Representatives of Correctional Services Bureau and Social Welfare Bureau Attend 43rd Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators in Republic of Korea (2025-11-18)

An eight-person delegation, formed by members of the Correctional Services Bureau and the Social Welfare Bureau and headed by the Director of the Correctional Services Bureau Cheng Fong Meng, visited the Republic of Korea on 9 to 14 November 2025 to attend the 43rd Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators (APCCA) organized by the Korea Correctional Service. Themed “Creating New Corrections with New Thoughts”, this year’s APCCA saw approximately 140 correctional administrators and representatives from 28 countries, regions and professional bodies 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”, “Resources, funding and effectiveness. How to make savings and efficiencies while improving correctional standards and outcomes”, “International collaboration in corrections: initiatives, challenges and benefits”, “Addressing the needs of vulnerable people in custody: how to provide inclusive, safe and effective care” and “How to prevent reoffending by people with addictions to drugs, alcohol or gambling: programs in prison and the community”. Members of the Macao delegation delivered keynote speeches on three of the agenda items, giving an update on Macao’s correctional and social reintegration services in the year, introducing Coloane Prison’s support measures for female inmates who are pregnant or who need to care for an infant or young child in prison, and sharing the multi-layered, cross-departmental collaboration mechanism established to provide drug rehabilitation support services in areas such as the treatment, education and social reintegration of drug users. During the conference, delegates from different places also visited the Hwaseong Vocational Training Institution and the Seoul Dongbu Detention Center, gaining an in-depth understanding about the Korea Correctional Service’s prison administration practices and efforts to facilitate the social reintegration of inmates.

The participation in this year’s APCCA was tremendously beneficial to the Macao delegates as it furthered their understanding of the latest development of correctional administration in the Asia-Pacific, enabled them to learn about the advanced correctional management experiences and reinforced their connection and communication with their counterparts from various countries or regions. 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; Acting Head of our Public Relations and Information Division Wu Man Teng; our Social Assistance, Education and Training Division’s Acting Division Head Mak Kam Sim and Senior Specialist Ip Iok Kuan; as well as Specialist at the Reintegration Unit of the Social Welfare Bureau’s Department of Social Reintegration Kan Pek Kei