Terry Hackett is an internationally recognized expert in prison reform, detention governance, prison infrastructure, and rule of law based criminal justice systems, with more than 30 years of professional experience across domestic, international, and conflict affected settings. He is a Senior Associate with the International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy in Vancouver Canada, and co-founder and principal of Praesora Consulting, advising governments and international organizations on prison reform, detention standards, infrastructure planning, leadership, and institutional governance.

 

From 2018 to 2025, Terry served with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), most recently as Head of the Persons Deprived of Liberty Unit in Geneva. In this role he led the development of global policy and operational practice for ICRC work across prison, police, military, and migration detention systems in more than 75 countries. He oversaw multidisciplinary programmes addressing prison management, detention governance, prison infrastructure, and detention conditions, and led ICRC thought leadership on prison planning and design and the responsible use of technology in custodial environments.

 

In addition to this global leadership role, Terry conducted operational missions and technical engagements in more than 20 countries, working directly with governments, justice ministries, and correctional authorities to translate international standards into practical reforms in complex and fragile environments.

Earlier in his career, Terry spent 22 years with Correctional Service of Canada, including as Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Correctional Operations (Pacific Region), and served as Canada’s senior correctional official in Afghanistan supporting national correctional reform efforts (2009-10).

 

He has also supported initiatives with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. Terry holds graduate degrees in international law and human security and is a frequent speaker and author on prison reform, detention governance, and correctional leadership.