of existing rules but also the continuous support of the personnel in terms of knowledge, skills and psychosocial aspects. The contemporary understanding of execution, which is based on human dignity, is based on the continuous development of the professional competence of the personnel, their acting with a sense of belonging and their psychosocial support.
In Türkiye, the training of the personnel of the penal system is carried out within a planned and continuous institutionalized structure. These trainings, which are shaped according to the needs in the field and strengthened with content that prioritizes individual development, do not only provide legal knowledge; they also undertake critical functions such as preventing professional burnout, reinforcing the sense of belonging and keeping motivation alive. Every element, from sociocultural activities to technological infrastructure, is an integral part of this process. While the trainings, which are shaped in line with the demands from the field, are developed and updated with feedback; the technological equipment and social activities of the training centres make the learning process more effective and efficient.
As a result; highly motivated personnel who are strengthened by education are not only the implementers of the penal system, but also the guarantors of justice, human rights and social security. This motivation supported by education is the most powerful dynamic that carries the penal system forward.
Gökhan Köseoğlu, Judge, Head of Personnel Training Department, General Directorate of Prison and Detention Houses Türkiye, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Gökhan KÖSEOĞLU, currently serving as the Head of Personnel Training Department of the General Directorate of Prison and Detention Houses Türkiye, has built an extensive career within the Turkish legal and penal system since graduating from Ankara University Faculty of Law in 2002. After completing his law internship at the Ankara Bar Association, the same year, he worked as a freelance lawyer, registered with the Hatay Bar Association in 2003.
His prosecutorial roles include positions as the Amasya/Suluova Public Prosecutor from 2006 to 2008, the Hatay/Altınözü Public Prosecutor from 2008 to 2011, and later, the Ankara Public Prosecutor from 2016 to 2019. Köseoğlu also served as an investigating judge of the Supreme Court of Appeals between 2011 and 2013, as well as at the Ministry of Justice, General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses from 2013 to 2016, and was the Supreme Court of Appeals Public Prosecutor from 2019 to 2022.
His prosecutorial roles include positions as the Amasya/Suluova Public Prosecutor from 2006 to 2008, the Hatay/Altınözü Public Prosecutor from 2008 to 2011, and later, the Ankara Public Prosecutor from 2016 to 2019. Köseoğlu also served as an investigating judge of the Supreme Court of Appeals between 2011 and 2013, as well as at the Ministry of Justice, General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses from 2013 to 2016, and was the Supreme Court of Appeals Public Prosecutor from 2019 to 2022.
His contributions to the Turkish Penal Execution System are significant, including the preparation of the "Penal Execution Institutions and Detention Houses Monitoring Boards Training Textbook" for the Ministry of Justice. Köseoğlu has also represented Turkey in international forums, such as a study visit to Sweden in 2014 for the "Technical Assistance Project for the Improvement of Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Services in Penal Institutions", the European Organization of Prisons and Correctional Services meeting in Portugal/Lisbon in 2015, and the European Prison Training Academies (EPTA) Network meeting in Tallinn/Estonia in 2023.
4pm – 4.30pm GMT+03:00
Juvenile Reformarory House’s Success in International Cooking Competition (PID227)
Juvenile Reformarory House’s Success in International Cooking Competition (PID227)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Urla Juvenile Reformatory is the only facility in Turkey for rehabilitating female juvenile inmates. To support their reintegration, vocational training like cooking courses are offered. On April 10, 2025, 13 girls began a Turkish cuisine cooking course. To boost their confidence and career prospects, the institution applied for their participation in the International Gastro Bodrum Festival.
With approval, they entered the Artisan Bread category with 35 types of bread. On May 24, they won 4 gold, 9 silver, and 1 bronze medals. Awards were presented in a ceremony at the facility. This success increased their motivation and engagement in vocational training, contributing positively to their rehabilitation and future integration into society.
Sabri HATIPOĞLU, Social Worker, Urla Juvenile Reformatory House, Türkiye
Personal Bio
Sabri Hatipoğlu has worked as a Social Worker for 21 years within the Psycho-Social Support Unit in penal institutions affiliated with the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses under the Ministry of Justice. In this role, he carries out individual counseling, group work, social and cultural activities, and projects aimed at the rehabilitation and reintegration of all convicted and detained individuals, including vulnerable groups such as children, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Most recently, he has been working at the Urla Juvenile Reformatory, the only institution in Türkiye specifically for convicted female juveniles. In this unique setting, he conducts specialized programs and projects, particularly focused on vocational training, to support the rehabilitation and future integration of these girls into society.
Ali ÇINAR, Psychologist, Urla Juvenile Reformatory House, Türkiye
Personal Bio
As a psychologist working within the penal institutions affiliated with the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses under the Ministry of Justice, he has dedicated 13 years to promoting the psychological well-being, rehabilitation, and social reintegration of incarcerated individuals. His responsibilities have included conducting individual therapy sessions, facilitating group counseling, carrying out psychological assessments, and developing intervention programs tailored to inmates’ mental health needs.
Throughout his career, he has worked extensively with vulnerable groups such as children, women, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities, with the aim of supporting emotional stability and reducing the risk of recidivism through targeted psychological interventions.
Most recently, he has been serving at the Urla Juvenile Reformatory, the only correctional facility in Türkiye exclusively for convicted female juveniles. In this unique setting, he leads specialized psychological programs and collaborates on vocational training initiatives designed to strengthen the self-esteem and adaptive skills of the residents, supporting their personal development and successful reintegration into society after release.
Diversion in the Field of Juvenile Justice (PID220)
Diversion in the Field of Juvenile Justice (PID220)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Children in conflict with the law have the right to be treated in a way that promotes their sense of dignity and worth, encourages their reintegration into society, and supports their constructive roles in society.
In this context, traditional punishment methods often fail to take into account children's physical and psychological development, as well as their emotional and educational needs. This situation further highlights the need to encourage children to focus on rehabilitation and restorative justice goals.
In fact, UNICEF's Child Protection Strategy (2021-2030) places the prevention of crime and violence against children at the center of its approach. The strategy includes access to justice as one of its thematic priorities, including the support of restorative justice approaches and the dissemination of diversion plans. In this context, the dissemination and prioritization of diversion practices, the standard implementation of restorative justice approaches, and the integration of mental health and psychosocial support in juvenile justice systems are important issues.
Emre Özcan, Judge, Head of the Child Services Department, Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Türkiye
Personal Bio
Emre Özcan, who started his duty in 2009, worked as a public prosecutor in various provinces since 2012.
Emre Özcan, who has been working as a judge at the Court of Cassation since 2015, started working as a judge at the Ministry of Justice in 2019. He made presentations at numerous national and international meetings, conferences and symposiums at the Ministry of Justice.
Emre Özcan, who has been working as a judge at the Court of Cassation since 2015, started working as a judge at the Ministry of Justice in 2019. He made presentations at numerous national and international meetings, conferences and symposiums at the Ministry of Justice.
In 2022, he worked for 3 months at the General Directorate of Human Rights and Rule of Law of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg and was appointed as the Head of the Department of Children's Services at the Ministry of Justice in the same year. In addition to child handover and personal relationship procedures for the reunification of children of divorced families with their parents, he is involved in numerous studies including measures taken in accordance with the Child Protection Law, Juvenile Justice Centers, and prevention of repeat offending in children dragged into crime. His doctoral studies in the field of Criminal Law are ongoing.
8pm – 11pm GMT+03:00
Special Event Dinner and ICPA Correctional Excellence Awards Ceremony
Special Event Dinner and ICPA Correctional Excellence Awards Ceremony
Special Event Dinner and ICPA Correctional Excellence Awards Ceremony
Get ready for a vibrant night filled with the swing spirit of the 1930s, French chansons, and jazz covers!
Founded in Istanbul in 2015, Manuş-u Ala draws inspiration from the “gypsy jazz” movement pioneered by Django Reinhardt, interpreting swing, bossa nova, and bolero tunes in their own unique style. Their repertoire also includes jazz adaptations of popular Turkish and international pop songs from the '80s and '90s. Manuş-u Ala offers audiences a fun and nostalgic atmosphere on the stage.
Thursday 30 October
9am – 9.45am GMT+03:00
Beyond Survival: Prison Conditions Matter for Wellbeing (PID305)
Beyond Survival: Prison Conditions Matter for Wellbeing (PID305)
Plenary Session
Abstract Summary
Imprisonment is consistently associated with high levels of psychological distress, self-harm, and suicide. The prison environment can exacerbate feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, and physical complaints. This has implications for the safety of incarcerated individuals and staff working conditions. However, these negative effects are not wholly inevitable: they are shaped by how imprisonment is organised. Both physical conditions and the relational context affect the wellbeing of people in prison. Physical and material conditions include factors such as the design of the living environment, the degree of privacy, and access to activities. Spatial and material choices can promote wellbeing, dignity and humane treatment for incarcerated people. The relational context involves interactions between staff and incarcerated individuals, as well as the social relations among those imprisoned.
Positive and fair contact with staff and safety are important elements of prison climate. While incarceration is inherently restrictive, some environments are experienced as more punitive or degrading than others – with measurable consequences for mental health and safety. Recent research has made advances in mapping (differences in) prison conditions within and between countries, and linking these to relevant outcomes. These findings show that (policy) choices on national and institutional level translate directly to the lived experience of imprisonment. This means that policymakers and prison managers have options to reduce psychological harm and improve wellbeing of incarcerated people. Wellbeing is therefore not a secondary or merely individual matter, but deeply embedded in the prison system itself – and thus shaped by policy, architecture, and everyday practices. A positive prison climate, characterised by space for autonomy, safety, meaningful relationships, and preparation for release, can reduce psychological distress, help prevent incidents, and improve prospects for reintegration. Ethical architecture can reinforce this by demonstrating that prison environments can also embody values such as dignity and rehabilitation.
Dr. Esther van Ginneken, Associate Professor, Leiden University, Netherlands
Personal Bio
Dr. Esther van Ginneken is an associate professor in criminology at Leiden University’s Faculty of Law. She has conducted extensive research on imprisonment, in England and the Netherlands. As former principal investigator of the Life in Custody Study, she worked with colleagues to develop the Prison Climate Questionnaire. This is periodically used to measure prison conditions in the Netherlands, and has also been adopted by researchers in various other countries. Using data from all prisons in the Netherlands, Dr. Esther van Ginneken has examined the relationship between prison conditions and wellbeing, misconduct, and recidivism. She has also conducted research on cell sharing, and posttraumatic growth among incarcerated individuals.
Recently, Dr. Esther van Ginneken completed an ethnographic study in three women’s prisons in the Netherlands, with a particular emphasis on boundaries and safety in interactions among staff, among incarcerated women, and between staff and incarcerated women. She is currently principal investigator of a five-year project (2023-2027) on violence in prisons, which includes interviews with prison managers, staff, and incarcerated individuals; an experiment with virtual reality; and an ethnographic study on staff use of violence. This study shows the importance of considering situational factors, in addition to environmental and individual influences.
9.45am – 10.30am GMT+03:00
Preventing Burnout in Probation: Towards a Resilient Workforce Through Organisational Strategies – Findings From a European Survey (PID235)
Preventing Burnout in Probation: Towards a Resilient Workforce Through Organisational Strategies – Findings From a European Survey (PID235)
Plenary Session
Abstract Summary
As probation services across Europe face increasing workloads, complex client needs, and heightened exposure to secondary trauma, the risk of staff burnout has become a pressing organisational concern. This plenary presentation unveils preliminary findings from a pan-European survey conducted among Directors-General and senior management in probation, aimed at assessing how different jurisdictions are addressing burnout prevention from a systemic, organisational perspective. Drawing on Freudenberger’s seminal concept of burnout as emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion due to chronic workplace stress, the survey captures primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies adopted by probation agencies.
The presentation highlights promising practices such as structured staff wellbeing programs, confidential feedback mechanisms, horizontal and vertical communication initiatives, and access to mental health services. However, the data also reveal significant variability in policy implementation, the absence of systematic assessment tools in many jurisdictions, and limited post-trauma support for staff. By triangulating survey responses with the existing empirical literature on occupational health in criminal justice settings, we identify key organisational enablers of resilience and formulate evidence-based recommendations for probation leadership and policymakers.
