Events

Correctional Research Symposium (2023)

Introduction

Corrections is not only about the time spent in prison. Since most of the people that we incarcerate are released and returned back to their communities at some point, a significant task of criminal justice agencies is also to focus on this eventual ‘return’. From both a decency and a public safety perspective, it is pivotal that prisons and probation do all they can to assist in reintegration. But what constitutes good or effective reintegration? What does a ‘successful’ transition from custody to the community look and feel like? What can we learn from research and practice in this regard? For this symposium, we welcome both evidence-based and practice-informed discussions of how meaningful re/integration can be achieved.

EuroPris and ICPA in collaboration with the Portuguese Reintegration and Prison Service (DGRSP) will organise on 27-30 March 2023 in Porto, Portugal the 3rd international Correctional Research Symposium (CRS) on the theme:

Rehabilitating Reintegration: Research and Reflections on What Works

This third Correctional Research Symposium aims to elaborate on questions related to:

What kind of reintegration approaches show a positive impact in terms of desistance, increasing human and social capital, public safety, or restoration?
In what ways can prisons better initiate or facilitate re-entry? What can be learned from the challenges and successes of through-the-gate initiatives?
What is a successful implementation? How can it be measured and presented to guide decision-makers?

The Symposium would like to address these questions and more through panel sessions with researchers and practitioners and through plenary presentations and workshops. Please click here to see the full outline of themes and questions for presentations during the Symposium.

Participants

Professionals from the following areas will find the International Correctional Research Symposium of interest:

Academics & Researchers
Prison & Probation professionals
Prison-Community Directors / Governors / Director Generals / Higher Management
Social and Community Justice Service professionals

Agenda

Monday 27th March (optional)

For those who would like to travel to Porto earlier, the General Directorate of Reintegration and Prisons (DGRSP) will be organising a half-day pre-conference training session (1400-1700hrs) at the University Campus in Porto.

Limited to 20 persons per topic

• Topic 1: New approaches on the rehabilitation of offenders
• Topic 2: Digital transition in Justice
• Topic 3: Restorative Justice in post-sentential context

Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th March

The full programme is currently in development, but here are a few highlights:

Keynote Presentation: Bridging the Void – Supporting Reintegration

Fergus McNeill, Professor of Criminology and Social Work, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom

Panel Discussion: International Perspectives on Key Challenges for Rehabilitating Reintegration

Brian Lovins, Principal for Justice System Partners, USA
Yong Lee Shie, Commissioner, Singapore Prison Service
Rui A. Gonçalves, Director General, General Directorate of Reintegration and Prisons, Portugal

What Works vs. What’s Right in Rehabilitating Reintegration

Sonja Snacken, Professor of Criminology, Penology and Sociology of Law in the Department of Criminology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
Gerry McNally, Assistant Director, The Probation Service, Ireland
Jana Špero, Secretary General, Confederation of European Probation, Croatia

Mental Health and Reoffending: Latest Evidence on Assessment and Treatment

Seena Fazel, Professor of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Oxford, UK

Lived Experience Perspectives on Rehabilitating Reintegration

Speakers TBA

On the Tuesday evening we will also be running a Social Programme (dinner on a boat) courtesy of our hosts DGRSP. This is optional and can be selected during your registration for the event.

Thursday 30th March (optional) – ends approx. 13:00 CET

For those wishing to stay longer in Porto our hosts will be organising visits to custodial establishments including a mental health institution and/or probation centre.

A limited number of participants can also opt-in to take part in facility visits which will include:

A female prison with a management partnership between the Ministry of Justice and a welfare institution
A male prison with a special unit for Mental Disorder prisoners.

Registration

Registration fees are set at the special rate of 255 EUR for delegates from Public Sector, Government, NGO/Non-Profit and academic institutions (380 EUR for all other participants).

If you want to see the full programme and register for this unique event please click here.

Venue

Holiday Inn Porto Gaia

Rua Diogo Macedo, 220, Vila Nova de Gaia, 4400-107 Portugal

Accommodation

CRS2023 will take place in the Hotel Holiday Inn Porto Gaia which is also the venue for this symposium. All registrants can benefit from the special accommodation rates by booking before 27th January 2023.

More information & Booking: Correctional Research Symposium 2023 (icpa.org)