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Past Events

Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of contributing to leading colloquia around the globe, engaging with diverse experts on pressing topics in our field. Here are some of the standout events

IPPF Celebrates 150 year old roots, Geneva 2022

IPPF celebrated 150 years since the establishment of the International Penitentiary Commission (IPC), to which organisation IPPF can trace its roots, on September 8 and 9 2022 in Geneva. Switzerland is the official home and ‘seat’ of IPPF.

The theme for the event was: 150 year IPPF Anniversary Celebration: Its contributions to the criminal justice and prison systems, past present and future. 

Mary Rogan, Secretary General of the IPPF, at the time President of the IPPF

Members, invited speakers and distinguished guests joined together to celebrate the contributions IPPF has made over its long history to criminal justice and penal systems, and looked forward to its future development. IPPF was very grateful for the support of the Swiss Centre of Expertise in Prison and Probation to organise the event.

The anniversary event provided an opportunity for leaders in criminal justice and penal and penitentiary policy to discuss the future priorities and directions in our field over the next five to ten years. This fruitful discussion allowed for knowledge exchange and mutual learning between IPPF and peer organisations.

It also provided an opportunity for IPPF to learn about the main priorities for international organisations in order to shape IPPF’s strategic plan and its contribution to international and national debates in the next ten years. 

Annie Devos, Vice Chair, Council for Penological Co-operation (PC-CP), Council of Europe
Olivia Rope, Executive Director, Penal Reform International (PRI)

Speakers and panellists addressed the following theme : The key issues and priorities in criminal justice and the penal system in international perspective. 

Honorable Commissioner Maria Teresa Manuela, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Other Colloquia

2025 Akishima, Japan

Reducing Re-offending – in particular promoting the implementation of the United
Nations Model Strategies on Reducing Re-offending.

2019 Santiago/Valparaíso, Chile

Legality, non-arbitrariness and administrative and judicial discretion in sentencing and
enforcement of sentences.

2017 Azores, Portugal

Defendants and detainees with psychiatric disturbances in the criminal process and in the prison system.

2016 Helsinki, Finland

Overuse in the criminal justice system: on criminalization, prosecution and imprisonment.


2014 Bangkok, Thailand

Women in Prison.

2013 Wellington, New Zealand

Measures to deal with high risk offenders during and after their sentence.


2011 Dublin, Ireland

Rehabilitation of Prisoners – its value.


2010 Stellenbosch, South Africa

Pre-trial detention.

2009 Liège, Belgium

The influence of scientific NGOS on National and International crime policy.


2008 Stavern, Norway

Prison policy and prisoners’ rights.

2007 Popowo, Poland

Minorities and cultural diversity in Prison.


2006 Budapest, Hungary

The implementation of prison sentences and aspects of security.

2004 Manaus, Brazil

The Impact of Criminal Networks and Organizations in Democratie Societies.

2003 Cidade da Praia, Cape Verde

The relationship between public security in the state of law and the challenges posed by the society of risk.

2002 Istanbul, Turkey

Practical Problems and New Perspectives in the Penitentiary Field.

1998 Fuchu-Tokyo, Japan

Some essential issues in Contemporary Correctional Policy.

1996 Berlin, Germany

Legal Aspects of Crime Prevention.

1994 Macao, China

Pre-trial detention and fundamental rights.

1992 Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Human Rights and Penal Detention.

1988 Groningen, The Netherlands


Standard minimum rules for the implementation of non-custodial sanctions and measures involving restriction of liberty.

1987 Poitiers, France


The Elaboration of Standard Minimum Rules for Non-Institutional Treatment.

1986 Coimbra, Portugal

Community Service as an alternative to the prison sentence.


1983 Kristiansand, Norway

The sanctions in the field of economic criminal law.


1982 Syracuse, Italy

New trends in criminal policy.


1979 Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Criminal Record and Rehabilitation.


1977 Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Penal and penitentiary aspects of road traffic.


1972 Vienna, Austria

Deviance and social reaction.


1967 Ulm, Sweden

New methods of restriction of liberty in the penitentiary system.

1962 Brussels, Belgium

New psychological methods for the treatment of prisoners.