The findings support a shift from individual-level coping interventions toward holistic, organisational responses that embed staff wellbeing within the culture and governance of probation services. This evidence-informed agenda offers a shared platform for dialogue, innovation, and cross-jurisdictional learning across ICPA member organisations.
Ioan Durnescu, Professor, University of Bucharest's Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, Romania
Personal Bio
Prof. Dr. Ioan Durnescu is a professor at the University of Bucharest's Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, where he engages in the teaching and research of probation, prison reform, and deradicalization. His academic interests are deeply rooted in the comparative study of probation systems, the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals, and the development of effective interventions with justice-involved persons. Throughout his career, he has had the opportunity to conduct training sessions on core correctional skills across various countries, including Slovenia, Jordan, Moldova, Spain, Croatia, Armenia and Kosovo. These sessions have not only allowed him to impart his knowledge but also to learn from the unique challenges and solutions found in different cultural contexts. In his role as one of the editors for the European Journal of Probation, Prof. Dr. Durnescu contributes to the critical examination and dissemination of research that informs best practices in probation. He also pioneered the creation of ReHub, an innovative app designed to translate scientific research into practical tools for those working in prisons and probation services.
11am – 11.30am GMT+03:00
Lived Experience Criminology: Embedding Lived Experience Knowledge in Prison Practice and Research (PID064)
Lived Experience Criminology: Embedding Lived Experience Knowledge in Prison Practice and Research (PID064)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This presentation argues that the next quantum leap in prison safety, rehabilitation, and legitimacy will come not from ever‑finer actuarial dashboards but from systematically embedding lived experience expertise into everyday custodial practice. Drawing on the forthcoming Routledge volume "Beyond Autoethnography: Lived‑Experience Criminology," we advance three propositions.
First, lived experience is an operational analytic: when survivors of imprisonment co‑design risk assessments, programme curricula, and post‑release planning tools, they expose blind‑spots invisible to incident logs and KPIs, producing measurable reductions in violence and self‑harm. Second, genuine collaboration requires a new custodial allyship—shared authorship of policy papers, parity pay for peer advisors, and security protocols that acknowledge (rather than penalise) criminal records. Case studies from an English protection unit and a trauma‑responsive Colorado halfway house show how such co‑production elevates staff–resident trust. Third, ethical safeguards are pivotal: flexible timelines, pseudonymity options, and on‑call counselling prevent the re‑exploitation of system‑impacted contributors while satisfying research‑governance and occupational‑health mandates.
We close with a concrete toolkit designed for governors, clinicians, and frontline officers who must deliver humane and therapeutic custody under fiscal constraint and public scrutiny. In this frame, lived‑experience knowledge is not a progressive indulgence; it is a cost‑effective, evidence‑based lever for safer, more legitimate regimes. Operationalising it is therefore both strategically astute and morally imperative.
Dwayne Antojado, Lecturer in Sociology and Criminology, Adelaide University, Australia
Personal Bio
Dwayne Antojado is a Lecturer in Sociology and Criminology at Adelaide University and a Visiting Scholar in the School of Government, Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines. Grounded in his own experience with Australia’s criminal legal system, his scholarship contributes to the emergent field of lived experience criminology by interrogating how lived experience knowledges unsettle orthodox criminological paradigms and foster epistemic justice. His current work examines the methodological, policy, and normative implications of incorporating lived experience expertise into criminal justice research, professional practice, and institutional policy. In parallel, his work offers a critical appraisal of the ways ‘lived experience’ can be appropriated, commodified, or collapsed into discourses within criminology without meaningfully and radically disrupting entrenched hierarchies of expertise. Collectively, his research seeks to reimagine the production of criminological and penological knowledge through the perspectives who have themselves been criminalised.
Shilaneh Sharify, PhD Candidate, University of Melbourne, Australia
Personal Bio
Shillan Shebly is a Kurdish scholar-organiser from Rojhelat (Eastern Kurdistan) and a settler on the lands of the Yalukit-willam Bunurong people of the Kulin Nations in so-called Australia. Shillan’s current PhD research at the University of Melbourne uses her lived experiences to explore how the criminalised standpoint can contribute to abolitionist and anti/decolonial presents and futures. She has been an active organiser in grassroots politics for over a decade, contributing to the achievements of the Bendigo Street and Transform IPCS campaigns among many others. Shillan predominantly publishes in non-traditional formats including documentary, photography, creative non-fiction, digitised community radio (3CR), zines and workshops and she is an active member of the National Network of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls and the Institute of Postcolonial Studies (IPCS).
Youth Lab and Change Lab in Hong Kong: Integrating Psychological Intervention, Throughcare and Rehabilitative Culture (PID037)
Youth Lab and Change Lab in Hong Kong: Integrating Psychological Intervention, Throughcare and Rehabilitative Culture (PID037)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
With a vision to empower justice-involved youth to become pro-social, thriving members of society, clinical psychologists at the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department have established the Youth Lab, a youth-friendly treatment facility within correctional institutions, and the community-based Change Lab which showcases manga drawings depicting the desistance journey. These specially designed warm and secure therapeutic environments facilitate rehabilitation, reintegration and desistance through pioneering psychologically-informed, youth-responsive intervention that structured around the three-stage desistance framework. The first stage focuses on crime abstinence through the P.R.E.P. programme that cultivates pro-social values, resilience, emotion regulation and problem-solving skills, incorporating virtual reality role-play, a digitalised psychological programme and therapeutic games to enhance treatment engagement. The second stage fosters non-offending identities by integrating character strength intervention into therapeutic sports, using narrative therapy for re-authoring desistance narrative, as well as utilising character strength parenting to guide parents to recognise their children’s strengths. The final stage emphasises social reintegration and acceptance, with Desistance Celebration Day uniting family members, community partners and other outsider witness to validate their progress. Recognising correctional staff as key rehabilitation facilitators, initiatives have been introduced to promote a rehabilitative culture. Retreat workshops support staff to manage work stress, strive for self-improvement and share insights into ideal young offender institutions. Staff training on procedural justice and five-minute intervention fosters respect, trust and constructive engagement with youth. Encouraging findings, including lower reoffending rates, enhanced rehabilitative orientation and improved staff satisfaction, highlight the promise of this holistic approach in creating a safe, rehabilitative custodial environment.
Dr. Kit Shan Yvonne Lee, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Hong Kong Correctional Services Department, China
Implementing the Nelson Mandela Rules in Curacao: Auditing for Compliance and Ethical Treatment in Curacao’s Correctional System (PID019)
Implementing the Nelson Mandela Rules in Curacao: Auditing for Compliance and Ethical Treatment in Curacao’s Correctional System (PID019)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
How do you bring international human rights standards to life in a small island prison? In this session, we take you inside the bold transformation underway at Curaçao’s only correctional facility, where the Nelson Mandela Rules aren’t just aspirations—they’re becoming operational reality.
Led by the Quality & Auditing Department at Sentro di Detenshon i Korekshon Kòrsou (SDKK), this initiative uses audits not as checklists, but as catalysts for ethical reform. With a staff of 400 and a capacity of 500 detainees, SDKK operates in a unique social fabric where oversight must be both rigorous and culturally sensitive. This presentation explores how compliance reviews are driving tangible change in areas such as grievance procedures, non-discrimination, disciplinary practices, and staff training. Through real-world case studies, you’ll see how an internal audit function can build trust, enhance transparency, and protect dignity behind prison walls.
Whether you're in prison management, human rights, public administration, or auditing, you’ll gain insight into how structured oversight—grounded in the Nelson Mandela Rules—can transform institutional culture from the inside out. Join us to discover how one Caribbean prison is redefining accountability and ethical treatment through audits with impact.
Martha Jessurun, Head of Quality and Audit, Curacao Prison, Ministry of Justice, Curaçao
Personal Bio
Martha Jessurun is the Head of Quality and Audit at the Sentro di Detenshon i Korekshon Kòrsou (SDKK), the national correctional facility of Curaçao. She holds an Executive Master of Internal Auditing from the Amsterdam Business School and an MBA in International Business from St. Thomas University. Martha is a certified CRMA (Certification in Risk Management Assurance) and Registered Operational Auditor (RO), with extensive experience in internal auditing, strategic advisory, and public sector reform.
With a strong commitment to justice, transparency, and institutional improvement, Martha has led various audit-driven initiatives focused on compliance with international human rights standards, such as the Nelson Mandela Rules and CPT recommendations. Her work includes the development and implementation of reform programs related to detainee rights, staff training, complaints mechanisms, and equality in prison policy.
Martha frequently collaborates with oversight bodies and multidisciplinary teams to align correctional practices with ethical governance, using audits as tools for continuous improvement and organizational accountability.
Richard Overman, Quality and Audit Officer, Curacao Prison, Ministry of Justice, Curaçao
Personal Bio
Richard Overman began his career in public service as a member of the Curaçao militia, where he developed a strong foundation in operational discipline, teamwork, and crisis response. On 15 April 2019, he transitioned to the Sentro di Detenshon i Korekshon Kòrsou (SDKK) as a Quality & Auditing Officer. In this capacity, Mr. Overman has been an integral part of the Quality & Auditing Department, supporting and leading internal audits to ensure compliance with the Nelson Mandela Rules and other international standards. Mr. Overman has shown a sustained commitment to strengthening SDKK’s culture of continuous improvement and human rights compliance. His hands on experience in quality management and audit implementation has led to tangible reforms in detainee care, staff training, and operational safety. As a secondary speaker supporting the presentation on the Nelson Mandela Rules, he will share insights from his audit work and discuss best practices for embedding ethical standards in correctional institutions.
Cultural Support at Acacia Prison - Opening the Gates (PID135)
Cultural Support at Acacia Prison - Opening the Gates (PID135)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Acacia is a place of cultural Immersion, not just for the men in our care but for staff also. We have yarning circles where we cook traditional foods over a fire, we have smoking ceremonies, we teach traditional dance, We have Aboriginal Peer workers. We have Nyoongar language classes, but most importantly we have their Elders onsite who are employed & supported to be Aunties. The Tactical response aunties are Community Leaders who are connected to all the men in our care. They are subject matter experts in Mental health, they are connected to their culture, their communities and most importantly the men in our care. They teach us that true Justice is not just about punishment but about restoration, understanding and compassion. In their presence, they provide the men hope, they provide the staff hope – Hope that we can transform our communities into spaces where everyone feels valued & supported both in and out of prison.
Through workshops, Cultural Ceremonies and community gatherings, the Aunties create environments where healing can flourish. They remind the men they are not alone in their struggles, we are apart of a larger tapestry woven together by shared experiences and a commitment to keep our Culture strong. Acacia is not like any other prison, We foster connection, we are creating a space where Culture is embraced, nurtured, shared and a replication of the community outside the gates.
John Harrison, General Manager, Serco Justice, Australia
Personal Bio
John Harrison has spent nearly 25 years working with incarcerated Indigenous people across Australia. John's history is one of innovation and he has led programs such as the Sierra Program for young adults in South Australia, Cultural Focus Units, and the extraordinary 'Tactical Aunties' program in Western Australia. As the General Manager of the 1600 bed Acacia Prison in Western Australia, John has responded to alarming trends in Indigenous incarceration by working with the community and universities to continually develop innovative approaches to the challenges faced by a pandemic of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder amongst young Indigenous people. For his work with the Nyoongar community in Western Australia, John has been accepted as an Honourary Nyoongar, an accolade which also imposes a cultural obligation on him towards the community. John's presentation will detail the remarkable cultural focus at Acacia Prison and he will also present a truly breathtaking tale of how Acacia's cultural focus efforts have reunited Western Australian Indigenous families with their 'Stolen Children' removed from their families in the 1970's and fostered overseas.
Brooke Dillon, Cultural Adviser, Serco Justice, Australia
Personal Bio
Brooke Dillon is Palawa woman from Tasmania and has grown up with a deep connection to ancient Aboriginal ways passed down through generations. Brooke oversees the cultural program at Acacia which includes significant community liaison, multi-disciplinary alignment of services for Indigenous prisoners and the development of Indigenous specific programs and education. With over 700 indigenous prisoners at Acacia, Brooke tailors routines and programs for a diverse group of men including traditional people, young urban people and an increasing large cohort of prisoners with cognitive disabilities such as Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Brooke works with a wonderful team of staff and prisoner peer supporters who provide services to all prisoners. Brooke will be speaking about Acacia's extraordinary 'Tactical Aunties', the importance of teaching traditional languages and AOD programs built by prisoners for prisoners.
