Carrie Reindollar, BSBA, LPN, CCHP-N, Promoted to Manager, Accreditation

Carrie Reindollar has been promoted to manager, accreditation, where she will take on an expanded leadership role supporting accreditation programs and survey team operations.

Reindollar brings extensive experience and a deep understanding of the accreditation process. Over the years, she has worked closely with facilities navigating accreditation requirements, helping them translate standards into practical, achievable improvements in care. Her work has also supported survey teams in the field, ensuring that accreditation reviews are both rigorous and constructive.

In this new role, Reindollar will help guide accreditation operations and support the continued growth of NCCHC’s accreditation programs.

Liz Catalano, BSW, Promoted to Pre-Survey Manager

Liz Catalano has been promoted to pre-survey manager, where she will oversee key pre-survey processes, including applications and scheduling.

The pre-survey phase is a critical part of the accreditation journey. It is often the first point of contact for facilities preparing for a survey and sets the stage for a smooth and well-organized review process. Catalano’s work helps ensure facilities receive clear guidance and timely support as they move through the preparation phase.

Her leadership will help strengthen coordination across the early stages of the accreditation process and support facilities as they work toward meeting NCCHC standards.

Supporting a Growing Accreditation Program

These promotions come at a time when interest in NCCHC accreditation continues to grow. Over the past decade, the number of correctional facilities participating in the accreditation program has increased by 17%, reflecting the field’s growing recognition of the role accreditation plays in improving health care quality and reducing risk.

Research continues to reinforce that impact. A study conducted by Harvard researchers found that NCCHC accreditation is associated with an 86% reduction in mortality, an 11% improvement in the quality of patient care and treatment, and a 54% reduction in recidivism. As correctional health care continues to evolve, the leadership of professionals like Reindollar and Catalano — alongside the dedication of the broader accreditation team — helps ensure that NCCHC remains a trusted partner for facilities working to deliver safe, effective, and standards-driven care.

Hear firsthand how these programs improved safety, strengthened patient-centered care, and fostered meaningful collaboration between custody and health services.

• Learn practical, replicable strategies you can implement at your facility
• Explore real-world lessons learned — including barriers and solutions
• Gain tools to improve safety, reduce risk, and enhance outcomes
• Engage directly with program leaders during dedicated Q&A

Whether you serve in health care, custody, or administration, you’ll leave with actionable ideas to elevate care and operations in your organization.

Featured Programs

El Paso County Jail – TRUST (Therapeutic Response Unit and Stabilization Team)

Launched in 2022, the TRUST program pairs mental health professionals with custody staff to proactively support high-risk individuals and safely deescalate crises. Responding to nearly 800 calls with a 75% success rate, the program has reduced use-of-force incidents by 30%. Learn how trauma-informed, clinician-led interventions can improve safety, reduce risk, and strengthen cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Okaloosa County Department of Corrections – Baby and Me Program

The Baby and Me program creates a supportive, structured environment for pregnant women, emphasizing safe pregnancy, healthy delivery, bonding, and reentry planning. Participants receive enhanced medical care, education, and community-based support — improving maternal health, strengthening parent-child connections, and supporting successful transition back to the community. Discover how coordinated custody-health partnerships can improve outcomes for both mothers and infants.

To help strengthen and sustain the field, the NCCHC Foundation is proud to introduce the National Workforce Development Hub—a new nationwide initiative designed to connect experienced professionals with opportunities to support and guide the next generation of leaders in correctional health care.

Developed by the Foundation’s Workforce Development Committee and made possible through the generous partnership of CFG Health, the Hub creates a national network of professionals who want to give back by sharing their knowledge, experience, and leadership.

A National Network for Workforce Development

At its core, the National Workforce Development Hub provides a structured way for correctional health professionals to contribute to the growth of the field. By bringing together volunteers from across the country, the initiative helps strengthen professional pathways and expand access to mentorship, guidance, and career development.

The Hub’s first major program is the Virtual Preceptorship Program, a free, searchable national directory of volunteer preceptors. Through this program, experienced professionals can connect with students and early-career professionals seeking insight and real-world experience in correctional health care.

While the Virtual Preceptorship Program serves as the central component of the initiative, the Workforce Development Hub also offers several additional ways to contribute.

Opportunities to Get Involved

Professionals who join the Hub can volunteer in a variety of roles, including:

• Scholarship Reviewers
  Help evaluate scholarship applications and support the Foundation’s efforts to invest in future correctional health leaders.
• Preceptors
  Share real-world expertise with students and professionals who are exploring or entering the field of correctional health care.
• Mentors
  Support NCCHC Foundation scholarship recipients by providing a welcoming presence at conferences, offering professional encouragement, and sharing career guidance.
• Committee Members
  Contribute leadership and expertise to guide the Foundation’s workforce development programs and initiatives.

Join the Effort

The success of the National Workforce Development Hub depends on the dedication and experience of professionals who are willing to share what they have learned. By completing a volunteer profile and indicating areas of interest, individuals can become part of a growing national effort to strengthen the correctional health care workforce. Together, the NCCHC Foundation, the Workforce Development Committee, volunteer leaders across the country, and our partner CFG Health are helping build a stronger, better-prepared workforce—one connection at a time.

Volunteer or find your virtual preceptor at https://workforcedevelopment.ncchcfoundation.org/directory.

• The survey is open to all federal, state, local, and tribal correctional facility employees who have not been in prison or jail (not just those who are assigned to work in food preparation).
• Data collection is anonymous. The survey does not ask for names, employers, or contact information, so the answers cannot be tied back to an individual or a facility.
• Participation in this survey is completely voluntary and should take less than 30 minutes to complete.
• Each participant should complete the survey once and more than one person in a facility can take the survey.
• Participants can respond regardless of participation in the 2024 survey.
• Please distribute this survey to correctional workers within your organization and encourage their participation. This information will greatly improve the food safety tools and resources CDC develop for correctional workers.
• Please complete the survey before May 5, 2026.

