The 41st Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators (APCCA 41) opened in Hanoi on November 13, with the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security being the host.

Major General Nguyen Van Long, Deputy Minister of Public Security attended and delivered a welcome speech.

The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the Embassy, diplomatic agencies, heads of APCCA member delegations and invited countries, representatives of international organizations, Ms. Irene Morgan and Professor Neil Morgan - conference coordinators.

The Vietnamese delegation included Mr. Do Duc Hong Ha, Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly's Judicial Committee and Lieutenant General Le Minh Hung, Director of the Police Department of Management of Prisons, Compulsory Re-education Centers and Reformatories, Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam, Chairman of the APCCA 41.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Public Security Nguyen Van Long highlighted APCCA’s significant contributions to enhancing international cooperation in prison management and corrections. Such information and experience exchanges between APCCA members are important for countries and territories to raise the efficiency of correctional practices, he continued.

Long briefed the participants on Vietnam’s correctional landscape, which follows the Constitution and law, and its specific policies on education, vocational training and health care for inmates, along with those on amnesty and rehabilitation.

He noted his hope that the participants will raise feasible solutions to improve the efficiency and quality of correctional administration, helping prisoners soon return to normal life and contributing to preventing and reducing crimes, thus creating a healthy environment for the development in each nation and the entire region.

The conference will touch upon challenges to the prison service in Vietnam and solutions to them; safe environment and health care for prisoners with mental and behavior disorders, and those with drug-related problems, and disabilities; how to minimize recidivism through rehabilitation programs; cooperation with private partners and organizations in corrections; and improving material facilities and technologies to serve the work.

The annual event provides a platform for agencies responsible for prison and correctional administration within Asia-Pacific to meet, exchange ideas, and share practices in corrections.

This year’s event, to last until November 16 in Hanoi and Quang Ninh, brings together more than 200 delegates from 25 countries, three international organizations, and 18 diplomatic agencies. This is the second time the Vietnamese ministry has hosted the rotary event.

The conference agenda includes 6 meetings, 5 thematic sessions and side activities along with visits to a number of places and landscapes in Hanoi and Quang Ninh.

First held in 1980, APCCA now gathers 34 member agencies from 25 countries.

Doan Bong