Global Prison Leaders Unite in Türkiye for Heads of Service Forum
In a powerful display of international solidarity, prison and corrections leaders from approximately 40 countries convened this morning for the International Corrections and Prisons Association's prestigious Heads of Service forum, marking the opening of the organisation's 27th Annual Conference.
The conference, hosted by Türkiye's General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses under the leadership of Director General Enis Yavuz Yıldırım, brings together some of the world's most experienced correctional administrators to address a pressing and often overlooked challenge: the wellbeing of those who work within prison walls.
"We are all here in recognition that what binds us together is not just the theme of this conference, but a deeper commitment to public service in the corrections sector," said David Brown, Acting President of ICPA and Chief Executive Officer of South Australia's Department for Correctional Services, in his opening remarks.
"Every correctional system is, at its heart, a public service. Its success depends not only on infrastructure, rules, or resources, but on leadership, values, integrity, resilience and compassion."
This year's conference theme—"Wellbeing in Corrections: Initiatives for Staff, Systems and Communities"—reflects a growing recognition across the globe that correctional reform cannot succeed without attending to the mental health and resilience of staff who operate under some of the most demanding conditions in public service.
"It is often said that in demanding environments such as ours, wellbeing is not a luxury—it is a necessity," David Brown told delegates. He invoked the words of Nelson Mandela to underscore the moral weight of their work: "There can be no greater gift than that of giving one's time and energy to helping others without expecting anything in return."
A highlight of the morning session was a specialised training led by Amend, a California-based organisation pioneering trauma-informed approaches to correctional leadership. Founder and Director Brie Williams was joined by a distinguished delegation, including Chance Andes, Warden of San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, and Paul Daniel, Reentry Center Administrator with the Washington Department of Corrections.
Their workshop focused on the complexities of leading within a dynamic security model—one that balances safety with humanity and rehabilitation.
"Amend is an ideal example of the benefits of engaging across the globe in learning from one another," David Brown said, acknowledging the power of cross-border collaboration in driving systemic change.
David Brown himself embodies the values at the heart of this year's conference. Since 2012, he has led South Australia's correctional system to achieve one of the lowest reoffending rates in Australia, with a strong focus on rehabilitation, reintegration, and culturally sensitive programming—particularly for Aboriginal Australians.
David Brown expressed hope that delegates would leave the conference with "renewed energy, new tools, and strengthened confidence" in their roles—and with lasting connections forged across borders.
"Your collective experience, insight and leadership are the backbone of ICPA," he said. "Your willingness to gather, share, challenge and learn together is precisely what makes this association so important and impactful."
The ICPA conference continues through the week, with sessions covering trauma-informed care, mental health supports, staff resilience, community partnerships, and innovations in correctional service delivery.