Reconceptualising Prison Safety and Focusing on Workforce Capability – A Cultural Reform Case Study From Victoria, Australia (PID016)
Reconceptualising Prison Safety and Focusing on Workforce Capability – A Cultural Reform Case Study From Victoria, Australia (PID016)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Melissa Westin, Deputy Commissioner of Custodial Operations and Ashlee Briffa, Director of Cultural Reform and Workforce Strategy will present on an ambitious program of cultural reform at Corrections Victoria. At the heart of the reform effort has been working with staff in prisons to modernise the way Corrections Victoria approaches safety, relying on the latest research and data-driven approaches, and emphasising the power of the working alliance between staff and people who live in prison. It has also involved setting a clear primary organisational mission to create a skilled and supported workforce and moving away from outdated notions of correctional practice that often see security and rehabilitation as competing objectives, instead of complementary aims.
The presenters will talk though key initiatives that have been implemented to meet these strategic aims, including a deep dive evidence-led project that delivered an approximately 50% reduction in occupational violence at one of Victoria’s maximum-security prisons. The presenters will also talk through some of the challenges Corrections Victoria has faced in implementing this ambitious program of work, including staff resistance to new approaches like using person centred language to refer to people in prison.
Melissa Westin, Deputy Commissioner, Custodial Operations, Corrections Victoria, Australia
Personal Bio
Melissa is the Deputy Commissioner for Custodial Operations in Corrections Victoria. Corrections Victoria is the public body responsible for operating adult prisons in Victoria, Australia. Mel is responsible for leading operations across all adult prisons. She has more than 25 years’ experience working in the justice sector and has worked across many aspects of the Victorian prison system. Melissa has held the position of General Manager of several prison locations and previously lead the Security & Intelligence Division.
Ashlee Briffa, Director, Cultural Reform and Workforce Strategy, Corrections Victoria, Australia
Personal Bio
Ashlee is the Director of Cultural Reform and Workforce Strategy at Corrections Victoria. Corrections Victoria is the public body responsible for operating adult prisons in Victoria, Australia. The Director, Cultural Reform and Workforce Strategy is Ashlee's first role in corrections, having previously had over 14 years’ experience in public policy and law. In previous roles, Ashlee has led the implementation of large-scale reforms in the justice sector, including reforms relevant to policing, courts and human right protections.
11am – 11.45am GMT+03:00
ICPA Healthcare Network Meeting (PID300)
ICPA Healthcare Network Meeting (PID300)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
The wellbeing of individuals within correctional environments is fundamentally tied to the health of the systems and staff that support them. The ICPA Healthcare Network explores innovative, evidence-informed healthcare initiatives that promote holistic wellbeing across correctional settings. Drawing on international collaboration and diverse practitioner expertise, we will highlight emerging models of care that address the physical, mental, and emotional health needs of both incarcerated individuals and correctional staff.
Key themes include trauma-informed care, peer-led support models, strategies to reduce burnout among healthcare and correctional personnel, and the integration of community-based health services pre- and post-release. Through a systems lens, we will examine how corrections agencies can embed health equity and staff wellbeing into organizational culture, policies, and daily operations. By presenting case studies and cross-jurisdictional insights, this session will offer actionable pathways for fostering resilient systems that prioritize wellbeing—ultimately benefiting correctional institutions and the wider communities they serve.
Ivan Calder, Chief Executive Officer, Health through Walls, United States
Personal Bio
Ivan Calder is the Chief Executive Officer of Health through Walls, a nonprofit organization committed to improving health conditions in correctional facilities, and the President and Founder of Justice Health Matters, a consultancy dedicated to advancing health equity and systemic reform within criminal justice settings. With more than 20 years of experience at the intersection of public health and criminal justice, Ivan is a recognized leader in prison health systems, infectious disease control, and human rights advocacy. Under his leadership, Health through Walls has expanded across multiple countries, implementing evidence-based interventions, capacity-building initiatives, and disease surveillance programs that have significantly improved health outcomes for incarcerated populations.
Through Justice Health Matters Consultancy, Ivan provides strategic guidance to governments, NGOs, and international agencies, helping them address the complex challenges of healthcare delivery in justice systems. His approach centers on sustainable solutions, multisector collaboration, and the integration of public health standards into correctional policy and practice. Ivan is a passionate advocate for health justice, frequently contributing to global forums on access to care, incarceration, and human rights. His career reflects a deep commitment to transforming systems to ensure that marginalized and vulnerable populations receive equitable, dignified care.
11.30am – 12pm GMT+03:00
Voice, Opportunity and Leadership: A Lived Experience Health Service in England's Prisons (PID145)
Voice, Opportunity and Leadership: A Lived Experience Health Service in England's Prisons (PID145)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
The value of lived experience working within the correctional setting is vital to the improved health outcomes of those that are incarcerated. Over the years we have overcome many barriers for people with lived experience of prisons being able to become a member of staff within the prisons. Having ex prisoners working in the prison setting carry keys and be respected as a core member of staff is so empowering for those that belief they will never be able to work with in the setting after being a prisoner. Using this model improves trust, removes stigma, increases engagement by the prisoners. We would say the added bonus is that using lived experience also decreases the risk of staff vacancy's, as its pool of people taht work effectively within the prison setting.
Sean Cox, Director of Prisons, The Hepatitis C Trust, England, United Kingdom
Personal Bio
Sean Cox has 24 years of experience working in criminal justice; most of this time has been spent working in prisons delivering substance misuse services, health care services and the hepatitis C peer programme. Sean leads The Hepatitis C Trust’s criminal justice work, including the High-Intensity Test and Treat mass testing programme and the prison peer volunteer programme. His teamwork in every English prison, with probation services, Police custody suits, and with criminal justice partners in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Sean also oversees the Trust’s training department.
Rescaling Youth Detention Through Community Engagement (PID039)
Rescaling Youth Detention Through Community Engagement (PID039)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Youth justice systems worldwide are facing a turning point. While some policies and general public opinions trend toward harsher punishments, research and practice highlight the value of long-term, differentiated and personalised approaches. This presentation, grounded in expert sessions, presentations, and feedback with direct insights from the Austrian Youth Custody Conference and the 5th World Congress on Justice with Children, explores the potential of small-scale, differentiated, and community-integrated detention houses as alternatives to traditional youth prisons. Drawing on stakeholder input from multiple countries and the Austrian context, we examine what works in youth custody and how positive youth development, criminological research, and staff experience can be harmonised to overcome systemic barriers. The presentation presents case discussions, youth perspectives, challenges, and practical examples to encourage strategic thinking around policy reform and national, regional, and local implementation. Participants will explore how community involvement, mentorship, and differentiated care contribute to integration, not isolation. Creating greater awareness of challenges and solutions for humane and effective youth justice.
Eva Corn, Social Innovation Coordinator, Richtungswechsel, Austria
Personal Bio
Eva Corn is a leading member of the NGO Richtungswechsel, where she is committed to making a meaningful contribution to the integration of incarcerated individuals by contributing to the education of staff working in prisons, supporting positive developments in prison culture, and advocating for the more holistically driven environments, where staff and incarcerated individuals can thrive. Since joining Richtungswechsel, Eva has become an integral part in the daily operations of the organisation. She is in charge of the Communication and Public Events where she has successfully reached over 12.000 people.
Additionally, Eva is integral to Richtungswechsel's advocacy work as a member of the RESCALED movement advocating for small-scale, community-integrated detention houses. Due to this, Eva has organised the first Austrian Youth Custody Conference in Salzburg (22 May 2025), which brings together over 120 practitioners, policy makers, and researchers from over 13 different countries to explore youth detention and the RESCALED movement. Through this work, she actively contributes to reshaping prison cultures and promoting innovation in detention systems — one meaningful connection at a time.
Rehabilitation to Reintegration Journey with the Mandela Rules of Persons Deprived of Liberty in the Philippines (PID045)
Rehabilitation to Reintegration Journey with the Mandela Rules of Persons Deprived of Liberty in the Philippines (PID045)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Formulation of strategic framework in maximizing the government resources to have an impact and efficient application in the rehabilitation and reintegration of PDLs. The complete adoption of the Mandela Rules of this framework, and the policies and practices of the Bureau of Corrections and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology are analyzed in this study.
The policies, programs, and projects regarding the rehabilitation and reintegration of PDLs that are mentioned in this study relate to the following specific standards, which are aligned with the Mandela Rules: (1) human rights and dignity; (2) rehabilitative prison environments; (3) technology and innovation; and (4) social reintegration.
- The components of social development such as human empowerment; accountability and transparency must be applied witihin the walls of the detention facilities.
- Empower the detainees, the stakeholders, and their caretakers thru specialized trainings and seminars.
- Accountability of the duty bearers in case of corruptiom and neglect of responsibilities.
- Transparency of the programs and project being implemented to ensure human rights protection among the all actors in the penal system.
- Most importantly is provision of effective legal counselling and assistance coupled with psychological aid to the persons deprived of liberty.
Dr. Persida Acosta, Chief Public Attorney, Public Attorney's Office, Philippines
Personal Bio
DR. PERSIDA V. RUEDA-ACOSTA, DSD., Chief Public Attorney of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), Philippines (since February 23, 2001), 4th Placer, 1989 Philippine Bar Examinations, is a Doctor of Social Development graduate (GWA 1.20) from the University of the Philippines. Dr. Acosta completed the Senior Executive Fellows Program, Senior Executive Program on National and International Security;and Public Financial Management at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), U.S.A. She also acquired Professional Certificate in International Management and Leadership (International Centre for Parliamentary Studies, London), and Salzburg Global Seminar Fellowships (2023; 2009). Her expertise in legal aid has been recognized by international institutions, inter alia, UNICEF; UNODC; UNDP; USAID; IIJ-Malta, LAF-Taiwan; Nippon Foundation; Japan Legal Support Center; Legal Aid South Africa; China University of Political Science and Law; Legal Aid ACT (Australia); and School of Law, Bennett University (India) through their invitations to her as expert/resource person, and partner in advocacies.
Dr. Acosta, an active member of the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA), served as Speaker during its Annual General Meetings and Conferences in Thailand (2007); Czech Republic (2008); Singapore (2011); Mexico City (2012); Melbourne, Australia (2015); Argentina (2019), and Singapore (2024); 1st Corrections Technology Conference (Adelaide, Australia, 2023); and the recent two Thailand ICPA Conferences. As a passionate prison reforms advocate, she was granted a 2013 scholarship entitled as New Approaches to Prison Management and Rehabilitation in Israel. Such passion is reflected in her Dissertation, “Examining Deaths Behind Bars: Towards Penal System Policy Reforms in the Context of Human Rights” (June 2015).
Developing a Culturally-Based Social and Emotional Wellbeing Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in Prison (PID044)
Developing a Culturally-Based Social and Emotional Wellbeing Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in Prison (PID044)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Indigenous Australians are disproportionately represented in the prison system, accounting for 36% of people in prison while comprising only 3.8% of the general population. This overrepresentation is largely attributed to intergenerational trauma and enduring socio-economic disadvantages stemming from colonisation. In Australia over two-thirds of people entering prison, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, have some form of substance use disorder and/or mental health issues. While there are behavioural programs in Australian prisons, few of these programs are culturally tailored for Indigenous Australians.
In 2024 an Indigenous lead research project commenced with the goal of developing a new culturally-based social and emotional wellbeing program for Indigenous Australians in prison. The development process included a global scoping review for literature on prison-based programs for Indigenous peoples, in-depth interviews with 27 Indigenous health professionals and four focus groups. A program curriculum was developed which comprises 11 standalone lessons. At the time of abstract submission, we were investigating the use of a co-facilitation model, involving both staff and inmates. In this presentation we will report on our work to date.
Doctor Michael Doyle, Head of First Nations Health, Edith Collins Centre, University of Sydney, Australia
Personal Bio
Associate Professor Michael Doyle is an Aboriginal Australin man from the Bardi nations and is the lead for Indigenous health research in the Discipline of Addiction Medicine at the University of Sydney. Michael has worked in Aboriginal health since 1998, first in health service delivery roles and then he moved into research in 2008. Michael is a mixed-methods researcher, and his PhD (completed in 2018) was the first PhD focused on prison-based rehabilitation programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
Michael is a member of the Australian Government’s Institute of Health and Welfare’s Prisoner Health Data Committee which provides oversight of national prisoner health data. Michael is an active member of the Aboriginal community and has served on Aboriginal community controlled organisation boards. He is the co-chair of the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council’s Human Research Ethics Committee (AH&MRC HREC), which reviews all health research ethics as related to Aboriginal people in New South Wales.
