Representatives of Correctional Services Bureau and Social Welfare Bureau Attend Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators in Hong Kong (2024-11-22)

A nine-person delegation, formed by members of the Correctional Services Bureau and the Social Welfare Bureau and headed by Director of the Correctional Services Bureau Cheng Fong Meng, attended the 42nd Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators (APCCA) organized by the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department on 17 to 21 November 2024 in Hong Kong. Themed “Collaboration for Sustainable and High-quality Development”, this year’s APCCA saw over 140correctional administrators and representatives from 30countries and regions in the Asia-Pacific engage in an exchange of views and practical experiences on correctional administration-related topics, which effectively strengthened the connection among attendees and facilitated the development of correctional services in different jurisdictions.

Held annually in one of its member Countries or Regions, the Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators is intended as a platform for correctional and prison administrators of different places to gather together and pool collective wisdoms that spur the continuous development of corrections. The five agenda items of this year’s conference were “Challenges and initiatives in corrections”, “Training, fostering and developing staff: ensuring a professional, accountable and supportive culture”, “Technology as an aid to reducing prison violence, and to managing and rehabilitating offenders in prison and the community”, “Working with families and communities to improve rehabilitation and reintegration” and “How to design, construct and operate prisons in a more environmentally friendly way”. Members of the Macao delegation delivered keynote presentations on three of the agenda items, including an update on Macao’s correctional and social reintegration services in the year, an overview of the development of the Correctional Services Bureau’s Tactical Response Unit and how the Unit is formed and trained, as well as a sharing of the experiences of conducting the “Home outside the Prison” support schemefor the inmates and detained juveniles in Macao. During the conference period, the delegatesfrom different countries and regionsalso touredthe Hong Kong Correctional Services Department’sSha Tsui Correctional Institution and Lo Wu Correctional Institution, furthering theirunderstanding of the developmentof “smart prison” and the diverse rehabilitation schemes.

The successful five-day APCCA was tremendously beneficial to the Macao delegates as it furthered their understanding of the latest development of correctional administration in different places, enabled them to learn about the advanced correctional management experiences and reinforced their connection and communication with their counterparts. Members of the Macao delegation also included: Deputy Director of the Social Welfare Bureau Tang Yuk Wa; Head of the Social Welfare Bureau’s Department of Social Reintegration Ip Sio Mei; Director of Coloane Prison of the Correctional Services Bureau Lam Kam Sau; Head of our Public Relations and Information Division Vong Ka Nun; Head of our Social Assistance, Education and Training Division Ho Sio Mei; Team Leader of our Prison Affairs Support Division’s Administrative and Logistical Support Team Wong Kam Long; Chief of the Reintegration Unit, Department of Social Reintegration, Social Welfare Bureau, Tang Lai Peng; as well as Specialist Kan Pek Kei of the same Unit.

A delegation formed by staff members of the Correctional Services Bureau and the Social Welfare Bureau attends the 42nd Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators in Hong Kong 

Over 140 correctional administrators and representatives from 30 countries and regions take part in the Conference 

During the Conference, Head of the Correctional Services Bureau’s Social Assistance, Education and Training Division Ho Sio Mei gives the latest update on Macao’s correctional and social reintegration services in the year  

Team Leader of Administrative and Logistical Support Team under the Correctional Services Bureau’s Prison Affairs Support Division Wong Kam Long gives an overview of the development of the Correctional Services Bureau’s Tactical Response Unit and how the Unit is formed and trained 

Specialist of the Reintegration Unit under the Social Welfare Bureau’s Department of Social Reintegration Kan Pek Kei shares the experiences of conducting the “Home outside the Prison” support scheme for the inmates and detained juveniles in Macao