Each scholarship recipient will receive:

• Conference registration
• Lodging for up to three nights
• Air travel expenses up to $500
• A mentorship opportunity with an experienced correctional health care professional

To qualify, applicants must:

• Demonstrate a clear interest in correctional mental health care
• Have two years or less of experience in the field
• Have never attended an in-person NCCHC conference

Important Dates
Application deadline: Midnight (CDT) on April 5, 2026
Notification: Winners will be announced by May 20

Why Apply?
This is more than just a conference—it’s a chance to take the next big step in your career while connecting with like-minded professionals who share your passion for improving correctional health care.

Ready to Apply?
Take advantage of this opportunity to make an impact. Apply today and learn how the NCCHC Foundation scholarship program can elevate your career.

Spread the Word
Know someone who might be interested? Please share this opportunity with students and early-career professionals. We look forward to welcoming the next wave of rising stars to Austin in July!

Note: Scholarships are only available for individuals residing in the U.S. and Canada.

Want to see the impact this scholarship can make? Watch the 2026 National Conference video (below) to get inspired by the stories and successes of past scholarship recipients.

From much-anticipated revisions to the Standards and record-breaking numbers of Certified Correctional Health Professionals, to new initiatives through the NCCHC Foundation and NCCHC Resources, Inc.’s world-class consulting services, NCCHC continues to build bridges, drive progress, and elevate the quality of health care in jails, prisons, and juvenile detention facilities around the country.

Enjoy the 2025 annual report.

Live jazz. Open bar. Dancing. Dessert tower. One big reason to celebrate.

We’re taking over the entire venue for a high-energy New Orleans–style evening with three hours of open bar, craft cocktails, abundant chef-curated buffet stations, and passed local favorites. The soundtrack? Nonstop live jazz echoing through every space — from the courtyard to the balcony to the dance floor. And for dessert: a fresh Beignet Tower, fried on-site — because no Big Easy celebration is complete without warm sugar-dusted perfection.

Between the music and mingling, we’ll gather briefly for a short program and mini auction supporting the NCCHC Foundation’s mission to strengthen the correctional health care workforce nationwide.

It’s not just a party — it’s a joyful, jazz-filled gathering of changemakers.

Complimentary shuttle buses will run between the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel and Rosy’s Jazz Hall, making it easy to arrive, celebrate, and return with ease.

Let’s fill Rosy’s with music, celebration, and support for the future of the Foundation and correctional health care.

$75 per person. Registration required by April 10.

Sponsored by Physician Correctional USA.

Designed for frontline staff, supervisors, administrators, and clinicians, this focused virtual program delivers national expertise, real-world strategies, and collaborative solutions—right to your screen. Focus on practices that save lives:

• Wellness and resilience—because safer outcomes depend on healthy staff
• A workforce trained to recognize and respond to danger early
• Leadership that sets expectations, reinforces accountability, and builds a culture of safety
• Systems that support coordinated action between medical, mental health, and custody teams
• Tools and technology that help staff intervene faster and more effectively
• Data and oversight that guide continuous improvement and reduce liability

Earn up to 14 hours of CE for medical, nursing, and mental health on your schedule, from your home or office.

Awareness of Correctional Health Care as a Field
Many professionals enter health care without realizing that correctional settings offer unique opportunities to serve some of the most medically underserved patients in the country. By raising awareness of correctional health care as a fulfilling, mission-driven career path, we help strengthen a workforce that is essential to patient care, system equity, and community health. The more people who understand what this field truly is—a place of purpose, innovation, and impact—the stronger tomorrow’s workforce becomes.

Awareness of World Cancer Day (February 4)
World Cancer Day reminded us that cancer disparities remain significant, and individuals in custody often face delayed diagnoses, limited screening access, and complex health histories. Raising awareness of cancer prevention and early detection matters—because equitable care must include access to lifesaving screenings behind the walls. When our workforce is equipped with knowledge and vigilance, we play a crucial role in improving outcomes for justice-involved patients.

Awareness of National Donor Day (February 14)
National Donor Day highlights the life-changing power of organ, eye, tissue, marrow, blood, and platelet donation. For many incarcerated individuals, chronic conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease, and heart disease make organ donation education and awareness especially relevant. Recognizing this day helps us continue the conversation around health literacy, informed decision-making, and patient empowerment.

Awareness of the Foundation’s Spring Conference Fundraiser (April 20)
Awareness also means recognizing opportunities to come together as a community and invest in the future of our field. On Monday, April 20 from 6-9 PM, the Foundation will host Big Easy Jazz Night at Rosy’s Jazz Hall in New Orleans—an evening designed to celebrate connection, purpose, and impact. Guests will enjoy three lively hours of high-energy jazz, cocktails and passed appetizers, a chef-curated dinner buffet, dancing, and signature New Orleans desserts including a Beignet Tower and French macarons. At $75 per ticket, every dollar raised supports the Foundation’s mission to provide scholarships and strengthen the correctional health care workforce.

Across all these observances, one theme is clear: Awareness is a catalyst. It guides our practice, strengthens our workforce, and deepens our commitment to delivering compassionate, evidence-based care where it is needed most.

When we broaden what we see, we elevate what we do. Awareness truly shapes tomorrow, today.

NCCHC is pleased to work cooperatively with NSA on these critical issues. NSA has a representative on NCCHC’s Board of Representatives, reflecting an ongoing partnership between correctional leaders and health professionals committed to constitutionally acceptable care in jails and prisons.

Addressing urgent and complex needs

Each year, more than 1.7 million women pass through U.S. jails, many with time-sensitive health needs that include pregnancy and postpartum care, mental health treatment, substance use disorder treatment, and access to basic necessities such as menstrual products. An estimated 55,000 pregnant women are admitted to U.S. jails annually, and some will experience labor, miscarriage, abortion, or other pregnancy outcomes while in custody.