Michael’s research outputs since 2018 include publishing 41 peer reviewed papers including nine as first author. He is an Associate Editor for one of the world leading journals in AoD, Addiction, and a Deputy Editor for the Drug and Alcohol Review which is Australia’s leading journal in the field. In his day-to-day work as an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney, Michael leads a team of five staff and has three postgraduate students.
Luke Grant, Deputy Commissioner, Corrective Services New South Wales, Australia
Personal Bio
Luke Grant joined Corrective Services NSW in January 1991 progressing through senior operational roles in prisoner education, programs, and classification. He was appointed to the role of Assistant Commissioner Inmate Management in 2000, with primary responsibility for prisoner rehabilitation in NSW, became Assistant Commissioner Corrections Strategy and Policy in December 2012 and Deputy Commissioner in 2020.
In his current role Luke has oversight of all correctional policy and strategy for NSW, rehabilitation, correctional research, staff development, culture and wellbeing, media, digital technology and prisoner classification. Luke has provided expert testimony before numerous parliamentary inquiries at the state and federal levels and represented Australia in international forums as an expert on countering violent extremism and the human rights of prisoners. He championed partnerships and research collaborations between the corrections industry and universities for the last two decades and has co-authored more than 45 articles in peer review journals.
Living the Dream: Creating a culture of growth and wellbeing, for Criminal Justice Practitioners to create safe and effective environments for all (PID018)
Living the Dream: Creating a culture of growth and wellbeing, for Criminal Justice Practitioners to create safe and effective environments for all (PID018)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This talk explores how we can 'live the dream' of rehabilitative justice by creating correctional cultures grounded in growth, wellbeing, and relational practice. Drawing on over a decade of cultural transformation work within the justice system, including the pioneering Growth Project, this session introduces a dynamic vision for criminal justice that places people and relationships at the heart of change.
The Growth philosophy, developed through research in Norwegian prisons and applied effectively in other countries internationally, emphasises co-production, desistance-focused environments and staff empowerment. Participants will learn how a whole systems approach is used using an international learning course, cultural change initiatives and tailored Growth Supervision for staff contribute to safer, more humane and effective correctional spaces. These interventions support both staff and people in prison in developing resilience, identity capital and purpose, igniting long-term, sustainable change. This session is for anyone ready to move beyond compliance and control, and toward environments where people can truly grow, together.
Dr. Sarah Lewis, Director, Penal Reform Solutions, England, United Kingdom
Personal Bio
Dr Sarah Lewis is the Director of Penal Reform Solutions (PRS) and Grow Transform Belong CIC. PRS operates internationally to foster cultural change across the Criminal Justice System, while Grow Transform Belong focuses on preventative work in schools and community reform through the Justice 2.0 campaign. Both organisations deliver training, coaching, and research to develop an effective and compassionate Criminal Justice System.
Dr Lewis began her career in psychological interventions in Probation in 2004 before joining the University of Portsmouth, where she trained Probation Officers and taught Criminology and Criminal Psychology. She champions transformative practice rooted in relationships, humanity, and connection. As co-founder of the Growth Alliance and the Growth App, Dr Lewis drives global systems change in corrections, emphasising compassion, collaboration, and lived experience. She is extensively published and the author of Therapeutic Correctional Relationships, a practitioner’s guide to building and repairing relational connections in correctional practice.
Dr Lewis provides strategic consultancy and training to leaders across the Middle East and Asia, prioritising her Growth philosophy, which focuses on investing in people to create safe and effective environments. She has recently co-created accredited online learning for busy professionals working with people who offend, aimed at enhancing effective practice and promoting staff well-being. Her work continues to shape a more humane and impactful approach to criminal justice.
11.45am – 12.30pm GMT+03:00
Modernizing Prison Security – Scalable Retrofit Solutions for Existing Facilities (PID306)
Modernizing Prison Security – Scalable Retrofit Solutions for Existing Facilities (PID306)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Across the globe, correctional facilities are facing growing pressure to modernize outdated security infrastructure – often within tight budgetary and architectural constraints. In this session, we will demonstrate how high-security locking sys tems can be integrated into existing doors without structural modifications, using retrofit solutions that are both efficient, sustainable and future-proof.
Drawing from international use cases, including successful implementations in Eu rope, Asia, and Africa, we will highlight how legacy mechanical locks from third-par ty suppliers were replaced within minutes using our modular systems. The presen tation will also cover technical innovations such as 5-second recoding to restore the safety of the facility in the shortest possible time (e.g. in critical cases of a missing key) and scalable master key hierarchies. Presented by STUV Prison Solutions, a global leader in high-security locking tech nology, this session aims to provide planners, facility operators, and security pro fessionals with practical strategies to enhance institutional and workspace safety — without the cost and complexity of a full-scale rebuild.
Phillip Schickenberg, Sales Director, Steinbach & Vollmann GmbH, Germany
Personal Bio
Phillip Schickenberg is Director Sales at Steinbach & Vollmann GmbH, a company based in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. With over a decade of experience in locking solutions for various industries, he is an expert in the various requirements and challenges in the field of access control. Steinbach & Vollmann GmbH, commonly known as STUV, an international company specializing in the provision of high security locking systems and solutions for critical infrastructure such as telecommunication, power, or water distribution. The company prides itself on its innovative approach and commitment to quality. Around 200 employees are dedicated to meeting the needs of customers worldwide.
ICPA Technology Solutions Network Session: Risk, Reward, and Inertia: Why AI Won’t Transform Corrections (Yet) (PID321)
ICPA Technology Solutions Network Session: Risk, Reward, and Inertia: Why AI Won’t Transform Corrections (Yet) (PID321)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
As artificial intelligence gains traction across the public sector, its adoption in corrections remains limited and fragmented. This panel explores whether the sector is truly prepared for meaningful AI integration, or if institutional inertia, risk aversion, and limited strategic capacity are slowing progress. Panelists will examine the complex interplay of technology, trust, and leadership in a high-stakes environment. The session will challenge participants to consider what a realistic and responsible AI strategy in corrections could look like—and what conditions must change for it to take root.
Donna Creavan, Director Corporate Services, Irish Prison Service, Ireland
Personal Bio
Donna Creaven is the Director of ICT, Governance, and Corporate Services at the Irish Prison Service. In this role, she oversees key areas such as ICT, corporate governance, and organizational strategy. Donna's diverse expertise spans law, information technology, project and risk management, public administration, and corporate governance. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the National University of Ireland, Galway, and a Master’s in Management & Corporate Governance from the University of Ulster. Additionally, she has completed a Professional Postgraduate Certificate in Data Protection Law from the University of Dublin and a Professional Diploma in Strategy & Innovation from the Institute of Irish Management, University College Cork.
Donna previously served as a board Director for Pobal, an organization that supports the Irish Government in managing funding and services related to social inclusion, equality, inclusive employment, and enterprise. She serves as a Council Member for the Association for Criminal Justice Research & Development and is a member of the European Organisation of Prison and Correctional Services ICT Expert Group. Donna has previously contributed to the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute's Expert Working Group, where she participated in research focused on technologies for prisoner rehabilitation.
Simon Bonk, Chief Research Officer, Telio, Canada
Personal Bio
Simon Bonk is the former CIO for the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). A role he held for more than six years and retired from that position after almost 30 years in the Canadian Public Service.
On his retirement, he joined Telio as their Chief Research Officer and Director New Business Development, where he creates and implements strategic approaches in new markets, and builds relationships with jurisdictions, researchers, and other stakeholders to advance thought leadership in the correctional space. Simon is currently a Corporate Board Member of the Corrections Technology Association and previously served as Secretary. In addition, he is the Chair of the IT Network for the International Corrections and Prison Association as well as member of the Technology Committee at the American Probation and Parole Association. He serves as an Advisory Board Member to the SAW Project which is dedicated to creating a worldwide data-sharing platform designed to bring positive change to the global supervision industry through international collaboration.
He was recently appointed by the Minister of Public Safety to the CORCAN Advisory Board at the Correctional Service of Canada. CORCAN is a key rehabilitation program that focuses on providing employment and employability skills training to offenders, helping them reintegrate successfully into society. Simon is a member of the Integrated Justice Information Systems (IJIS) Institute’s Corrections Advisory Committee which provides leadership on innovative standards and technologies in corrections.
12pm – 12.30pm GMT+03:00
A Data-Driven, Co-Designed Model of Care to Improve Health Outcomes After Release From Prison: The HARP Trial (PID208)
A Data-Driven, Co-Designed Model of Care to Improve Health Outcomes After Release From Prison: The HARP Trial (PID208)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
In Australia, the Justice Health Group has established the world’s largest prospective cohort study of people released from prisons: the Health After Release from Prison (HARP-4) cohort study. The HARP-4 study combines rich survey data, prison medical records, and linked administrative health and justice data from 4,232 women and men release from prisons. Building on these rich epidemiological data, we are now embarking on a national consultation process to co-design a model of care to improve the health of people released from prisons. Our model of care will be evidence-driven, culturally safe, informed by lived experience, and scalable. It will be evaluated in a randomised controlled trial with 1000 participants. We will use statewide and national linked administrative data to quantify the impact of our intervention on health outcomes, health service use, reincarceration, and whole-of-government costs.
In this presentation I will provide an overview of the HARP-4 study and key findings to date. I will describe the HARP trial, including our proposed model of care, our approach to co-design, and discuss why RCTs in this setting are both challenging and essential. The final 10 minutes of the sessions will be devoted to audience discussion, focussing on the overlapping imperatives of health and criminal justice agencies, and the importance of rigorous epidemiological and evaluation research to inform throughcare policy and practice.
Professor Stuart Kinner, Head, Justice Health Group, Curtin University & Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Australia
Personal Bio
Stuart Kinner is Founding Head of the Justice Health Group spanning Curtin University and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. He is an Honorary Professor at The University of Melbourne, and a Technical Advisor to the WHO Health in Prisons Programme. In 2019 he was a Peter Wall International Visiting Scholar and visiting Professor at The University of British Columbia. Stuart has produced >350 publications and attracted >$37 million in research funding. According to ExpertScape, he is the #1 expert globally on the topic of ‘prisoners’. Stuart Chairs Australia’s National Youth Justice Health Advisory Group, and serves on the WHO Health in Prisons Programme Steering Group, the Worldwide Prison Health Research and Engagement Network (WEPHREN) Steering Committee, and Australia’s National Prisoner Health Information Committee. His work is highly cited and used in policy development in Australia and internationally.
Wendy Hoey PSM, Chief Executive, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Australia
Personal Bio
Wendy Hoey PSM was appointed the Chief Executive of Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network (Justice Health NSW) in September 2022. Prior to this, she was the Executive Director of Clinical Operations having taken up the role in 2019.
Wendy is the Co-Chair of the International Corrections and Prisons Association Healthcare Network, as well as a board member of Health Through Walls Inc. In 2024, Wendy was awarded a Public Service Medal for her outstanding public service and dedication to the delivery of health care to vulnerable populations in correctional and secure settings. Wendy's other previous appointments include Executive Director for Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service and Nursing Director for the Central Queensland Mental Health Service.
Wendy is the Co-Chair of the International Corrections and Prisons Association Healthcare Network, as well as a board member of Health Through Walls Inc. In 2024, Wendy was awarded a Public Service Medal for her outstanding public service and dedication to the delivery of health care to vulnerable populations in correctional and secure settings. Wendy's other previous appointments include Executive Director for Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service and Nursing Director for the Central Queensland Mental Health Service.
Wendy is a registered Nurse with a Clinical Background in Mental Health Nursing and over 20 years’ experience as a senior leader in mental health, hospital executive and health in secure settings. Wendy is passionate about providing equivalent care in secure settings and ensuring that all care including mental health care is provided in the least restrictive environment and way. Justice Health NSW provides health and mental health services to adults and young people in the criminal justice and forensic mental health systems in NSW.
