Parallel Workshops
The Connecting Hearts Foundation (CHF) invites you to explore innovative solutions for supporting families affected by incarceration. Our workshop will commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Bangkok Rules, focusing on Rule 26, which emphasizes maintaining family connections for incarcerated women. We will share insights from the “A Hearts Desire Campaign,” an initiative that supports women in correctional settings in preserving connections with their children during the holiday season, featuring adaptations from Portugal, Germany, Belgium, and beyond.
Oliver Drews, 54, holds a diploma in economics from the University of Hamburg and is a former banker. For over the last 20 years, he has dedicated his life to the world of prisons. As CEO of the Telio Group, he grew the company from 6 people to over 300, and under his leadership Telio now serves prisons in 23 countries worldwide.
Oliver has been involved in several committees on a voluntary basis. He headed the Startup Committee at the Chamber of Commerce of Hamburg. He has also served as Vice-President of Germany's biggest association of young entrepreneurs and, for many years, as a board member of “Die Familienunternehmer” – Germany's largest association of entrepreneurs. Since 2024, Oliver has been a board member of the ICPA European Chapter.
Oliver views prisons as places of second chance and is committed to supporting the rehabilitation of inmates through innovative technical products. Since his first engagement with ICPA, he has actively supported collaboration between the public and private sectors to improve conditions for both inmates and prison employees.
In addition to his professional endeavors, Oliver founded Connecting Hearts in 2022 to support children of inmates, further demonstrating his commitment to positive social change.
Lígia Rebelo started her career as a lawyer and joined the Portuguese Directorate-General for Reintegration and Prison Services 15 years ago. She is currently the Governor of Tires Prison, a women's facility located on the outskirts of Lisbon. Throughout her career, she has held leadership positions in seven different prisons across Portugal. Her contributions include active participation in policy-making, such as helping to develop regulations for the care of children living with their parents in prison. Lígia is also dedicated to the training of prison officers, emphasizing essential topics like Human Rights and the Use of Force in both initial and ongoing training programs. With her background as a lawyer and educator, she combines legal knowledge with practical insights to improve the well-being of inmates and support the professional growth of prison staff.
