About ICPA: For the Advancement of Professional Corrections

The International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) is the leading global, member-based organisation dedicated to advancing professional correctional practice worldwide. Established in 1998, ICPA exists to foster safer, more humane, and effective correctional systems through the exchange of knowledge, the promotion of innovation, and the cultivation of international networks among professionals working in the field of corrections.

 

Our mission is grounded in the belief that the sharing of good practice, evidence, and experience leads to meaningful improvement. We facilitate this through our global community of members, who benefit from year-round opportunities for connection, learning, and collaboration. Importantly, our topic-specific Networks provide opportunity for members to connect and learn from one another on key areas facing our Associations. At the heart of our calendar is the ICPA Annual Conference, held every year in the final week of October. Recognised as the premier international gathering for corrections professionals, the conference brings together practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and leaders from across the world to exchange ideas, explore emerging trends, and build partnerships.

 

ICPA’s diverse membership reflects the breadth of sectors engaged in correctional work. We bring together individuals and organisations from the public sector, non-profit and non-governmental organisations, academia, and private industry. We believe that through inclusive collaboration and a shared commitment to professional excellence, we can continue to drive improvements that support both institutional integrity and community safety.

 

ICPA is governed by an international Board of Directors and supported by an Executive Director and a dedicated Executive Team, who oversee the delivery of our strategic goals and day-to-day operations. You can learn more about a focus through our Strategic Plan and current Business Plan. We are proud to be recognised as a non-governmental organisation in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). ICPA also holds a signed Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations through the Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), reinforcing our shared commitment to advancing humane and effective corrections within the broader international framework of justice and human rights. ICPA is committed to supporting our members and all corrections-involved agencies and organisations to operate in accordance with key international guiding documents​​​​​​.

 

The International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) is a global member-based association supporting the improvement of correctional and prison practice. ICPA exists to promote and share ethical and effective correctional practices to enhance public safety and healthier communities worldwide. In the broader correctional ecosystem, ICPA exists as a strictly apolitical Association with a focus to promote evidence-based practice, collaboration, and advancing of ethical and effective correctional practices worldwide. By committing to an apolitical stance, ICPA supports global engagement and participation from all correctional leaders. ICPA believes that this is vital to advancing the Association’s mission of improving correctional practice. By connecting, sharing knowledge, and learning from better practices, we can collectively promote and enhance the delivery of humane correctional practices worldwide.

 

Mission

Vision

Values

• Integrity and Professionalism: We act with honesty, transparency, and professionalism in all our work.
• Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: We value the exchange of ideas, experience, and expertise, and we believe that the global corrections community works best in partnership to achieve shared goals.
• Belief in Rehabilitation: We believe in the capacity of individuals to change and are committed to supporting their reintegration to community.
• Respect for Human Dignity and Rights: We uphold the inherent dignity of every person and are dedicated to protecting and promoting their rights.
• Appropriate Use of Imprisonment: We promote effective community-based corrections and advocate for imprisonment only as a last resort.