Andrew Wiley, Director, South Australian Prison Health Service, Australia
Personal Bio
Andrew Wiley is a Registered Nurse and the Director of SA Prison Health Service, which provides primary healthcare to people in custody in South Australia. Andrew has worked in the justice health area in a variety of roles for 15 years in SA and Victoria and participates in a number of national and international groups focused in improving the healthcare for people in custody.Reimagining Juvenile Justice: Upholding the Nelson Mandela Rules for Effective Rehabilitation (PID192)
Reimagining Juvenile Justice: Upholding the Nelson Mandela Rules for Effective Rehabilitation (PID192)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Implementing the Nelson Mandela Rules in Juvenile Correctional Facilities: Challenges and Opportunities. Let us talk about how we can make a real difference in the lives of young people in correctional facilities. This presentation examines the application of the Nelson Mandela Rules within juvenile correctional facilities, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities for promoting humane treatment and rehabilitation. It draws on case studies from countries like Norway and South Africa to illustrate effective strategies that enhance the dignity and rights of young offenders and what we can learn from their approaches.
From evidence-based programs that help young offenders turn their lives around, to the role technology can play in supporting their reintegration into society, we will dive into the challenges and successes that can inform our own policy reforms. The goal is simple: to prioritize rehabilitation, dignity and social reintegration for young people who need a second chance.
Sandra Chisora, Legal Officer, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, Zimbabwe
Personal Bio
With a background in law and a heart for justice, I have devoted my career to advocating for the rights and rehabilitation of juvenile offenders. I am passionate about promoting humane treatment and rehabilitation in correctional facilities. As a Legal Officer for the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, I have a deep understanding of the complexities of the juvenile justice system, and working with juvenile offenders has provided me with invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities for improving correctional practices, as well as the impact of humane treatment and evidence-based approaches on rehabilitation and reintegration in practice.
With a Master's degree in Child Law and currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Conflict Prevention and Early Warning Mechanisms, I am developing a nuanced understanding of the root causes of conflict and strategies for prevention and mitigation and I am committed to applying this knowledge to improve outcomes for young people in conflict with the law. I am excited to learn from the insights of others at the ICPA conference in the pursuit of more effective and compassionate correctional practices as well as to collaborate with fellow professionals in shaping a more humane and effective approach to correctional care that prioritizes rehabilitation, dignity and human rights.
Isaac Sibiya, Principal Correctional Officer, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service, Zimbabwe
Personal Bio
Institutional administration. He is driven by a strong passion to propel the organisation forward through innovative, evidence-based practices. Isaac believes in using research to inform policy reforms and operational improvements. His work focuses on developing frameworks that enhance rehabilitation, staff development, and community reintegration. He collaborates with stakeholders locally and regionally to share correctional best practices. Isaac is respected for his integrity, analytical skills, and ability to turn research into action. He has influenced policies that promote humane custody and effective offender management. Outside work, he advocates for staff wellness and professional growth. Isaac’s vision is to help build a correctional service that secures and empowers inmates for successful reintegration.
Implementing the Nelson Mandela Rules in Challenging Environments: Lessons from Zamboanga City Jail's Innovative Reform Model (PID026)
Implementing the Nelson Mandela Rules in Challenging Environments: Lessons from Zamboanga City Jail's Innovative Reform Model (PID026)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
The Zamboanga City Jail Male Dormitory (ZCJMD) in the Philippines presents a compelling case study of correctional reform aligned with the Nelson Mandela Rules, offering valuable insights for prisons worldwide. This culturally-diverse facility, operating in a resource-constrained environment and at the epicenter of terrorism-related cases in the southern Philippines, has implemented innovative, cost-effective strategies that respect prisoners' dignity, promote rehabilitation, and strengthen community reintegration. Among the innovative reforms include the implementation of the Justice Bilis Zamboanga Project, launched in 2023 which tackles systemic inefficiencies through digitalization and enhanced stakeholder communication. ZCJMD's comprehensive approach includes establishing the BJMP's first Islamic school ensuring access to essential religious instruction. The Connecting Families Project and e-Dalaw facilities have increased family contacts. By prioritizing transparency, rehabilitation, and community engagement, ZCJMD has achieved significant improvements in PDL well-being and operational efficiency.
Drawing from the broader experiences of jail facilities across the Philippines, like the ZCJMD, this presentation will further delve into the BJMP’s multi-faceted approach to implementing the Nelson Mandela Rules while strengthening systems to prevent and counter violent extremism through the BJMP Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Center. The agency has developed a robust framework to prevent and counter violent extremism (P/CVE) within its 448 jail facilities, addressing this global challenge in correctional settings. Aligned with the Philippine National Action Plan on P/CVE, the BJMP established the pioneering P/CVE Center, a centralized hub for intelligence, program development and coordination, and collaboration with partners like the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). This session will present the innovative assessment and classification system for prisoners with terrorism-related cases, culturally sensitive training through the "Islam Handbook in Places of Detention: A Practical Guide for Custodial Officers in the Philippines", disengagement and deradicalization programs, and inter-agency partnerships to enhance reintegration efforts.
This complementation of efforts in the national and ZCJMD ensures that jail programs are not only responsive to immediate facility needs but also strategically positioned to enhance public safety and contribute meaningfully to national security objectives. Join us to learn how BJMP’s holistic approach contributes to a safer, more just society.
Xavier Solda, Deputy Director, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippines
Marie Louise E. Engracial, Deputy Chief, Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Center Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippines
Personal Bio
Ms. Marie Louise E. Engracial holds the position of Intelligence Officer 5 and currently the Deputy Chief for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Counterterrorism Center of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in the Philippines where she leads the development and implementation of peacebuilding, P/CVE and counterterrorism programs to transform the drivers of radicalization and vulnerabilities of affected sectors, like jails and prisons. She represents the BJMP in various national and international consultations and serves as alternate representative to the Philippine National Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PDL with terrorism related cases and Violent Extremist Offenders Cluster). Prior to this position, she served as Human Resource Management Officer (HRMO) of the agency and Researcher/Statistician. During her stint as HRMO, she led the implementation of the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM) in the agency which aimed to improve human resource systems, competencies and practices into a level of excellence at par with global standards.
Rafael Barreto Souza, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Philippines
Personal Bio
Rafael Barreto Souza is a Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer based at UNODC in Manila, Philippines, where he focuses on prison reform. He has previously worked at UNDP Brazil on judicial reform and was a federal prison inspector with the Brazilian National Preventive Mechanism against Torture (NMP). His experience also includes the International Bar Association, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and civil society organizations. Rafael is part of the Network of Experts at the Omega Research Foundation, supporting initiatives related to the use of force and weapons standards. He also contributed to the drafting of the Méndez Principles for investigative interviewing. Rafael has taught Law at several universities in Brazil. He holds two master's degrees: one in Development Studies from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland, and another in Constitutional Law from the Federal University of Ceará, Brazil.
The Ubuntu Strategic Framework: Enhancing Outcomes for Staff and Justice-Involved Individuals of African Heritage in South Australia (PID202)
The Ubuntu Strategic Framework: Enhancing Outcomes for Staff and Justice-Involved Individuals of African Heritage in South Australia (PID202)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
The Ubuntu Strategic Framework was initiated through a series of discussions between the South Australian Department for Correctional Services (DCS) Executive and employees of African heritage, culminating in the launch of the Ubuntu Strategic Framework in May 2025. The Framework and its Action Plan are developed based on a comprehensive report that integrates relevant research, stakeholder consultations, and a staff survey focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The key priority areas identified for implementation include:
• Rehabilitation and Reintegration: Ensuring that programs and services are culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and tailored to meet the needs of justice-involved individuals of African heritage.
• Recruitment and Retention: Positioning DCS as an employer of choice for people of African heritage by fostering inclusive hiring and retention practices.
• Partnerships: Centring engagement with all relevant internal and external stakeholders within the Ubuntu Strategic Framework and Action Plan to strengthen collaboration and community involvement.
This presentation will demonstrate how pragmatic correctional leadership can strengthen evidence-based practices to deliver culturally safe, responsive, and effective services, ultimately enhancing outcomes for both staff and justice-involved individuals of African heritage.
Dr. Yilma Woldgabreal, Principal Advisor, African Australian Services, Department for Correctional Services, Australia
Personal Bio
Dr. Yilma Woldgabreal serves as the Principal Advisor for African Australian Services at the Department for Correctional Services. With over 24 years of experience spanning community correctional and custodial settings, he has made significant contributions to the field. In 2024, Yilma was honoured with the Australian Corrections Medal in recognition of his distinguished service. Yilma is a registered psychologist, an adjunct senior lecturer at Flinders University in South Australia, and an Honorary Fellow at Deakin University in Victoria. His research interests include forensic psychology risk assessment, the challenges faced by ethnic minorities within the criminal justice system, and strengths-based rehabilitation approaches. He is particularly focused on positive psychology interventions with individuals who have committed offences.
David Brown, Chief Executive of Department, Correctional Services in South Australia, Australia
Personal Bio
David Brown graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Arts, double major in Government in 1992. In January 1993 he joined the Queensland Corrective Services Commission as a Custodial Correctional Officer. Mr Brown has enjoyed a wide and varied career in corrections with experience across three jurisdictions. He has worked in both the private and public sector in a range of senior management roles.
In summary, his experience includes:
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Chief Executive, DCS, South Australia
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Executive Director Custodial Services, DCS, South Australia
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Director, Detention Services for GSL (Australia) Pty Ltd
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General Manager, Maryborough Correctional Centre, DCS, Queensland
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Assistant General Manager, Acacia Prison, Perth for AIMS Corporation4
His academic qualifications include:
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Bachelor of Arts, double major in Government and a major in Australian History, University of Queensland, 1992; and
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Master of Public Administration, University of Queensland, 2001.
Appointed as Chief Executive of the Department for Correctional Services in South Australia in September 2012, he has overseen a critical period of growth and reform across the Department. He has played a key role in strengthening security and emergency management standards across the system; placing a renewed focus on offender rehabilitation, education and vocation training; and building community partnerships to improve reintegration of offender back into society once they leave prison. Mr Brown is passionate about creating an integrated approach to offender management that involves meaningful activity combined with targeted rehabilitation. The South Australian Department for Correctional Services is pursuing the ambitious goal of reducing re-offending by 20% by 2026. David Brown is focused on implementing strategies that drive down the rate of re-offending including increased investment in rehabilitation programs, strengthening alternatives to custody such as Home Detention and building better prison services. Leadership development and succession planning has been a key focus during his time in South Australia and he believes the Department for Correctional Services is well positioned with an experienced Executive and Senior Management group.
Wellbeing for Staff – Workplace Safety and Resilience, A Matter of Trust (PID206)
Wellbeing for Staff – Workplace Safety and Resilience, A Matter of Trust (PID206)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
The pursuit of staff wellbeing is fundamentally dependent on workplace safety and resilience, which are closely linked to the presence of trust. This paper examines how trust acts as the essential foundation for cultivating a work environment where staff not only feel secure but are also able to effectively manage challenges. It explores strategies for building trust through transparent communication, active listening, and accessible leadership—all crucial for reinforcing workplace safety.
Additionally, the paper investigates how delegation, empowerment, recognition, and consistent organizational behavior contribute to enhancing staff resilience. By fostering collaborative opportunities and encouraging professional development, correctional service units can bolster both individual and collective resilience. At the heart of these strategies is the creation of a psychologically safe workplace, where employees can freely express and innovate without fear of reprisal. Trust is also integral to achieving effective dynamic security, serving as the central element that enables the implementation of both security and resilience in the workplace. As a result, staff wellbeing is both maintained and prioritized.
Ole Stageberg, Senior Adviser, International Coordinator, University College of Norwegian Correctional Service (KRUS), Norway
Personal Bio
Ole Stageberg holds a Master’s degree in Security and Risk Management and has completed higher education in pedagogy. An expert in Dynamic Security, he has been coordinating and participating as an expert in project activities related to the EEA and Norway Grants since 2018, partnering with six Eastern European countries and working closely with other international cooperation partners. For 21 years, Ole has served as a teacher and adviser at the University College of the Norwegian Correctional Service (KRUS), focusing on the initial training of prison officers in security, crisis, and risk-related topics. He also teaches security, crisis management, and risk management to prison staff and management. His background includes 19 years of experience as a prison officer and senior officer in Norwegian prisons.
