The Correctional Services Department (CSD) has been proactive in participating in international conferences and functions such as the Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators (APCCA) and the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) Conference to maintain close communication with correctional agencies from different countries and regions, with a view to promoting international collaboration, exchanging experience and sharing best practices. Meanwhile, the CSD is one of the founding members of APCCA and was the organiser of the first APCCA meeting in 1980. Since 2001, the CSD has been responsible for the running of the secretariat of APCCA jointly with the Singapore Prison Service.

Besides, in order to strengthen the connection and communication with Mainland correctional agencies, the CSD and the Guangdong Prison Administrative Bureau co-organised the first “Guangdong-Hong Kong Prison Forum” in Guangzhou in 2004. Later, to further facilitate exchanges among the prison and correctional services departments in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao for better business development of the three parties, the CSD, the Guangdong Prison Administrative Bureau and the Macao Correctional Services Bureau agreed after deliberation to rename the prison forum as the “Guangdong Hongkong Macao Prison and Correctional Services Conference” in 2017, which is held in turn by the prison and correctional services departments in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao every two years.

These international conferences and forums provide our staff with platforms for the exchange of professional knowledge so that they can learn from their counterparts, thereby raising the professional standard of correctional work.

Moreover, the CSD has been proactive in maintaining close liaison with Mainland judicial and correctional agencies. Since 2003, the CSD has signed co-operation agreements with The National Police University for Criminal Justice, the Macao Correctional Services Bureau and the Guangdong Prison Administrative Bureau to strengthen co-operation, promote exchanges and facilitate mutual development.