The NSA resolution recognizes that pregnant and postpartum women in jail face elevated medical and psychosocial risks—and that most maternal deaths are preventable with timely, appropriate care. Untreated mental health conditions and drug overdose remain leading causes of maternal mortality, underscoring the importance of access to qualified prenatal care, emergency referral, and evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder.

Alignment with NCCHC Standards

The resolution explicitly supports providing comprehensive women’s health services in jails, regardless of size or location, and calls for care aligned with recommendations from NCCHC and other national authorities. These priorities are consistent with NCCHC Standards for Health Services, which address pregnancy care, mental health treatment, substance use disorder services, emergency response, and continuity of care.

The resolution also highlights the importance of:

• Continuation and initiation of medication-assisted treatment (MAT/MOUD) during pregnancy and postpartum
• Access to breastfeeding support when clinically appropriate
• Family-friendly visitation to help preserve bonds between mothers and children
• Training frontline staff to recognize urgent maternal warning signs
• Collaboration with public health agencies to improve data collection on maternal outcomes in jails

Collaboration across systems

In addition to supporting clinical care, the NSA resolution emphasizes collaboration—among jails, public health agencies, health care providers, and community organizations—to improve outcomes for incarcerated women and their families. It also recognizes the needs of pregnant correctional staff, including accommodations for pregnancy-related emergencies and lactation.

NCCHC welcomes this resolution as a meaningful step toward strengthening systems of care in jails and reinforcing the shared commitment of sheriffs, health professionals, and policymakers to evidence-based practices that protect life, reduce preventable harm, and support healthier communities.

In recent years, telehealth has moved from a rare convenience to an essential component of health systems. In correctional settings, that shift has been even more consequential. People who are incarcerated face barriers to timely, high-quality care, especially in rural areas or when in need of specialty services. Facilities also contend with chronic staffing shortages, security constraints, and the real costs – human and financial – of transporting patients to outside appointments.

A new NCCHC position statement, Telehealth in Correctional Facilities, responds to these realities with a clear message: telehealth can meaningfully enhance access and quality, when it is used appropriately and implemented with strong ethical safeguards. The position statement calls for telehealth that bolsters equity in care access and quality, while protecting patient autonomy and confidentiality, delivered by qualified health care professionals with appropriate training and legal eligibility to practice.

In other words: telehealth should serve to expand access, while prioritizing training, quality, clinical judgment, and patient rights.

Telehealth offers correctional health systems practical solutions to persistent obstacles. By reducing the need for off-site transportation, telehealth can speed up diagnosis and treatment, reduce duplicated services, and cut overhead costs, while also bringing specialty expertise into facilities and regions that may have limited clinician-to-patient ratios. Telehealth can enhance safety by limiting external transports and reducing patient, staff, and public safety risks associated with moving patients outside the facility.

It can also reduce harms tied to transport practices such as the physical and psychological risks of restraints, which can be especially distressing for patients with mental health needs. And for chronic illness care, telehealth can support more consistent and responsive monitoring and follow-up for conditions prevalent in incarcerated populations.

This position statement was developed to present the benefits, challenges, and risks of telehealth. In addition to the aforementioned benefits, implementation can be complicated by licensure requirements across jurisdictions, technology and connectivity limitations, and the difficulty of ensuring privacy and confidentiality in carceral environments. The statement also warns against inappropriate or overextended use – when cost-containment pressures or staffing constraints can push telehealth into situations where in-person evaluation is necessary.

Key Points and Recommendations
The position statement consolidates evidence-informed guidance into actionable implementation priorities, including:

• Developing clear, written telehealth policies
• Engaging stakeholders
• Building a strong quality assurance program
• Training providers and ensure credentialing
• Advocating and investing in research

NCCHC also elevates core ethical requirements: for vulnerable correctional health care patients, telehealth must be voluntary, grounded in informed consent, and include privacy protections equivalent to in-person care, with attention to equitable access. Care delivered via telehealth must meet the same standards as in-person encounters, including timely in-person evaluation for urgent or emergent conditions.

Telehealth is a powerful tool, but in correctional settings, attention to the guardrails that protect patient choice, privacy, and clinical quality is vital. NCCHC’s new position statement offers a practical framework for programs that want telehealth to improve access, safety, and continuity.

Our hope is that correctional health leaders, clinicians, and policymakers will review the position statement on telehealth and use it to strengthen policies, training, quality monitoring, and ethical practice, so telehealth can expand care for the people who need it most.

See all the NCCHC position statements here.

Stephanie Gangemi, PhD, LCSW, CCHP, is assistant professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs and a member of NCCHC’s Policy and Research Committee.

Throughout more than three decades in public health leadership — most notably with the Kent County (MI) Health Department — Dr. Mack worked tirelessly to make communities safer, healthier, and more equitable. He also served as chief medical examiner and earned deep respect across the field. In recognition of his impact, the Kent County Medical Society established the Douglas A. Mack Award, honoring excellence in public health leadership, program evaluation, and community impact.

Dr. Mack’s dedication to correctional health care and public health integration was visionary. He understood that the health of incarcerated populations is inseparable from the health of the broader community. His influence extended nationally through his longstanding service with NCCHC, where he served on the Board of Directors for nearly 30 years. He uniquely represented three national organizations in sequence — the National Association of Counties, the National Association of County and City Health Officials, and the American Association of Public Health Physicians — and was one of the few board members selected by peers to serve as Board Chair twice. His service spanned numerous committees, including accreditation, education, and finance.

In 1994, Dr. Mack helped shape national public health policy when he joined fellow board members in meeting with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, helping advance federal engagement in correctional health care. Beyond this, he contributed to numerous HIV/AIDS advisory groups, national committees, and task forces, while also mentoring future public health leaders as a clinical professor at Michigan State University.

Dr. Mack will be remembered not only for his professional accomplishments, but for his mentorship, friendship, and unwavering belief that quality, ethical health care should be accessible to all. His legacy lives on in the systems he strengthened, the policies he helped shape, and the many professionals he inspired.

