The first APCCA meeting was held in Hong Kong in 1980 and developed from discussions between then-Director of the Australian Institute of Criminology and then-Commissioner of the Hong Kong Prisons Department. Since 1980, the conference has met every year apart from 1990, 2020 and 2021.

During 2001 and 2002, APCCA established a new framework for its operations with the drafting of the APCCA Joint Declaration. Following recommendations of a Working Party, the Joint Declaration was signed at the 2002 conference in Indonesia. It sought to place APCCA on a firmer and clearer footing for the future while not detracting from its positive and well-established traditions.

 During 2001 and 2002, APCCA established a new framework for its   operations with the drafting of the APCCA Joint Declaration.   Following recommendations of a Working Party, the Joint   Declaration  was signed at the 2002 conference in Indonesia. It   sought to place APCCA on a firmer and clearer footing for the future   while not detracting from its positive and well-established traditions

 During 2001 and 2002, APCCA established a new framework for its   operations with the drafting of the APCCA Joint Declaration.   Following recommendations of a Working Party, the Joint   Declaration was signed at the 2002 conference in Indonesia. It   sought to place APCCA on a firmer and clearer footing for the future   while not detracting from its positive and well-established traditions

During 2001 and 2002, APCCA established a new framework for its operations with the drafting of the APCCA Joint Declaration. Following recommendations of a Working Party, the Joint Declaration was signed at the 2002 conference in Indonesia. It sought to place APCCA on a firmer and clearer footing for the future while not detracting from its positive and well-established traditions