Coming of Age: The International Corrections and Prisons Association

• NCJ Number: 226837
• Journal: Corrections Compendium Volume: 34 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 2009 Pages: 52-54
• Author(s): Gary Hill
• Date Published: 2009
• Length: 3 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

After describing events that led to the creation of the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA), this article presents the ICPA’s mission statement; describes ICPA activities and events, including communications and evaluation; and explains how ICPA is enhancing public safety worldwide.

Abstract

The impetus for the creation of the ICPA stemmed from a 1998 international symposium called “Beyond Prisons,“ which was hosted by the Canadian Commissioner of Corrections in Kingston, Ontario (Canada). On the last day of the conference, a spontaneous and widely supported resolution was passed that proposed the creation of an international association for correctional progress. Three months later in June 1998, the Israel Prison Service hosted an international summit attended by 50 corrections professionals from 22 countries. The issue of an international correctional association was advanced at this summit to the point of creating a steering committee that would draft the organization’s constitution and guidelines, as well as prepare and present detailed resolutions and work plans for the founding conference. The steering committee met in September 1998 for a strategic planning session that resulted in the formal naming of the ICPA and the development of a mission statement. The ICPA’s mission is “to contribute to public safety and healthier communities by encouraging and enabling best correctional practices in prisons and outside communities.” Subsequent to this meeting held in Canada, the ICPA was incorporated as a Canadian nonprofit organization with its first office in Ottawa. In 2005, the ICPA operating office was moved from Canada to Scotland as more European nations assumed leadership roles. From its beginning, ICPA has taken an active role in providing input on corrections at international events and in relevant publications. As of the writing of this article, 21 nations pay a membership fee to ICPA, as do 18 private organizations.