1.30pm – 2pm GMT+03:00
Discipline, Hierarchy, and Obedience: The Impact of Organizational Culture on Prison Staff (PID131)
Discipline, Hierarchy, and Obedience: The Impact of Organizational Culture on Prison Staff (PID131)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This session explores how organizational structure, training, and institutional culture shape the identity of prison staff in Chile and influence their attitudes toward social reintegration. Drawing on a survey of over 1,300 prison officers and interviews with staff and training academy professionals, the research highlights how a militarized institutional doctrine prioritizes security over rehabilitation, deeply influencing staff roles and workplace dynamics.
The findings reveal a strong culture of discipline and obedience that, while fostering loyalty, also generates tensions between tradition and the need for reform. This culture, along with working conditions and identity formation processes, has serious implications for staff mental health—issues often stigmatized and treated as incompatible with institutional values.
The study proposes a set of organizational recommendations aimed at improving working conditions, training, and institutional culture. Central to these is the need to support prison staff mental health through structural changes that promote a healthier, more inclusive, and reform-oriented work environment.
Victoria Osorio,Researcher, Justice and Society Center, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Chile
Personal Bio
Victoria Osorio is a sociologist from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (UC), where she is also currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Policy. She holds a diploma in Gender Theories, Development, and Public Policies from the University of Chile, and is a researcher at the Justice and Society Center. Her professional work has centered on issues related to justice, criminology, the prison system, and interventions with incarcerated populations, particularly women in prison. She has participated in a study on the life trajectories of women imprisoned for drug-related offenses, and is currently preparing an academic article on the experiences of incarcerated mothers and their children in a maternal-child prison unit in Chile. Additionally, her research has focused on prison staff, including a study on training, organizational climate, and working conditions within the penitentiary system. She is currently beginning a new study on corruption and organized crime in prisons, with a specific focus on the role of prison staff in Chile.
Pablo Carvacho, Director of Research and Development, Justice and Society Center, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Chile
Personal Bio
Pablo is a lawyer from the University of Chile, holds a Master’s degree in Sociology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, a Master of the Science of Law from Stanford University, and is currently a PhD candidate in Law at the University of Edinburgh. He has extensive experience in security, justice, and drug policy. He currently serves as the Director of Research and Development at the Center for Justice and Society, and is a professor at the Institute of Sociology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. He is an international consultant for various organizations, including the IDB, OAS, UNICEF, and IDLO.
Change in the Correctional Field: Evidence-Based Strategies That Include Science Translation (PID140)
Change in the Correctional Field: Evidence-Based Strategies That Include Science Translation (PID140)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
What role should practitioners have in the translation of science to operational and clinical practice? Typically the translation process is a "guessing game" as to what the research really means. But there are evidence-based strategies that can be used to remove the guessing and focus on the findings such as learning collaboratives, communities of practice, specialized infographs, quality improvement processes, data driven decision making, relationships--each has a strategy to co-produce the scientific findings. This talk will outline each change process and how co-production is a vital component. Examples will include evidence-informed approaches to advance well-being as an outcome, safety in custody, and evidence-informed approaches for community sanctions. Further, it will detail clearly the roles of professionals/practitioners in this change processes to advance science translation. The goal of this talk is to empower the field to work on translation in a manner that it affects operational practice regarding well-being, safety, and evidence-informed practices in community sanctions.
Faye Taxman PhD, Professor, George Mason University, United States
Personal Bio
Faye S. Taxman, Ph.D., is a University Professor at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. She is a health service criminologist. She is recognized for her work in the development of seamless systems-of-care models that link the criminal justice system with other health care and other service delivery systems and reengineering probation and parole supervision services. She has conducted experiments to examine different processes to improve treatment access and retention, to assess new models of probation supervision consistent with RNR frameworks, and to test new interventions. She developed the translational RNR Simulation Tool (www.gmuace.org/tools) to assist agencies in advancing practice. Dr. Taxman has published more than 220 articles. She is the current Principal Investigator for the National Institute on Drug Abuse‘s Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN). The American Society of Criminology's Division of Sentencing and Corrections has recognized her as Distinguished Scholar twice as well as the Rita Warren and Ted Palmer Differential Intervention Treatment award. She received the Joan McCord Award in 2017 from the Division of Experimental Criminology. In 2018, she was appointed a Fellow of the American Society of Criminology. In 2019, she received the lifetime achievement award from the American Society of Criminology's Division of Sentencing and Corrections. In 2023, she won the August Vollmer Award from ASC. The Society for Implementation Research Collaboration (SIRC) in 2022 identified Dr. Taxman and her team for their work on collaborative and engaged research with the Mission Award.
Re-entering Citizens’ Perceptions and Utilization of the Process, Services, and Provisions of a Multi-Agency Re-entry Court for Family Reunification (PID198)
Re-entering Citizens’ Perceptions and Utilization of the Process, Services, and Provisions of a Multi-Agency Re-entry Court for Family Reunification (PID198)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
The purpose of this presentation is to discuss an academic, qualitative research study that informs on the availability, reception, and effectiveness of re-entry and family reunification services offered by a specialized federal re-entry court, in partnership with community-based organizations, to recently released incarcerated individuals. Interviews conducted with the past and present re-entering population directly served by the CARE (Court-Assisted Re-entry) Court gauges their responsiveness to available services provided by CARE Court and community partners. Their perceptions and receptions to available services can indicate the likelihood of successful re-entry and how to implement programs that better suit the needs of those they are intended for. Results and policy implications will be discussed.
Christina Bellasalma, PhD Candidate and Adjunct Instructor, Florida International University, United States
Personal Bio
Based in Miami, FL, Christina Bellasalma is currently an adjunct instructor and PhD candidate in International Crime and Justice at Florida International University. Her research interests include reentry, community corrections, voluntary community-based organizations in the criminal justice sector, and juvenile justice. She also works for the non-profit organization, Silent Victims of Crime, as a special programs coordinator serving children whose parents are incarcerated, as well as assisting recently released incarcerated people with reentry and reintegration back into society. Christina earned a B.A. in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Law at the University of California, Irvine. While working on her Master of Science in Criminology with a focus in Criminal Law at the University of Miami, she began an internship with the Federal Bureau of Investigations while simultaneously working as a mentor and intake coordinator for a nonprofit that provides wraparound services for at-risk young men. It was only after these experiences that she decided to pursue her PhD in International Crime and Justice to begin empirical research on innovative methods to reduce recidivism and prevent intergenerational incarceration.
Trauma-Informed Intelligence and System Reform in Mongolian Women’s Prisons (PID130)
Trauma-Informed Intelligence and System Reform in Mongolian Women’s Prisons (PID130)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
How can prison intelligence and trauma-informed practices work together to support reform? This presentation shares a case study from Mongolia’s largest women’s prison, where more than 40% of incarcerated individuals are repeat offenders. Using 2023–2024 data, we explore how early-warning indicators and behavioral intelligence uncovered unseen risks such as manipulation, informal power dynamics, and emotional instability.
In response, the General Executive Agency of Court Decision introduced a new intervention model combining intelligence gathering with mental health support and structured reintegration efforts. The approach links security staff with social workers and psychologists to provide shared insight into inmate behavior and long-term risk. This session will share key findings, practical tools, and lessons learned from applying a trauma-informed lens to prison intelligence. It will be especially useful to those working in similar environments seeking to improve safety, rehabilitation, and reintegration outcomes—while aligning with the Nelson Mandela Rules and other international standards.
Mandala Altantogos, Detective, General Executive Agency of Court Decision (SHSHGG), Mongolia
Personal Bio
Mandala Altantogos is a corrections and security professional from Mongolia with over 10 years of experience in prison safety, intelligence operations, and international cooperation. She currently works as a Detective at the General Executive Agency of Court Decision (SHSHGG), where she is responsible for analyzing risks, collecting intelligence, and supporting the safe and secure operation of correctional facilities. Earlier in her career, Mandala served as Chief Inspector of Security and Safety at the Foreign Detention Center and as a Foreign Affairs Specialist at SHSHGG. In these roles, she led security teams, helped improve international relations, and supported reforms aligned with global standards for human rights and prison management.
Mandala holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Law and a Master’s degree in Management Science. In 2023, she took part in a professional program in Tokyo, Japan focused on the reintegration of released inmates. Her current work includes developing trauma-informed approaches and promoting cooperation between correctional officers, psychologists, and social workers—especially within women’s prisons. She is committed to improving correctional systems in line with the Nelson Mandela Rules and the Bangkok Rules. Her focus is on creating safer, more respectful environments that support successful reintegration and reduce recidivism. As a professional and mother of three, Mandala brings both practical experience and a strong personal dedication to advancing humane and effective correctional practices.
From Bystanders to Participants: Encouraging TB and HIV Screening Among Prison Staff in Mozambique (PID033)
From Bystanders to Participants: Encouraging TB and HIV Screening Among Prison Staff in Mozambique (PID033)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Correctional facilities are high-risk environments for the transmission of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV, yet the health of correctional staff—who serve as both potential vectors and vulnerable individuals—is often overlooked in national screening strategies. This pilot initiative, conducted over a four-day period in one province of Mozambique, aimed to increase participation of correctional staff in voluntary TB and HIV screening through targeted engagement strategies including on-site health education, peer-led outreach, and confidential, workplace-based testing.
Fifty correctional staff took part in the pilot, marking a significant step toward normalizing screening among prison personnel. Early feedback indicated improved awareness, reduced stigma, and increased willingness to engage in future health services. The success of this short-term initiative highlights the potential for scalable models that prioritize staff health as a critical component of institutional infection control. Engaging staff not only protects their well-being but also strengthens the broader public health response within correctional settings.
Ivan Calder, Chief Executive Officer, Health through Walls, United States
Personal Bio
Ivan Calder is the Chief Executive Officer of Health through Walls, a nonprofit organization committed to improving health conditions in correctional facilities, and the President and Founder of Justice Health Matters, a consultancy dedicated to advancing health equity and systemic reform within criminal justice settings. With more than 20 years of experience at the intersection of public health and criminal justice, Ivan is a recognized leader in prison health systems, infectious disease control, and human rights advocacy. Under his leadership, Health through Walls has expanded across multiple countries, implementing evidence-based interventions, capacity-building initiatives, and disease surveillance programs that have significantly improved health outcomes for incarcerated populations.
Through Justice Health Matters Consultancy, Ivan provides strategic guidance to governments, NGOs, and international agencies, helping them address the complex challenges of healthcare delivery in justice systems. His approach centers on sustainable solutions, multisector collaboration, and the integration of public health standards into correctional policy and practice. Ivan is a passionate advocate for health justice, frequently contributing to global forums on access to care, incarceration, and human rights. His career reflects a deep commitment to transforming systems to ensure that marginalized and vulnerable populations receive equitable, dignified care.
The Maine Model of Corrections, Human-Centered Incarceration in the United States (PID079)
The Maine Model of Corrections, Human-Centered Incarceration in the United States (PID079)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
The Maine Department of Corrections (MDOC) and Center for Justice and Human Dignity (CJHD) host a conversation between MDOC Commissioner Randall Liberty and CJHD Executive Director Christopher Poulos on the Maine Model of Corrections, including the progress Maine has made in the areas outlined below and the transformative power of the Pathfinder Reentry-Focused Outdoor program, which brings currently incarcerated people and correctional officers into nature.
Over a seven-year period 2017-2024, MDOC accomplished a significant reduction in the following categories:
Assaults Resident on Resident: 77 Percent Reduction
Assaults on Staff: 88 Percent Reduction
Resident Self Injurious Behavior: 98 Percent Reduction
Suicidal Behavior: 65 Percent Reduction
Restrictive housing: 84 Percent Reduction (Over ten year period)
(Less than 1% of Residents now in Restrictive Housing)
Commissioner Liberty’s father was incarcerated when he was a child and he later supervised him as an Officer, while he was incarcerated. Christopher Poulos is both formerly incarcerated and has experience working in correctional leadership. Both bring multiple lenses, including lived experience, to the field which has fostered an empathetic and effective approach to corrections including focusing on the health and wellness of staff, incarcerated people, their families, and our communities.
CJHD is a non-governmental organization focused on improving conditions for incarcerated people and correctional staff and improving reentry policies, practices, and outcomes. CJHD has now partnered with MDOC on the Pathfinders program.
