ICAC Commissioner Mr Woo Ying-ming, leading his delegation, concluded his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). During which the ICAC co-launched the “Integrity Behind Bars: A Guide on Corruption Risk Management in Prison Systems” (“Prison Guide”) with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi.

In his capacity as ICAC Commissioner and President of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA), Mr Woo co-launched the “Prison Guide” with Ms Monica Juma, Executive Director of the UNODC yesterday (October 1) in Abu Dhabi. Recalling the journey began over a year ago, Mr Woo noted that “Having served as Commissioner of Correctional Services of Hong Kong, my three-decade experience in prison management enlightened me that prisons are the final line of defence of the justice system. A corrupt prison environment not only endangers the safety of law enforcement officers and inmates but also undermines the rehabilitation of prisoners, thus weakening social stability. Therefore, when the UNODC invited the ICAC to lead this project, I relentlessly accepted the challenge, hoping to enhance prison governance worldwide.”

“With full support from the UNODC and the IAACA, various international experts gathered in Hong Kong last November to exchange experiences, bringing forth this guidebook which is grounded in international standards with flexible framework. I hope the “Prison Guide”, which offers comprehensive guidelines covering prison staff recruitment and training, procurement and financial controls, reporting mechanisms, oversights and inspections, prison intelligence and use of technology, will shed light of integrity on every corner behind the bars, enabling prisoners to turn a new page in life,” Mr Woo added.

Mr Woo remarked that the “Prison Guide” also embarked on the maiden voyage of ICAC’s another international mission. Looking forward, the ICAC planned to co-organise training programmes with the UNODC starting next year for prison administrators, anti-corruption agencies and law enforcement bodies worldwide to share the prolonged partnership and robust achievements between the ICAC and the Correctional Services Department.

Executive Director of UNODC Ms Juma also expressed her gratitude to the ICAC and the IAACA for co-producing the “Prison Guide” with the UNODC, which aimed to nip graft in the bud by offering systematic anti-corruption advice. She called upon the UN member states to adopt the recommendations in the guidebook and encouraged greater international cooperation between prison administrations and anti-corruption bodies. The UNODC stood ready to support member states to apply integrity in their judicial systems.

Meanwhile, Dr Kalwan Kwan Ming-tak, Adjunct Associate Professor of the Department of Sociology of the University of Hong Kong, also joined the delegation to share Hong Kong’s successful prison system. ICAC’s Principal Investigator Ms Bonnie Wong Kar-man also expounded on law enforcement experiences against prison corruption.

The meeting drew participation from experts and representatives of international organisations. Apart from commending the guidebook for offering valuable references, participants were also of the view that social development would be benefited from enhanced prison integrity.

During the visit, Mr Woo also held bilateral meeting with the UAE Accountability Authority to exchange graft fighting insights and explore future collaboration. The delegation took the opportunity to call on Mr Zhao Liang, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the UAE to learn local anti-corruption work. Accompanying Mr Woo to attend the UN Crime Congress are Principal Investigators Ms Bonnie Wong Kar-man and Mr Gary Wong Hon-kit, as well as Chief Corruption Prevention Officer Mr Tony Lau Yip-fung and Chief Academy Officer Mr Karson Li Tsz-hin. The delegation will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (October 3).