At this time, the family has not shared details regarding funeral services.

In the article, they discuss adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which significantly correlate with the development of personality disorders, emphasizing the importance of early intervention, as well as personality disorders, especially Cluster B, that are more prevalent in correctional settings and often underdiagnosed due to stigma and misattribution of symptoms.

They also cover the unique challenges and interventions seen in correctional settings such as nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), aggression, and isolated confinement. Key takeaways include a list of recommendations for practitioners and a call for greater availability of behavioral health services.

Dr Federbush is the Chief of Psychiatry for CFG Health. Ms. Genberg is the Health Services Administrator for the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office and a member of the CFG Health Travel Team.

• CCHP: February 10
• CCHP-CP and CCHP-RN: February 17

CCHP, CCHP-CP, and CCHP-N exams based on the 2026 Standards will begin on February 25.

CCHP-MH exams will remain based on the 2015 Mental Health Standards (and additional study materials) through March 31. If you wish to test under these standards, your complete application must be submitted by March 24, and you must register for an exam date on or before March 31.

Applicants are responsible for meeting all deadlines and completing registration on time. NCCHC and the CCHP Board of Trustees are not responsible for missed deadlines, late registrations, or inability to test on specific dates. Meeting the application deadline does not guarantee availability on your preferred exam date. To maximize your chances of securing your preferred date, submit your application and register as early as possible.

Formerly NCCHC’s Vice President of Education, Ms. Ross has been an active and long-standing member of PCMA GMC for more than 20 years. Over the years, she was deeply engaged in supporting the organization’s mission through extensive volunteer leadership, including more than a decade of service on the Sponsorship Committee and three years on the Awards Committee. In addition, she served on the PCMA GMC Board of Directors from 2018 to 2020, where she contributed to strategic planning, governance, and the continued growth and success of the chapter.

Ms. Ross noted, “The meetings and hospitality industry plays a vital role in bringing people together to learn, collaborate, and innovate. At its core, it is an industry defined by service, resilience, and the power of meaningful human connection. Being part of this community has shaped my career in profound ways—challenging me to grow, broadening my perspective, and ultimately giving me the confidence and foundation to step into the role of CEO.”

While registered nurses bring unique expertise to correctional health care, the new CCHP-N credential recognizes the shared core knowledge required across all levels of nursing practice. This update reflects the increasingly essential role that licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) play in correctional settings—and in health care more broadly.

The change also aligns with NCCHC’s mission to elevate quality and professional practice across the field. It brings the nursing credential into alignment with other NCCHC specialty certifications, including CCHP-MH (which includes all qualified mental health professionals) and CCHP-CP (for NPs, PAs, and MD/DOs).

To ensure fairness and relevance, all CCHP-N exam questions have been thoroughly reviewed by the CCHP-RN Subcommittee to confirm they are appropriate for all levels of nursing licensure and within scope of practice.

Key Dates

• Testing before February 25
  Registered nurses are eligible to take the current CCHP-RN exam. Upon passing, they will receive the CCHP-RN specialty credential, which will convert to CCHP-N upon renewal. Applications for CCHP-RN will remain open through February 17.
• Testing February 25 and later
  Only the CCHP-N exam will be offered, and all licensed nurses are eligible. Applications for CCHP-N are now open.

Current CCHP-RN study materials will carry over to the CCHP-N exam, with the exception of Correctional Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 3rd Edition. In addition, the CCHP-N exam will reference the 2026 NCCHC Standards.

“Correctional nurses—regardless of licensure—share a commitment to providing safe, ethical, and high-quality care in one of health care’s most challenging environments. Expanding this certification acknowledges the vital contributions of all nurses working in corrections and reinforces our belief that excellence in care is a shared professional responsibility,” said Matissa Sammons, NCCHC Vice President of Certification.

Nonuse of Restraints for Pregnant and Postpartum Incarcerated Individuals, first adopted in 2015, states that custody restraints are to be avoided during pregnancy and the postpartum period, as restraints can increase risk of falls or injury throughout pregnancy, cause harm during labor and delivery, hinder the ability to provide emergency obstetrical care, and interfere with postpartum recovery, including mothers’ ability to safely hold and breastfeed their infants. 

Obstetric and Gynecologic Health Care in Correctional Settings (formerly Women’s Health Care in Correctional Settings) addresses the wide range of unique health issues specific to this growing population, including trauma, substance use, and mental illness; gynecological care; breast and cervical cancer; sexually transmitted infections; family planning and contraception; aging and chronic disease; nutrition and diet; and pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting.

See all of NCCHC’s position statements.

Specialty certifications were earned by 11 mental health professionals (CCHP-MH), three clinical providers (physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners—CCHP-CP), and 16 registered nurses (CCHP-RN). In addition, NCCHC Vice President of Program Development Richard Forbus, MBA-HCM, CCHP, earned advanced certification (CCHP-A).

Matissa Sammons, MA, CCHP, commented, “This milestone reflects the continued growth and momentum of the CCHP program and the dedication of correctional health professionals who are choosing to invest in excellence. As we begin a new year, it’s inspiring to see so many individuals step forward to demonstrate their commitment to high-quality care. We’re excited to build on this progress in the year ahead and to continue supporting professionals who are strengthening correctional health care across the country.”

The CCHP Board of Trustees congratulates all newly certified professionals. These certifications became effective January 1, 2026.

Download lists of these individuals here:

CCHP
CCHP-MH
CCHP-CP
CCHP-RN
CCHP-A

Starting the year with purpose means investing in your greatest asset: YOURSELF! As correctional health care continues to evolve, professionals who seek out education and growth shape the field’s future.

The NCCHC Foundation offers opportunities designed to help you expand your skills, strengthen your network, and deepen your impact. From scholarships to mentorship to upcoming preceptorship opportunities, we’re committed to supporting your path forward.

