Pacific Regional Heads of Prisons Meeting 2005

The 5th Pacific Regional Heads of Prisons Meeting (PRHPM) was hosted for the first time in Australia by the Queensland Department of Corrective Services from June 1-3, 2005, in Brisbane.

More than 50 delegates from 15 nations attended. All Australian and New Zealand corrections jurisdictions were represented, alongside those from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu.

The meeting provided an opportunity for Australia and New Zealand to share developments and exchange information with their Pacific neighbours, while also supporting the development of best practice correctional infrastructure, policy and programs.

The 2005 program included topics such as managing growth in prisoner numbers, prisoners with special needs, training, infrastructure and technology. Tours of Queensland correctional centres and the Brisbane Magistrates Court (opened in November 2004) were also conducted.

AusAID funding assisted Pacific nation delegates to attend.

The post-meeting kit has been collated and is about to be sent to participants. Contents will include the meeting group photo and a CD containing a delegate listing, conference photos and other supporting information as requested by delegates.

The next PRHPM will be hosted by Victoria in May or June 2007.