Date and Time
- Session 1: London 1:00 AM (16 Sep) / New York 8:00 PM (15 Sep) / Sydney 10:00 AM (16 Sep)
- Session 2: London 1:00 PM (18 Sep) / New York 8:00 AM (18 Sep) / Sydney 10:00 PM (18 Sep)
Working in corrections means operating in an environment where the unexpected can quickly become operational reality. Serious incidents, changing prisoner populations, staffing pressures, infrastructure constraints, and emerging risks can place significant demands on people and systems. These realities require senior leaders to make difficult decisions under considerable pressure.
This invite-only ICPA webinar for Heads of Service provides an opportunity to hear directly from two colleagues about how they are preparing for and responding to the operational challenges and crises that underpin our work in corrections.
David Brown
Natalie Boal
Heidi Washington
Matt Varley
Heidi Washington, Director, Michigan Department of Corrections, will share Michigan DOC's approach to crisis planning and organisational preparedness, including the frameworks, governance structures, and planning processes in place to prepare the service for major incidents and support effective decision-making when crises arise. Her perspective will explore how leaders build readiness before a crisis occurs and how preparedness is embedded across a large correctional system.
Matthew Varley, Commissioner, Department of Corrections, Northern Territory Government, will examine the very real operational challenge of rapidly rising prisoner numbers in the Northern Territory and the response required to manage this growth. His presentation will explore the pressures this creates across the correctional system and the leadership, operational, and strategic decisions involved in responding to a rapidly changing environment.
Together, our speakers will offer two different but complementary perspectives on what it means to lead a correctional service through significant operational challenges, from preparing organisationally for crises before they occur, to responding when pressures on the system are already escalating.
The session is intended to be practical, candid, and peer-led, providing an opportunity to hear what colleagues are doing in different jurisdictions, reflect on shared challenges and consider what approaches might be relevant in other correctional systems.
Most importantly, the webinar will provide a space for Heads of Service to connect with peers internationally, exchange experiences, and build relationships across jurisdictions. It will also serve as a taster for the ICPA Heads of Service Forum in Belfast, continuing the conversation and creating opportunities for those unable to attend the Forum in person to engage with the global Heads of Service community.