Randall Liberty, Commissioner, Maine Department of Corrections, United States
Personal Bio
Commissioner Randall Liberty was hired by the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office in 1989 as a Deputy Sheriff. Over twenty-six years, he served as a Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Major, Chief Deputy and as the elected Sheriff for nine years. He served as the President of the Maine Sheriffs Association, as the Chairman of the Maine Drug Enforcement Advisory Board and on the Board of Visitors at the University of Maine. In addition to his active-duty service as a Military Policeman in Korea, Commissioner Liberty performed an additional twenty-one years in the Army National Guard and Army Reserves. During this time, he served as a Mountain Infantryman in Italy, as a Drill Sergeant, and as an Instructor at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point and as the Command Sergeant Major of a Military Transition Team, imbedded with 772 Iraqi Infantryman.
Liberty is a three time State of Maine Law Enforcement Officer of the year. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and earned a Masters in Management and Leadership from Liberty University and a B.S. in Public Administration from the University of Maine. Liberty formerly served as the Warden of the Maine State Prison. Liberty was appointed as the Commissioner of Corrections for the State of Maine in 2019. Liberty has led efforts to expand universal access to medication for substance use disorder, internet access and expanded educational opportunities for the residents in his care. Liberty has successfully enhanced nutritional offerings through organic gardening and scratch cooking in his facilities.
Christopher Poulos, Executive Director, Center for Justice and Human Dignity, United States
Personal Bio
Christopher Poulos is an attorney and the executive director of the Center for Justice and Human Dignity (CJHD) and previously served as the Director of Person-Centered Services at the Washington State Department of Corrections and executive director of the Washington Statewide Reentry Council. The mission of the Center for Justice and Human Dignity is safely expanding alternatives to incarceration while improving conditions for both incarcerated people and correctional staff. Poulos’s recent focuses include expanding safe and innovative alternatives to incarceration and studying and improving U.S. and international conditions of confinement and correctional culture. He also recently launched a project in Maine and Washington state bringing incarcerated youth, adults, and correctional staff out into nature.
Poulos has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law and Criminal Justice. During law school, he served at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and The Sentencing Project. He graduated cum laude from the University of Maine School of Law and represented youth facing criminal charges as a student attorney in the Juvenile Justice Clinic. Prior to law school, Poulos overcame many obstacles, including tragic family losses, addiction, homelessness, and a federal incarceration. He is now and long-term recovery and dedicates his life to helping others overcome or avoid similar challenges. His work and personal story have been featured on The Today Show and in The Guardian, The New York Times, Washington Post, NBC News, The Hill, Crosscut, and The Harvard Law and Policy Review.
2pm – 2.30pm GMT+03:00
Coaching for Change: Supporting Prison Staff from the Inside Out (PID053)
Coaching for Change: Supporting Prison Staff from the Inside Out (PID053)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Spark Inside is a UK-registered charity that has delivered accredited, high-quality coaching programmes in prisons across England for over a decade. Initially focused on coaching people in prison, the charity expanded its services during the Covid-19 pandemic to include prison staff. Its life coaching programme offers staff across all operational grades—along with those from probation, youth intervention, and education—a reflective space and practical tools to enhance wellbeing.
Spark Inside defines coaching as a facilitated conversation that empowers individuals and groups to discover their own solutions. Unlike mentoring, coaching avoids giving advice, instead fostering self-sufficiency, independence, and personal responsibility. Using techniques such as powerful questioning and thought-provoking prompts, coaching supports transformation and goal achievement for those living and working in prison environments.
This presentation shares findings from an evaluation of the prison staff coaching programme, conducted between March and December 2023. Using an appreciative enquiry approach—focusing on strengths rather than problems—the evaluation explored the experiences of participating staff. Key objectives included understanding the perceived impact of coaching, areas of life addressed, benefits reported, retention in service, and effects on workplace skills and motivation. It also gathered suggestions for programme improvement.
The paper will outline the evaluation methodology, present findings, and offer recommendations for future delivery. It will conclude with an audience discussion exploring the potential value of coaching in other organisations, barriers to improving staff wellbeing, and other programmes supporting prison staff health and wellbeing.
Professor Karen Harrison, Professor of Law and Penal Justice, University of Lincoln, England, United Kingdom
Personal Bio
Karen Harrison is a Professor of Law and Penal Justice at Lincoln Law School, University of Lincoln, where she also serves as the Director of the Lincoln Centre for Crime and Justice. With a career spanning over 26 years in academia, Karen began her journey with a PhD focused on the implementation of the What Works policy in the Dyfed-Powys Probation Area, incorporating ethnographic research. Throughout her career, Karen has been involved in numerous empirical projects related to offender management, policing, and the disclosure of sexual abuse. Her recent research has concentrated on the health and wellbeing of prison governors, including an evaluation of equality, diversity, and inclusion experiences among members of the Prison Governor’s Association. Karen has authored and edited several books and academic journal papers, with her work being published in prominent journals and edited collections. She has also led and contributed to various funded projects and consultancy roles, particularly in collaboration with criminal justice organisations.
Tom Currie, Head of Impact and Innovation, Spark Inside Coaching in Prison, England, United Kingdom
Personal Bio
Tom Currie is Head of Impact and Innovation at Spark Inside. Spark Inside has been coaching men incarcerated in UK prisons since 2012 and coaching prison staff for over five years. Tom leads on a number of coaching-based initiatives in prisons that provide space for individuals and groups to make better, more informed choices. Tom’s career has spanned supporting international corporations to achieve culture change and he has worked as a facilitator in a wide range of settings supporting clients to increase self-awareness, change mindsets and challenge beliefs in support of developing new behaviours and habits. Since 2006, when he took his first role in the charity sector, Tom has designed, developed and managed a range of prison programmes. His role at Spark Inside combines the organisation’s drive to innovate with a keen commitment to understand and improve impact.
Change is Hard: Key Challenges and Learnings About Practice Reform in Custodial Settings (PID080)
The Power of Holistic Reintegration (PID207)
The Power of Holistic Reintegration (PID207)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
What happens after prison often determines whether people return to crime or build new lives. This session explores how Network After Imprisonment and the G26 Re-entry Center in Oslo are transforming reintegration through holistic, coordinated support. Initiated by the Norwegian Red Cross in 2004, Network After Imprisonment has become a national model for post-release support, operating in close partnership with the Correctional Service, municipalities, and volunteers. The approach was taken a step further with the G26 Re-entry Center, where services like corrections, welfare (NAV), adult education, healthcare, work training, and civil society actors are co-located and work together across sectors
By offering one point of entry and integrating services, G26 simplifies the reintegration process and reduces time and cost—while strengthening outcomes for people released from prison.
By offering one point of entry and integrating services, G26 simplifies the reintegration process and reduces time and cost—while strengthening outcomes for people released from prison.
This model has gained wide national and international attention. Delegations, policymakers, and organizations from across Europe have visited the center, recognizing it as a leading example of practical, human-centered reintegration. The success has led to a formal cooperation agreement between the Norwegian Red Cross and the Directorate of Correctional Service to expand re-entry centers to additional cities across Norway. In this presentation, we share lessons learned, results achieved, and what it takes to build real bridges between systems, sectors, and people. Whether you work in corrections, social policy, or community development—this is a session for anyone interested in what happens after prison, and how to do it better.
Stian Estenstad, Manager Network after Imprisonment, Oslo Red Cross, Norway
Personal Bio
With a background in substance abuse treatment and education from the Norwegian Correctional Service Education Center, Estenstad began his career as a prison officer at Ullersmo and Oslo Prisons. He was the person in charge for a recidivism project in collaboration with probation services, aiming to support repeat offenders during their transition back into society. In 2004, he joined the Norwegian Red Cross and played a key role in establishing the ""Network After Imprisonment"" program, which he continues to lead. The program offers comprehensive support for individuals transitioning from incarceration to release and is now active in several major Norwegian cities. Its success has inspired similar initiatives in Denmark, Iceland, and Latvia, with other countries also exploring the model. Estenstad also founded and leads Norway’s first Re-entry Center, G26, in Oslo. This innovative center provides holistic services for formerly incarcerated individuals, including access to social support, education, drug rehabilitation, and employment training. The Re-entry Center has significantly strengthened the reintegration efforts for this vulnerable population and serves as a national model for coordinated post-release support.
Tomas Myra, Advisor for the Youth Project, Oslo Red Cross, Norway
Personal Bio
Tomas Myra was once on the Oslo police’s VIC (Very Important Criminal) list, meaning he was among the 30 most active criminals during the 1990s and early 2000s. He spent nearly 15 years in and out of prison, faced trial 16 times, and was convicted in over 300 cases—from his first conviction in 1987 to his last in 2003. Tomas made a crucial decision to change his life. He took advantage of every offer available to him in prison and through probation services. He first engaged with the Norwegian Red Cross’ Network After Imprisonment program as a participant, then as a volunteer, and now works there as an employee. Tomas also earned a qualification as a child and youth worker and has worked in child welfare and psychiatry. Today, he is responsible for supporting young offenders aged 15 to 25 within the Network After Imprisonment. Tomas’s story and that of Stian Estenstad began over 25 years ago at Oslo Prison. Stian, a newly trained prison officer, was assigned as Tomas’s case officer. Their first encounter involved Stian denying Tomas a furlough. Today, they are colleagues working together at the Norwegian Red Cross’ Network After Imprisonment.
Launching the First Data-Driven Global Tool to Measure the Risk of Torture and Ill-Treatment: OMCT's Global Torture Index (PID091)
Launching the First Data-Driven Global Tool to Measure the Risk of Torture and Ill-Treatment: OMCT's Global Torture Index (PID091)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
In 2024, the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), alongside over 200 local groups in the SOS-Torture Network, created the Global Torture Index—a unique, data-driven tool designed to annually assess the risk of torture in every country. The Index is launched within the OMCT Global Week Against Torture on the 25 June 2025, measuring 26 countries initially, covering the five regions, with plans for scaling up in subsequent years.
The Index evaluates national legal systems, public policies, and their real-world effects, comparing them against international human rights standards. It aims to inform governments, international organizations, and the public through an interactive and accessible online platform. The Index not only quantifies risk but also provides qualitative insights gathered from local civil society organisations and human rights defenders, highlighting systemic issues, good practices, and survivor stories. With its comprehensive analysis, the Index serves as a platform to identify concerning country practices, root causes, and trends over the years, and highlight priority areas for advocacy strategies. It showcases stories from survivors and recognises good practices by governments and civil society, fostering encouragement for greater human rights compliance.
Honest Ofor, Senior Programme Officer, Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, Nigeria
Personal Bio
Mr. Honest Munachiso Offor is a Senior Programme Officer at Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA). He holds a Master's Degree in Conflict Security and Development from the Nigerian Defence Academy, as well as a Master's in Human Rights and International Politics from the University of Glasgow. He is also an alumnus of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. In 2021, he presented Nigeria's Alternative Civil Society Report on the Situation of Torture before the United Nations Committee Against Torture (CAT) in Geneva. He currently serves on the Research Committee of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT).
Honest led the Effective Implementation of Non-custodial Measures Project in Nigeria, a European Union-supported initiative under the British Council’s Rule of Law and Anti-corruption (RoLAC) Programme. This project established a foundational framework for the implementation of community corrections—a historic first in Nigeria's criminal justice system.
He is also a recognized capacity-building expert and has facilitated training sessions for key government institutions, including the Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Law Reform Commission, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, and various tertiary institutions.
Ángel María Salvador Ferrer, Coordinador, Prevención de la Tortura, Documenta, Mexico
Personal Bio
Ángel María Salvador Ferrer has served as Programme Coordinator in the Prevention of Torture, within the Analysis and Action for Social Justice Unit, since 2018. Previously, at Documenta, he worked as a Researcher in the promotion and implementation of projects in the Prison System and Social Reintegration Programme and in the Disability Programme, as well as in the diagnosis of human rights situations. He specialises in developing innovative solutions to address the lack of judicial protection for people affected by complex and high-impact criminal phenomena. Recognising that the inaccessibility of justice is a multifaceted challenge, he advocates for a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach that integrates legal sciences, data, social sciences, communication, and the arts. His goal is to empower people to become active agents and self-managers of their own demands and rights.
UN-Fitting for Confinement in Prison Segregation: A Northern Ireland Perspective (PID067)
UN-Fitting for Confinement in Prison Segregation: A Northern Ireland Perspective (PID067)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
This session explores the ethical and operational changes to prison healthcare practice in Northern Ireland following a 2018 policy shift. Healthcare staff, now employed by the Department of Health and independent from the Department of Justice, withdrew from involvement in decisions to confine individuals in the Care and Supervision Unit (CSU) and from participation in control and restraint procedures. A revised policy now ensures that individuals placed in segregation are assessed by healthcare professionals within two hours, maintaining clinical oversight while protecting ethical boundaries. The introduction of the SPAR Evolution policy in 2019 further advanced a person-centred approach to supporting vulnerable individuals. These reforms have strengthened trust, clarified professional roles, and brought practice into alignment with international human rights standards.