Elevate your practice. Strengthen your career. Lead with purpose.
Because the future of correctional health care starts with the steps you take today.

Spring Conference Scholarship Applications are now open!
If you’re an early-career professional – a student who is interested in correctional health care or you are employed but still in your first two years of correctional health care and passionate about improving patient care behind the walls, this is your opportunity to learn, connect, and grow. Deadline: January 20^th at Noon (CST)

2025 National Conference Scholarship Winners

Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Mental Health
The U.S. faces a worsening maternal mortality crisis, with the highest rate of maternal deaths of any high-income country in the world. According to the CDC’s Maternal Mortality Review Committees, the leading causes of pregnancy-associated deaths are mental health conditions and substance use issues, conditions that are extremely common among women in U.S. prisons and jails. Research has shown that tens of thousands of pregnant people enter U.S. jails and prisons annually and, considering that 60% of incarcerated women are mothers to young children, many also enter during the postpartum period (defined as the 12 months after giving birth). Notably, over half of all maternal deaths occur during that postpartum period.

For someone who is pregnant or postpartum, incarceration can be deeply traumatizing due to isolation, stigma, lack of support, uncertainty over childbirth, and impending or actual separation from their newborn. With baseline high rates of substance use disorders and mental health conditions, such trauma creates deep psychological distress and compounds the risks of perinatal depression, which is strikingly high in custody (35% as compared to 12-20% in the general population, according to a 2021 study).

Reducing preventable maternal deaths, whether in custody or after release, starts with optimizing mental health and substance use care in jail—and making full use of free, trusted resources already available.

Introducing the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
In 2022, the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) launched the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA), a 24/7, free and confidential resource for anyone who is pregnant or postpartum. The hotline connects callers with trained counselors who provide emotional support, crisis intervention, and referrals. The service is available in over 60 languages and requires no insurance, diagnosis, or documentation. The hotline also accepts toll-free calls, making it especially well-suited for correctional settings where paid phone access can be a barrier. Counselors can help connect callers to local resources in preparation for reentry.

In correctional settings, phone use is limited or expensive, and many facilities may struggle to consistently provide the timely, trauma-informed responses that pregnancy and postpartum care require. Without intentional effort, important resources like the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline may never reach those who need it most. Yet for someone navigating grief, depression, anxiety, or trauma, speaking with a compassionate professional can be transformative.

Grant County Detention Center in Silver City, New Mexico, found an effective solution. Through a research partnership with Johns Hopkins University focused on improving pregnancy and postpartum care in jails, researchers introduced the HRSA National Maternal Mental Health Hotline to the facility. Staff recognized its potential and, working with their tablet provider, added the hotline number to the jail’s free call list, ensuring that any resident could reach out at no cost.

“We want the best for the pregnant and postpartum women in our custody,” said jail Lt. Michael Bonenfant. “We had no idea this mental health hotline existed. Once we learned about it, it was a no-brainer for us to give the mothers in our jail free access to the phone number.”

This change required no new funding or infrastructure— just a small technical adjustment with potentially lifesaving reach.

Important Maternal Health Screenings
Another important practice is screening all women for postpartum status at intake by adding a question like “Have you given birth in the last 12 months?” This identifies individuals who are still at risk for pregnancy-related complications. Grant County Detention Center is working with their medical vendor to add the 12-month postpartum question to their intake screening form. For those who are postpartum, medical staff can then ask if they are breastfeeding—and provide appropriate pumping accommodations—and screen for postpartum depression and perinatal anxiety using validated tools like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale.

Correctional health professionals are uniquely positioned to advocate for these solutions. If you work in a facility with tablets or a telephonic infrastructure, consider partnering with your communications provider to make the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA) easily accessible. This small change aligns with national maternal health priorities, suicide, and overdose prevention initiatives, as well as the fundamental principles of patient-centered care.

Maternal mental health support should not depend on incarceration status. Thanks to the thoughtful leadership at Grant County Detention Center, we are one step closer to ensuring it doesn’t. As more jails and prisons adopt tablets and digital communication platforms, they can follow their lead and have a positive impact on new moms and their babies.

Pregnancy and the postpartum period are times of profound vulnerability. Access to timely, empathetic mental health care can make all the difference. More broadly, this initiative demonstrates what’s possible when correctional health systems commit to dignity-centered innovation.

By Alvina Pan, Camille Kramer, MPH, and Carolyn Sufrin, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA

Telehealth is a proven factor in lowering health care costs while improving outcomes, but the medical establishment has a blind spot when it comes to telehealth in corrections. Despite billions invested in correctional health care, reports find that telehealth shows “mixed evidence” of success.

For instance, despite high hopes for Spain’s early-stage telemedicine program in prisons, the country’s prison system managed only 1,228 video consultations while conducting 47,295 prisoner transports.

Across the globe, correctional systems report similar struggles with virtual care implementation. These failures aren’t about bad technology or poor implementation. In reality, most correctional systems have access to the tools they need to address the growing challenges and costs associated with medical transports and improving health care for incarcerated patients.

The challenge comes when systems attempt to onboard telehealth the way a hospital would, which foundationally disregards the specific needs and circumstances of the incarcerated population. By shining a light on these needs, it becomes much easier to understand where telemedicine initiatives have failed in corrections—and the paths they can take to succeed.

The Square Peg, Round Hole Problem
Every major study on correctional telehealth makes the same assumption: telehealth means video visits. That seems logical. After all, video consultations work beautifully in hospitals, clinics, and homes. But jails and prisons aren’t hospitals.

Consider what happens when you try to implement video visits in a correctional facility. First, you encounter security protocols that prohibit internet access. Giving incarcerated people access to live internet connections poses obvious risks that no security director will accept. Then there’s the privacy problem: HIPAA requires confidential spaces for medical consultations, yet most patients live in shared cells or open dormitories. Creating private video consultation rooms in overcrowded facilities isn’t just expensive—it’s often physically impossible given space constraints.

