The first APCCA meeting was held in Hong Kong in 1980, and developed from discussions between the then Director of the Australian Institute of Criminology and the then Commissioner of the Hong Kong Prison Service. Since 1980, the conference has met every year apart from 1990.  From 1980 to 1992, the conference was assisted by the Australian Institute of Criminology and from 1993 to 2002 by Professor David Biles. During 2001-2002, APCCA established a permanent Secretariat and responsibilities have been jointly shared by Hong Kong (China) and Singapore. 

In 2003, Professor Neil Morgan, Professor of Law, University of Western Australia (who had been working with Professor Biles since 1997) was appointed as "Rapporteur" and Ms Irene Morgan, Senior Project Officer, Department of Health of Western Australia (who had assisted at APCCA since 2000) was appointed as "Co-Rapporteur". One of the enduring features of APCCA has been the production of annual Conference Reports, the writing of which is the responsibility of the Rapporteur and the Co-Rapporteur. The reports provide not only a record of the conference but also a thematic review of the matters raised during the Conference Agenda Items and Specialist Workshops.

Between 1980 and 2007, APCCA met in numerous nations across the region:  Australia (four times); Canada; China (twice); Hong Kong (China) (three times); Fiji; India; Indonesia; Japan (twice); Korea (twice); Malaysia (twice); New Zealand, Singapore; Thailand (twice), Tonga and Vietnam. Over this period, the conference has developed several traditions. For example, the conference is strictly by invitation to the Chief Executive Officers of correctional departments in the Asia Pacific region. It has also always been accepted that the host has the right to select those to be invited. Host nations have provided hospitality as well as logistical support and an appropriate venue.

APCCA has adopted a number of symbols that embody its enduring values and traditions. The symbols are a Fijian war club, an Indian brass oil lamp and a flag. Although a Fijian 'war club' may be thought to be associated with aggression and violence, its significance is that it is a sign of peace, harmony and civilisation when it is surrendered to another person. The Indian oil lamp is a symbol of learning and enlightenment.  At the 2005 conference in Korea, APCCA also adopted a flag which had been prepared by the Corrections Bureau of Korea. This is symbolic of the long life and strength of APCCA.

APCCA Management & The Joint Declaration (2002)

An important stage in APCCA's history was the signing of a Joint Declaration by all the jurisdictions who were present at the 2002 conference in Bali, Indonesia. A number of other jurisdictions have signed up subsequently. The Joint Declaration, which followed from the recommendations of a Working Party, sought to place APCCA on a firmer and clearer footing for the future whilst not detracting from its positive established traditions.  Key features of the Joint Declaration include a broad statement of the organisation's goals, the establishment of a Governing Board (in place of the former Advisory Committee), the formalisation of the APCCA fund (including the establishment of a Finance Committee), and provisions governing the roles of the Secretariat and the Rapporteurs. The APCCA Secretariat role has been shared by Hong Kong (China) and Singapore since 2001.