Some of the world’s leading criminologists and practitioners are to meet in Sydney in September to share their knowledge on how best to manage offenders out of prison on parole or probation.
The Fourth World Congress on Probation will focus on evidence-based strategies and practice in managing offenders in the community, including some new, targeted interventions for sex- and terror-based offenders.
Acting Commissioner for Corrective Services NSW, Luke Grant (pictured) said the event was expected to attract policymakers, practitioners and researchers from Australia and across the globe.
“The theme of the conference is to showcase strategies from around the world in aiding offender reintegration, and to build public confidence in the way we safely manage offenders outside the prison walls,” Mr Grant said.
“We’re inviting participants from all fields, including justice, academia, policy, law, police, social welfare and victims’ groups, to attend and share their insight into this challenging goal.”
He said keynote speakers would include the former Chief Executive of the British Prison and Probation Service, Michael Spurr; Scottish criminologist and leading researcher, Fergus McNeill; and award-winning United States criminologist, Faye Taxman.
He said the World Congress on Probation, held every two years, was one of the world’s largest forums of its kind and aimed to promote and develop probation and community corrections through workshops, keynote speakers and the sharing of practical and academic knowledge.
It was first held in London in 2013 and had since been hosted by Los Angeles and Tokyo respectively.