These barriers don’t even consider the logistical nightmare associated with coordinating an incarcerated patient’s availability with a specialist’s schedule. Both must work around court appearances, lockdowns, work details, medical callouts, and existing appointments.

The CSG Justice Center identified these as “implementation barriers,” but what if they’re not barriers to overcome? What if they’re signals that we’re using the wrong approach entirely?

The Quiet Revolution in LA County Jails
While the debate about video telehealth continues, Los Angeles County’s jail system has been quietly transforming health care through a completely different approach: asynchronous electronic consultation.

At LA County Correctional Health Services, Chief Medical Officer Margarita Pereyda, MD, and her team started small with just 52 eConsults in 2014. As years went by, the program experienced dramatic growth; from January 2022 through June 2025 alone, the system processed 15,395 consultations across 15 correctional facilities, utilizing 90 different specialties.

Providers inside the prison submit secure messages and inquiries to specialists about a patient’s condition. Within 1-2 days, the specialist responds with clinical guidance, negating the need for in-person specialist visits in most cases. According to the latest data from June 2025, 25% of consultations are resolved without any transport needed, saving $1,500 in security and vehicle costs per each eliminated transport.

The Power of Asynchronous Care
Asynchronous eConsult, like the program in LA County, succeeds where video fails because it aligns with correctional realities rather than fighting against them. The security benefits are immediate and obvious: there are no live connections to monitor, no real-time communication channels to exploit, and no internet access required for the patients.

The operational efficiency transforms how specialists and correctional physicians collaborate. Correctional physicians can submit questions between rounds or during administrative time. Specialists can batch-review consultations during downtime, between surgeries, or at the end of clinic days; one specialist can effectively serve multiple facilities across a region without traveling or sacrificing clinic time, giving rural jails the same access to expertise as urban facilities.

More importantly, these benefits have been replicated outside of LA county. An asynchronous eConsult program at the Inland Empire Health Plan for San Bernardino and Riverside County jails generated similar results.

From January 2022 through June 2025, the Inland Empire correctional facilities processed 7,390 eConsults across 31 specialties, with 91% of consultations resulting in scheduled visits and 9% resolved through specialist guidance alone. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department became particularly active, submitting 7,348 consultations during this period. Overall, the program achieved a 57% reduction in unnecessary off-site specialist visits, generating annual savings between $70,000 and $262,000 per facility.

Embracing the Real Telemedicine Revolution
The struggle with video telehealth in corrections isn’t a technology problem; it’s a fit problem.

The question isn’t whether telehealth can work in corrections—LA County and others have proven it can. The question is whether we’re willing to let go of our preconceptions about what telehealth should look like and embrace what it could look like. Instead of asking, “How can we make video work in jails?” we must ask “What actually works in jails?”

This reframe allows us to understand how to identify the appropriate solutions that work within the unique constraints of correctional facilities, avoiding the pitfalls of trying to force a solution, and instead making way for more successful—and cost-effective—implementations.

Jomo Kenneth Starke is the founder of Celerius Labs and an expert in ROI optimization, digital health strategy, and AI implementation for safety-net health care systems.

NCCHC is now accepting presentation proposals for two major events in 2026: the Correctional Mental Health Care Conference (July 19–20 in Austin) and the National Conference on Correctional Health Care (October 26–28 in Las Vegas). Whether your work is clinical, operational, research-based, or administrative, your experience can make a meaningful impact.

Improve the Field—and Patient Care

By presenting, you help translate evidence, best practices, and real-world lessons into actionable knowledge for colleagues across the country. NCCHC conferences bring together multidisciplinary audiences, creating a powerful forum for learning that directly supports safer systems, better outcomes, and higher-quality patient care.

Share Your Expertise and Mentor Others

Presenters play a critical role in developing the next generation of correctional health professionals. Sharing your successes, challenges, and lessons learned helps peers avoid common pitfalls, strengthen programs, and grow professionally. It’s an opportunity to mentor others while elevating the entire field.

Choose a Format That Fits Your Message

NCCHC offers multiple presentation formats to suit different types of content and experience levels, including educational sessions, research presentations, roundtable discussions, lightning talks, and posters. From interactive sessions to concise, high-energy talks, there’s a format designed to showcase your work effectively.

Gain Professional Visibility and Recognition

Presenting at NCCHC’s national conferences positions you as a thought leader in correctional health care. It enhances your professional profile, supports career development, and demonstrates your commitment to advancing standards, accountability, and innovation in the field.

Save on Conference Registration

As an added benefit, accepted speakers receive a special registration discount—making it more affordable to attend, learn, and network at the nation’s largest gatherings of correctional health care professionals.

Take the Next Step

New research, interactive sessions, clinical updates, and advanced presentations are especially encouraged.

Submission deadlines:

• Correctional Mental Health Care Conference: February 13
• National Conference on Correctional Health Care: March 6

Start the new year by sharing your expertise—and help shape the future of correctional health care.

Your support doesn’t just help today—it lights the way for lasting change in correctional health care.

Donate Now
Create Your FreeWill Estate Gift

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions.

 “This thing of darkness I
Acknowledge mine.”
Prospero, “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare

Right now, in a Level 4 security prison far out in La Grange, Kentucky, a brotherhood of 18 men, Black, white, old, and young, are gathered together to study and rehearse Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.” These men are incarcerated at Luther Luckett Correctional Complex for violent crimes, but during these hours, they are the actors in a group called Shakespeare Behind Bars.

Last spring, Shakespeare Behind Bars presented “Macbeth”…at the same time I was also playing Macbeth in a touring production with Kentucky Shakespeare. I had the double privilege of sharing my troupe’s “Macbeth” with these inmates and witnessing their “Macbeth” a month later.

After our show, we held a short Q&A, as they did after theirs, and one of the players asked me if it was difficult to play Macbeth due to the fact that I’ve never committed any of the violent crimes the character depicts. I said yes, and explained that there’s a world of understanding I don’t have, but it’s my job to be curious about the lives of others.

