Head of Corrections signed the Declaration of Agreement and Support for the Establishment of the Melanesian Heads of Corrections Conference (MHCC)
CSSI Supports Proposal for the Establishment of a Melanesian Heads of Corrections Conference.
HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS, 14 SEPTEMBER 2026. The Correctional Service Solomon Islands (CSSI) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional correctional cooperation by joining correctional leaders from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu in signing a Declaration of Support for the Establishment of the Melanesian Heads of Corrections Conference (MHCC) during the Pacific Dialogue on Transnational Organized Crime and Corrections held in Suva, Fiji, on10 – 11 September 2026. The declaration signals a shared commitment to enhancing cooperation and advancing correctional excellence across Melanesia.
The proposed MHCC aims to provide a dedicated regional platform for Heads and Commissioners of Corrections to collaborate on matters of strategic and operational importance to correctional services. The initiative recognizes the common challenges faced by correctional administrations across Melanesia, including ageing infrastructure, staff development, rehabilitation and reintegration, correctional intelligence and security, and the growing impact of transnational organized crime.
Through the proposed Conference, member correctional services will seek to strengthen professional cooperation, share knowledge and best practices, promote staff development and leadership opportunities, and enhance regional responses to emerging correctional challenges. The initiative also seeks to support safe, secure, humane, and rehabilitative correctional practices consistent with national legislation and international standards.
The Declaration of Support signed by the four Melanesian correctional services represents an important milestone in advancing the proposal towards formal establishment. Under the proposed arrangements, the Fiji Corrections Service will serve as the Interim Secretariat, coordinating the necessary administrative and policy processes.
CSSI recognizes that stronger regional partnerships are essential to addressing contemporary correctional issues and fostering innovation across correctional systems. The proposed MHCC will provide opportunities for technical assistance, training, mentoring, staff exchanges, and enhanced collaboration on correctional intelligence and security matters of mutual interest.
The declaration further acknowledges the importance of developing a collective Melanesian voice on correctional matters and strengthening the contribution of correctional services to broader regional objectives relating to justice, security, governance, rehabilitation, and the rule of law.
As a signatory to the declaration, CSSI looks forward to continuing discussions with its Melanesian counterparts and supporting the formal processes required for the establishment of the proposed MHCC. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, improving correctional practice, building institutional capacity, and contributing to safer and more secure communities throughout Melanesia.
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CSSI Press
Official group photo after the signing of the agreement, (L-R). Director of Vanuatu Correctional Service Mr. Johnny Jimmy Marango, Acting Commissioner of Fiji Correction Service Mr Auta Moceisuva, Correctional Service Solomon Islands Staff Officer to Commissioner Mr Thompson Pada and Papua New Guinea Correctional Service Assistant Commissioner Mr Jerico Charah.