Discussion Guide for 23^rd APCCA

 
Professor David Biles has informed the APCCA Newsletter that the Discussion Guide for the 23rd APCCA in Hong Kong has now been prepared and will be distributed to delegates with the official invitations to the conference.

 
Professor Biles pointed out that the three substantive agenda items, which follow the first item dealing with contemporary issues in corrections, are all connected with each other. These items focus on prisoners' complaints and grievances, prison officer culture and major prison disturbances.

 
Even though these three items seem quite different they are closely linked, he said, as a negative or undesirable prison officer culture may lead to higher numbers of complaints by prisoners, and prisoners who feel aggrieved are more likely to be involved in riots or other disturbances than those who are not.

 
Also, one of the ways to reduce the incidence of major prison disturbances is to remove the causes which, even though sometimes complex, have their origins in the frustrations and grievances experienced by prisoners. Furthermore, a progressive or positive prison officer culture will give high priority to responding to prisoners' complaints and grievances in a professional manner and therefore contribute to the effective management of prisons.