When I saw them perform, I could identify that same curiosity in them; the angle was slightly different, though no less important. They’re on a long journey toward understanding themselves, and when they embody this vulnerable space of being emotionally affected by these words and in front of their peers, that’s when breakthroughs happen.

First-year member Bryce Lochlan is an excellent example. Through the medium of theater games and the support of his peers, Bryce learned how to project his voice without reliving the trauma of his abusive dad yelling at him. His mother, along with many other mothers, was in the audience the night I saw them perform. A couple of former Shakespeare Behind Bars members, now reintegrated, also showed up to support their brothers.

The connections and interpersonal skills developed in programs like Shakespeare Behind Bars can be game changers in fostering successful reintegration and preventing recidivism. In learning their lines, these men practice literacy and academic curiosity, and I met several members taking college courses while serving time. In rehearsal, they’re learning to collaborate in a theatrical environment where sensitivity and empathy are valued more than machismo or self-reliance.

I find it particularly meaningful that they cast their roles in an open conversation that takes individual growth into account. Marcus Findlay, one of the players, talked openly during the Q&A about the group challenging him to take on the role of Macbeth. Findlay was incarcerated for homicide, and playing Macbeth forced him to confront the darkest parts of himself with truthfulness and vulnerability. Findlay gave a spectacular performance and ended the show knowing, and accepting, more about himself than when he started.

“Macbeth” is a play rife with violence, betrayal, and guilt, and I think all these men confronted themselves somewhere in the text. Next year, when they perform “The Tempest,” they’ll have the chance to find themselves again in a story about forgiveness and redemption.

There’s a poignant epilogue to this story. Programs like Shakespeare Behind Bars – which foster literacy, friendship, and hope – have become increasingly endangered the last few years due to a national increase in administrative lockdowns. These are extended periods of time when prisons, often due to overcrowding and understaffing, have to shut down their programs and restrict those incarcerated to prolonged isolation and boredom. The result: individuals losing touch with their friends and the outside world, burrowing deeper into themselves, and antagonizing staff. It’s worse for everyone.

Right now is a good time to celebrate these little circles of hope, like Shakespeare Behind Bars, and to build more.

Henry DelBello is an actor living and working in Chicago. He’s an advocate for prison reform and people with disabilities. Shakespeare Behind Bars participants’ names have been changed to protect the peace of all involved.

Pauline Marcussen, DHA, RHIA, CCHP, an NCCHC Foundation board member since 2025, is the new chair. Dr. Marcussen retired after a 25-year career with the Rhode Island Department of Corrections, most recently as health care services administrator. She has been the American Health Information Management Association liaison to the NCCHC board of representatives since 2010, served as chair in 2023, and also chaired the CCHP (Certified Correctional Health Professionals) Board of Trustees.

She replaces Sharen Barboza, PhD, CCHP-MH, who served as chair since 2023 and remains on the Fundraising Committee.  

For 2026, the Foundation welcomes new board members: Mike Dillman, MSN, RN, CCHP, chief operating officer of CorrHealth; Jeffrey Fetter, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and chief medical officer at New Hampshire Hospital; and Elizabeth Samson, LMHC, CCHP, vice president of quality improvement at Wellpath.

In 2026, the NCCHC Foundation will advance several major initiatives including the nationwide release of its free Reentry Toolkit, designed to help correctional facilities strengthen reentry planning and reduce recidivism.

The Workforce Development Committee has launched a research collaboration to examine recruitment and retention barriers in correctional health care leadership and will publish a white paper to inform national strategies. The committee is also creating a free Preceptorship Program and database within the NCCHC Career Center to support training and mentorship for new professionals entering the field, and is actively seeking those interested in serving as preceptors.

In addition, the Fundraising Committee will seek to expand support for free CME webinars as well as introducing more conference-based fundraising experiences, building on the success of events like the 2025 Cruise for a Cause.  

NCCHC Foundation 2026 Board of Trustees

• Pauline Marcussen, DHA, RHIA, CCHP (chair)
• Brandon De Julius, MBA, CCHP-A
• Mike Dillman, MSN, RN, CCHP
• Jeffrey Fetter, MD
• Brenda Fields, RN, RHA, CCHP
• August (Augie) Ghilarducci, MBA
• Keith Ivens, MD
• Robert Morgan, PhD
• Deborah Ross, CCHP
• Elizabeth Samson, LMHC, CCHP

Joining the board is Aynsley Mull, JD, deputy chief legal officer with Centurion Health. She replaces Deana Johnson, JD, Centurion Health’s general counsel, who served on the board since 2019.

Also new to the board is Jeffrey Alvarez, MD,  CCHP-CP, CCHP-A, physician executive consultant for NaphCare. He joined the board in August 2025, replacing Ronald Charpentier, MBA, who served since 2021.

With a deep bench of consultants experienced in both clinical and operational settings, NCCHC Resources provides customized consulting and technical assistance to correctional systems and facilities across the country, including some of the most complex systems nationwide.

NCCHC Resources 2026 Board of Directors

• Joseph Penn, MD, CCHP-MH, Chair and Treasurer
• James Martin, MPSA, CCHP,  Secretary
• Jeffrey Alvarez, MD,  CCHP-CP, CCHP-A
• Oscar Aviles, CJM, CCE, CCHP
• Aynsley Mull, JD
• Esmaeil Porsa, MD, MPH, CCHP-CP, CCHP-A
• Deborah Ross, CCHP
• Ralf Salke, BSN, RN, CCHP-A

Learn about the 14 amazing Foundation scholars who attended the National Conference on Correctional Health Care in Baltimore earlier this month. Read their profiles here.

Donate now to the NCCHC Foundation’s end-of-year matching campaign to keep this important program going.