Dr. Richard Kirk, Clinical Director Healthcare in Prison Northern Ireland, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland
Personal Bio
Dr. Richard Kirk is a medical doctor (General Practitioner) and the Clinical Director of Healthcare in Northern Ireland Prisons. He qualified in Medicine from Queen’s University Belfast in 2005 and has been a partner in a community General Practice for 11 years. Since 2011, he has provided medical care to those in the Northern Ireland prison system, and in 2017 he was appointed Clinical Director for healthcare services across the Northern Ireland Prison estate. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners and a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians London’s Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. Dr. Kirk also holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Durham University, UK, and a certification in Clinical Addictions.
2.30pm – 3pm GMT+03:00
From Prison Back Home: The Uganda Prisons Service Experience (PID004)
From Prison Back Home: The Uganda Prisons Service Experience (PID004)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
"From Prison Back Home" is all about reintegration and supervision of people released from prison back into their communities. This process is critical for promoting reconciliation, successful resettlement, social justice, reducing recidivism, plus building stronger and more resilient communities. There are a number of activities involved which include:
1. Holding Discharge Boards in the Prison
2. Making Pre visits to the community to prepare the members to receive back the prisoner.
3. Giving feedback to the prisoner
4. Providing reintegration packages to deserving prisoners
4. Release of the prisoner
5. Following up to ensure successful reintegration.
Community involvement is key to successful reintegration.
Sarah Nalwanga, Assistant Commissioner, Community Corrections, Uganda Prisons Service, Uganda
Personal Bio
Ms. Nalwanga Sarah is a Prison Social Worker in the Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) with 33 years of professional experience in the Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Prisoners. Her professional career aims at making Prisoners better persons than when they can into Prison (Rehabilitation) and ensuring that they are successfully reintegrated back into the community as law abiding citizens. She joined the Uganda Prisons Service as a Welfare and Rehabilitation Officer. At this level she practiced Primary Social Work in both Female and Male Prisons. She has played an important role in the implementation of various programmes namely, HIV & AIDS Care & Management, Human Rights training & Observance, establishment of the first Day Care Centre for female inmates’ Babies. Sarah also worked as Regional Welfare & Rehabilitation Officer in two Prisons Administrative Regions namely, Kampala Extra and Central. Currently, she is an Assistant Commissioner heading Community Corrections, and is working on the legal framework to guide the implementation of Prisons managed community corrections e.g. Parole, Release on Licence.
She is a Certified Trainer/Facilitator and has helped build capacities and contribute to systems strengthening in a number of areas namely, Alternatives to Violence, Trauma Healing, Conflict Resolution, Care & Management of PLWHIV, Human Rights, SGBV and Prison Social Work. Sarah holds a Masters in Demography, PGDs in Demography and Social Justice, B.A. in Social Work & Social Administration, Diploma in Health Systems in the Care & Management of PLWHIV, Diploma in Human Rights & a Certificate in Administrative Law. She is fluent in English, the official language of Uganda.
Incarceration's Impact on Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Analysis of International Systems (SMD= -1.39) (PID024)
Incarceration's Impact on Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Analysis of International Systems (SMD= -1.39) (PID024)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
Breaking the Cycle: How Prisons Worsen Mental Health—And How to Fix It. Did you know incarceration often deepens mental health crises instead of rehabilitating individuals? Despite the Nelson Mandela Rules, which demand humane treatment, prisons worldwide are failing to protect mental health—sometimes making conditions worse.
This groundbreaking meta-analysis (N=835 across the US, Spain, and Nigeria) reveals a shocking 39% decline in mental health after incarceration, directly violating Rule 24 (right to healthcare) and Rule 65 (rehabilitation focus). The findings expose systemic neglect: overcrowding, untreated trauma, and punitive environments that harm rather than heal.
But there’s hope. This session explores real solutions, including:
- Mandatory mental health screenings at intake
- Trauma-informed prison design to reduce harm
- Staff training aligned with WHO standards
Join us to discuss:
Can prisons be reformed to stop worsening mental health?
Should global benchmarks (like SMD=−1.39) hold prisons accountable?
What would humane, rehabilitative justice actually look like?
If you care about human rights, criminal justice reform, or mental health advocacy, this is a conversation you can’t miss. Be part of the change.
Azizul Haq Kader Moideen, Senior Executive, Correctional Health, Clinical Quality and Compliance, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
Personal Bio
Azizul Haq is a Senior Executive in Clinical Quality and Compliance Unit, Department of Correctional Health at Changi General Hospital (Singapore), medical service provider for incarcerated populations. With medical background, a Master of Public Health (University of Birmingham,UK) and a decade of experience spanning clinical care, root cause analysis, and prison healthcare audits, he bridge frontline medical expertise with data-driven systemic reforms. My work in correctional health has included facilitating clinical incident investigations, credentialing prison medical staff, and implementing clinical quality standards across Singapore’s prison healthcare system—ensuring compliance while advocating for trauma-informed care. As a researcher, Azizul Haq recent meta-analysis of 835 incarcerated individuals (SMD=−1.39) quantifies the severe mental health decline caused by incarceration, providing the first pooled evidence that prisons violate the Nelson Mandela Rule 24 on healthcare access. This work underscores his commitment to translating data into actionable policy changes. At ICPA 2025, he will discuss how SMD benchmarks could audit prison compliance with international standards and pilot mental health screening tools to curb this decline.
Addressing Service Gaps For Corrections Clients with Complex Needs: Lessons from a Multilateral Collaboration, the Leadership Gathering (PID134)
Addressing Service Gaps For Corrections Clients with Complex Needs: Lessons from a Multilateral Collaboration, the Leadership Gathering (PID134)
Thematic Workshop Sessions
Abstract Summary
British Columbia continues to face multiple, overlapping social crises, including fentanyl/opioid dependency and associated overdoses, chronic homelessness, unaddressed mental illness in the community, and widespread low-level acquisitive crime and street disorder. In British Columbia both federal and provincial Correctional services are centrally placed for response as many individuals caught up in these crises are Corrections clients, and many aspects of these crises directly impact reintegration efforts. In Canada, a familiar, vertical organizational approach to crisis management across the public and non-profit service sectors, via distinct, vertically managed mandates, has seen these crises persist. Recent years have seen increased interest in generating multilateral problem-solving. A civil-society-led dialogue promoting more lateral problem-solving, the Leadership Gathering, in which Corrections participation and leadership has been critical, brings together leaders and experts from the justice, health, social, and housing sectors in a non-attributed space for discussion, offering leaders the opportunity to consider how to challenge, navigate and mitigate the effects of so-called ‘silos’ within public investment in service delivery. The authors detail the establishment and operation of the Leadership Gathering over a five-year period, viewed through a Corrections lens, conclude that the process has yielded two novel outcomes: important and useful insights on multi-agency “person-centered” crisis response unlikely to have been developed through conventional means and by existing structures; and a unique, valuable and enduring network of policy expertise which transcends professional and public sector hierarchies and silos.
Dr. Allan Castle, Senior Associate, International Centre for Criminal Law Reform & Criminal Justice Policy, Canada
Personal Bio
Allan Castle studied politics at the University of British Columbia, the London School of Economics, McGill University and Harvard University. Since 1995 he has worked internationally, nationally, and at the provincial level in the areas of criminal justice, justice system reform, public sector strategy, and performance measurement. From 1995 to 1999 he led research on financial crime at the UN-affiliated International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy and was an accredited UNODC observer. From 2001-2011 he managed the intelligence analysis program for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pacific Region, and led the Crime Reduction strategy, a model of operations requiring collaboration between public safety and public health taking holistic approaches to offending. From 2011-2016 Allan led a portfolio of justice reform efforts and business intelligence initiatives within the British Columbia Justice Ministry.
Since founding his own consulting firm in 2016, Allan has worked in many areas of evidence-based, holistic, and post-colonial approaches to justice and public policy. He has served as the organizer and facilitator of Canada's National Criminal Justice Symposium (2018-2023) and has facilitated the Leadership Gathering since 2020. He is the author of numerous reports and articles concerning public policy and criminal justice, most recently “Considering the Best Interests of the Child in Sentencing and Other Decisions Concerning Parents Facing Criminal Sanctions,” (editor), International Centre for Criminal Law Reform & Criminal Justice Policy, 2024.
Barbara van Vugt, District Director for Community Corrections, BC/Yukon, Correctional Service of Canada, Canada
Personal Bio
Ms. van Vugt began her career in the public service working for CSC as a Correctional Officer at Matsqui Institution in 1994. In 2006, she became the Associate District Director at Community Corrections. She entered the Executive ranks as acting Warden at Ferndale Institution in 2010 and was appointed to Warden, Mission Institution in 2011. In September 2017, she returned to Community Corrections as District Director, BC/Yukon area. Barb has over 30 years’ experience working for CSC.
Mark Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Connective Service Society, Canada
Personal Bio
Mark Miller brings 40 years of experience across government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors, including over 30 years in senior leadership roles. For the past nine years, he has served as CEO of Connective Support Society, leading the organization through a period of significant growth. Under his leadership, Connective has expanded to more than 1,000 employees and an annual operating budget exceeding $100 million, delivering impactful social and criminal justice programs across British Columbia and the Yukon. Prior to his nonprofit leadership roles, Mark held executive positions in the transportation industry and spent more than a decade with BC Corrections in various leadership capacities. His diverse background and deep commitment to public service have helped shape Connective into a thriving, mission-driven organization.
3.30pm – 4pm GMT+03:00
Better Than Arrival Corrections: Enhancing Well-Being Through Empowered Lived Experience (PID105)
Better Than Arrival Corrections: Enhancing Well-Being Through Empowered Lived Experience (PID105)
Plenary Session
Abstract Summary
Solely relying on recidivism reduction as the goal of correctional success limits what could be achieved through the correctional system. Pursuing correctional success in the form of making people 'not criminal' inherently assumes a starting point where people are 'criminal'. The language we use, the approaches we take, all originate with a goal to change criminals instead of empowering humans. A different measurement of correctional success could be that people are better than their arrival to the correctional system. Whatever they looked like upon entry to the system, broadly defined, their time spent under supervision should make them better in the future. They could be healthier (physically and mentally), with less dependence on illicit substances, more educated, more employable, and with stronger relationships to family, friends, and community.
The purpose of this presentation is to inform and educate audience members on the design, pilot implementation, challenges, and benefits of a framework to measure correctional success as enhancing the well-being of people who are incarcerated. We introduce a well-being framework co-designed by university researchers and incarcerated men. The co-design approach ensures that the work is grounded in both scientific rigor and lived experience wisdom. The orientation, administration, and implementation are entirely peer-led, with the individual empowered to see their assessment and progress directly in front of them. With repeated assessments, individual scores and improvement across well-being can be documented, as can an overall aggregate score and improvement. Better than arrival corrections means enhancing well-being for as many people as possible.
Dr Kevin Wright, Associate Professor, Arizona State University, United States
Personal Bio
Kevin A. Wright is an associate professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and director of the Center for Correctional Solutions at Arizona State University. He earned his Ph.D. in criminal justice from Washington State University in 2010. His work focuses on enhancing the lives of people living and working in the correctional system through research, education, and community engagement. Dr. Wright developed and taught the first Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program class in the state of Arizona and is a co-founder of the Arizona Transformation Project—a learning community of faculty, students, and people who are incarcerated. He was awarded the Washington State University Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology Distinguished Alumni Award in 2022, the American Society of Criminology Teaching Award in 2020, and the Arizona State University Faculty Women's Association Outstanding Faculty Mentor in 2019. Dr. Wright is co-author, alongside a man incarcerated for life, of the book Imprisoned Minds: Lost Boys, Trapped Men, and Solutions from Within the Prison (Rutgers University Press, 2025). He is currently the Deputy Chair of the ICPA Research and Development Network.
Friday 31 October
8.30am – 12.30pm GMT+03:00
Ümraniye T Type Closed Prison and Istanbul Juvenile Reformatory House (Juvenile Open Type)
