Archive /
Third Annual International Corrections Conference held in Singapore
United Nations Corrections experts from peacekeeping operations and United Nations Headquarters gathered in Singapore during the week of 11 – 16 September for the third Annual United Nations Corrections Conference, coinciding with the 13th Annual Conference of the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA).
Over the last decade the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) has enhanced its focus on prison systems in post-conflict settings. Today almost 300 Correction Officers, mostly seconded by United Nations Member States, are operational in 10 UN peacekeeping missions in different regions. The DPKO Corrections Team is an initiative of the Criminal Law and Judicial Advisory Service (CLJAS) in the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions.
At the conference, United Nations representatives strengthened partnerships with Corrections services from Member States and met with heads of national prison services where peacekeeping operations are deployed. Attendees discussed peacekeeping training, post-conflict rehabilitation, and prison models and explored various types of expertise needed by UN missions in post-conflict environments. Representatives from Afghanistan and Sudan also shared their experiences.
Audience members considered a Group of Friends of Corrections consisting of Member states and other supporters, first proposed in 2009. Sweden led the establishment of this group and together with the CLJAS drafted its Terms of Reference, which were endorsed by members at the conference.