Fifty years ago, a small but passionate group of correctional health care professionals gathered with a shared belief: that people who are incarcerated deserve quality health care and that those providing it deserve a place to learn, collaborate, and advance their profession.
From that vision grew the National Conference on Correctional Health Care.
As NCCHC celebrates the conference’s 50th anniversary this Fall, we invite you to be part of a milestone that honors where we’ve been—and where we’re headed next.
A Conference That Grew Alongside the Profession
Over the past five decades, correctional health care has changed dramatically.
When the conference began, correctional medicine was still emerging as a recognized specialty. Many facilities lacked consistent health care standards, educational resources were limited, and professionals often worked in isolation.
Year after year, the National Conference became the place where the field came together to share ideas, tackle difficult challenges, and raise expectations for correctional health care. Attendees returned home with new knowledge, practical solutions, and a growing network of colleagues committed to improving care.
As the profession evolved, so did the conference.
New disciplines joined the conversation. Educational tracks expanded. Research presentations, posters, preconference seminars, and specialty programming reflected the increasing complexity of caring for incarcerated populations. Topics once considered emerging—mental health, substance use disorders, suicide prevention, chronic disease management, infectious diseases, quality improvement, trauma-informed care, telehealth, and reentry planning—became central to the educational experience.
Through every change, one thing remained constant: a commitment to improving health care behind the walls.
Fifty Years of Defining Excellence
The history of the conference mirrors the history of correctional health care itself.
For generations of physicians, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, dentists, pharmacists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, custody leaders, administrators, researchers, and educators, this conference has been where careers have grown and innovations have taken root.
It has been where attendees first learned about new clinical practices that later became routine. Where groundbreaking research sparked meaningful discussion. Where lifelong professional relationships began over coffee between sessions. Where experienced leaders mentored newcomers who would go on to become the next generation of experts.
Thousands of professionals have stood at the podium to share lessons learned from their facilities, helping improve care not just for one institution, but across the country.
The ripple effect of those conversations continues to improve correctional health care every day.
A Profession That Never Stops Moving Forward
The challenges facing correctional health care today are different from those of 50 years ago—but they are no less important.
Today’s professionals are navigating increasingly complex medical conditions, behavioral health needs, workforce shortages, evolving legal expectations, technological advances, and the growing importance of continuity of care during reentry.
This year’s conference will address those issues with practical, evidence-based education led by experts from across the country.
Attendees will explore topics including:
- Mental health care and suicide prevention
- Substance use disorders and medications for opioid use disorder
- Infectious disease prevention and treatment
- Chronic disease management
- Clinical innovation and emerging technologies
- Workforce development and leadership
- Legal and ethical issues
- Quality improvement and accreditation
- Reentry planning and continuity of care
Whether you’re looking for new clinical knowledge, operational strategies, or leadership insights, you’ll find education designed to help you make an immediate impact when you return home.
Be Part of the Next Chapter
Every National Conference has added another chapter to the story of correctional health care.
This year, you’ll help write the next one.
Whether you’ve attended for decades or this will be your first experience, there’s never been a more meaningful time to join us. Celebrate 50 years of education, innovation, collaboration, and leadership while helping shape what the next 50 years will bring.
- Come celebrate our history.
- Learn from today’s leaders.
- Connect with colleagues who share your commitment to excellence.
And leave inspired to continue advancing correctional health care for the people and communities we serve.
We can’t wait to celebrate this historic milestone with you.
