THE Bureau of Corrections will host the second Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Correctional Conference (ARCC) in Puerto Princesa, Palawan next month.
Co-hosting the event is the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
With the theme “Shaping the Future of Corrections Together,” the conference on February 14 to 17 aims to bring together the heads of ASEAN prison services to discuss common challenges and share the best practices of the 10 participating countries, namely, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Timor Leste, and the Philippines.
Bucor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said hosting the event could not have come at a more opportune time for the agency, especially as it is in the midst of revitalizing the country’s corrections system to ensure the well-being of inmates under its supervision.
“The ARCC provides a valuable venue to address the emerging challenges of prison overcrowding and lack of resources faced by participating countries and to learn from one another while discussing efforts and solutions for the enhancement of quality correctional services,” Catapang said
He added the event would also serve as a platform to introduce innovations and new technologies to enhance correctional administrations.
At least 28 international organizations have been invited to take part in the conference, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, the European Union – Justice Sector Reform Program: Governance in Justice, and the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program.