The 2nd ASEAN Regional Correctional Conference (ARCC) formally commenced today, 15 February 2025, at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Sabang, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Hosted by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), this event marks the first international correctional conference held in the Philippines.
With the theme “Weaving the ASEAN Regional Corrections Identity: Co-creating a Shared Vision of Transformation,” the ARCC convenes correctional leaders from Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Timor-Leste, and the Philippines. International organizations and prison experts are also participating in discussions on advancing correctional management.
The ARCC aims to address key challenges such as prison overcrowding, rehabilitation, reintegration, and security. It strengthens cooperation through joint training programs, knowledge exchange, and partnerships among ASEAN Member States. The conference also provides a platform for engagement with global stakeholders, including the United Kingdom’s HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Reshape Justice Group, and the European Union’s Justice Sector Reform Programme: Governance in Justice (EU-GOJUST) is participating in discussions on prison reform strategies.
The inaugural ARCC was successfully held in Langkawi, Malaysia, in January 2024, spearheaded by the Malaysian Prison Department (MPD). This event laid the foundation for a unified ASEAN approach to correctional reform.
As correctional management continues to face complex challenges, regional cooperation remains essential for sustainable solutions. The ARCC serves as a platform for Southeast Asian correctional leaders to collectively address these issues, align on rehabilitation and reintegration strategies, and exchange successful models for prison management. The conference is expected to conclude with resolutions and actionable plans that will shape the future of correctional reforms across the ASEAN region.
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