ICPA Annual Report 2023-2024: Advancing Global Corrections Through Collaboration and Innovation
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A highlight of the year was ICPA's landmark 25th Annual Conference in Antwerp, which attracted nearly 800 delegates from approximately 90 countries. The conference, themed "Humane Corrections: What More Can We Do," featured an unprecedented number of expert presentations from a variety of sectors and subject matters that underpin correctional practice, including healthcare, prison management, and community supervision. The conference’s diversity underscored the Association’s commitment to fostering dialogue and advancing contemporary good practices in corrections on a global scale.
In April 2024, ICPA co-organized two successful back-to-back conferences in Türkiye. The Technology in Corrections (TIC) conference, focusing on "Digital Rehabilitation," drew over 350 delegates, while the inaugural Innovation in Prison Infrastructure Conference (IPIC) attracted more than 260 attendees. Together, these events saw participation from nearly 60 countries, highlighting ICPA's role in fostering correctional innovation and knowledge exchange.
The Association's global reach continued to expand through active participation in numerous international events. ICPA representatives attended conferences and workshops in the United States, Georgia, Uganda, Thailand, and the Netherlands, among others. Notable engagements included participation in the UNODC's expert group meeting on reducing reoffending in Vienna and the Asia-Pacific Regional Consultative Meeting to Advance the Application of the Bangkok Rules in Bangkok.
ICPA further solidified its position in global corrections by strengthening partnerships with organizations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Council of Europe, and various regional correctional associations. The signing of new partnership agreements, including one with the Supervision Around the World Project, demonstrates ICPA's commitment to collaborative efforts in advancing correctional practices worldwide.
The Association's Network Groups continued to play a pivotal role in facilitating knowledge exchange and policy development across various areas of corrections. These groups, covering topics such as community corrections, healthcare, technology solutions, and juvenile justice, serve as platforms for experts to share best practices and drive innovation in the field.
ICPA's regional chapters in North America, Latin America, and Europe further enhanced its global presence and impact. These chapters have been instrumental in developing regional relationships and ensuring that the association's activities remain relevant and inclusive across different parts of the world. ICPA also undertook the formal decision to close its African Chapter and instead focus on supporting the work of the African Correctional Services Association.
ICPA saw a notable increase in staff and professional memberships. This growth reflects the increasing recognition of ICPA's value in the correctional community. To better serve its expanding membership base, the Association implemented strategic changes to improve its operational capacity, including hiring specialists in fundraising and event management.
The Association's commitment to knowledge dissemination was evident in the continued success of its "Advancing Corrections Journal." The journal produced highly recognized editions, including a well-received issue on "Reforming Corrections through Technology," which aligned closely with the 2024 TIC conference themes.
Looking ahead, ICPA has finalized a new Strategic Plan for 2024-2027 and updated its Business Plan for 2023-2025. These plans focus on expanding the association's global activities, particularly in underrepresented regions, and strengthening partnerships within the field of prisons and corrections. The association is committed to delivering a minimum of six online events, including webinars and Learning Academy sessions, in the coming year.
Financial management has also been a key area of focus, with ICPA transitioning to a specialized firm to strengthen its financial operations. This move, along with the approval of a small fee increase for memberships to align with global inflation, demonstrates ICPA's commitment to ensuring long-term sustainability and continued delivery of high-quality services to its members.
As ICPA moves into the next fiscal year, it remains dedicated to its mission of advancing professional corrections worldwide. Through knowledge sharing, networking, and advocacy for best practices in prison and community corrections, ICPA continues to play a crucial role in shaping the future of correctional systems globally.
The Association's leadership, including the Board of Directors and Executive Director Natalie Boal, expressed gratitude to the members and sponsors whose support has been instrumental in ICPA's success. As ICPA looks to the future, it is poised to build on its achievements and tackle new challenges in the ever-evolving field of corrections and prison management.
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