Brandon De Julius, MBA, CCHP-A, is the newly appointed board liaison for the American College of Healthcare Executives. He is the chief executive officer of CFG Health, a physician owned and operated organization that provides medical and behavioral health services to correctional facilities throughout the mid-Atlantic states. Previously he served in a variety of executive positions with YesCare, including as executive vice president and chief administrative officer. He replaces Sam Soltis, PhD, MHA, CCHP, who represented ACHA since 2015.

Sam Wakim, DMD, MPH, joined the board as the American Dental Association liaison. Currently providing day-to-day guidance, support, and medical management for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, he previously oversaw health activities of a large federally qualified health center (FQHC), where he recruited, trained, and supervised a multispecialty dental team delivering quality care to vulnerable, underserved, and special populations. He replaces Michael Johnson, DDS, MPH, who represented the ADA since 2021.

NCCHC is supported by the major national organizations representing the fields of health, mental health, law, and corrections. Each supporting organization names a liaison to the NCCHC Board of Representatives to create a robust, multidisciplinary governing structure that reflects the complexities of correctional health care.

The following board members were elected to the NCCHC Governance Board for 2025-2026:

• Keith Ivens, MD, chair
• Grant Phillips, MD, CCHP, chair elect
• Patricia Blair, PhD, JD, CCHP-RN, CCHP-A, immediate past chair
• Pauline Marcussen, DHA, RHIA, CCHP, secretary
• Joseph Penn, MD, CCHP-MH, treasurer
• Jennifer Clifton, DNP, FNP-BC, CCHP-CP, CCHP-A
• Kenya Key, PsyD, CCHP-MH
• Sheriff Heath Taylor
• Barbara Wakeen, MA, RDN, CCHP

A new NCCHC position statement offers clear guidance and a call to action. Care for People With Sickle Cell Disease in Correctional Settings addresses the unique needs of people with SCD, underscoring the need for structured workflows, sustained monitoring, and patient-centered implementation.

The position statement consolidates current guidelines and evidence to provide guidance for:

1. Screening all people for blood disorders at medical intake in any carceral setting.
2.  Establishing comprehensive care for people who have SCD.
3.  Establishing protocols and guidelines for recognizing and managing vaso-occlusive crises.
4. Ensuring proper hydration and temperature control, and ensuring the patient avoids strenuous activity.
5. Identifying and managing acute SCD-related complications, such as medical emergencies requiring hospital transfer.
6. Consistent with NCCHC’s position, people with SCD should not be charged fees for services.
7. Supporting transition to comprehensive SCD care in the community on reentry.

Each of these steps is discussed in detail in the position statement.

NCCHC believes that this position statement will serve as a valuable, evidence-informed guide for identifying and managing the needs of people with SCD in jails, prisons, and juvenile facilities. Implementating these recommendations will promote the health of individuals with SCD in the carceral setting and ensure that they receive timely and appropriate care. We encourage all health care professionals in these settings to review and implement the recommendations.

By Kevin Fiscella, MD, MPH, professor or family medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center and the American Society of Addiction Medicine liaison to the NCCHC Board of Representatives, with coauthors Yoseph Boku, Harvard Medical School student; Ashley Jenkins, MD, MSc, assistant professor of medicine and pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry; Yvane Ngassa, third-year medical student, Tufts University School of Medicine; Amy Sobota, MD, MPH, associate professor of pediatrics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine; and Amelita Woodruff, MD, assistant professor of medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

From preconference deep dives into the new 2026 Standards to standing-room-only clinical sessions, this year’s National Conference demonstrated why it remains the essential gathering for those committed to quality care in correctional settings.

A Powerful Start: New Standards Take Center Stage

The conference kicked off with preconference seminars dedicated to the newly released NCCHC Jail, Prison, and Mental Health Standards. More than 200 attendees joined the full-day intensive on the new jail and prison Standards—one of the most popular preconference programs in years. Participants called the session “tremendously informative” and praised its ability to keep them “fully engaged from start to finish.”

These Standards sessions set the tone for the week: practical, forward-focused education delivering tools that professionals can take home and implement immediately. In fact, many attendees reported that they would be sharing Standards updates with their teams as soon as they returned to their facilities.

High-Demand Sessions Address Today’s Most Urgent Challenges

Once the main conference began, attendees had up to seven concurrent sessions from which to choose—covering the full spectrum of medical, mental health, administrative, and legal issues shaping the field.

Topics in highest demand included:

• Medication-assisted treatment (MOUD/MAT)
• Mental health services in restrictive housing
• Documentation and risk reduction
• Leadership and workforce resilience

Sessions supporting professionals in the unique correctional environment drew particular enthusiasm. Conversations about “noncompliant” patients, drug-seeking behavior, compassion fatigue, the power of empathetic care, and the “art of saying no” resonated deeply.

What Attendees Are Taking Home

Feedback from the conference makes it clear: this event doesn’t just inform—it transforms practice.

According to post-conference evaluations:

• 87% said the conference enhanced their competence
• 87% said it will improve patient outcomes
• Attendees highlighted topics they intend to implement at home, including:
  • Updates to the new 2026 Standards
  • Improved suicide prevention practices
  • New approaches to MOUD and diversion planning
  • Better documentation strategies
  • Techniques to manage chronic diseases, seizures, pregnancy-related emergencies, and more
  • Leadership strategies to strengthen teams and reduce burnout
  • Trauma-informed and empathy-centered care practices
  • Enhanced cross-disciplinary collaboration

One attendee summed up the impact: “There is nowhere else to get this kind of education for our unique setting. It’s inspiring to be around others who ‘get it.’”

A Thriving Community: Networking at Its Best

The National Conference is as much about connection as it is about education. This year:

• 96% said they had adequate networking opportunities
• Attendees visited the Exhibit Hall multiple times, with 77% exploring new products and services and nearly half engaging with current suppliers to solve real-world challenges.

Participants also reported building lasting professional relationships—sharing best practices, swapping innovative ideas, and joining together to strengthen correctional health care nationwide.

Looking Ahead: Join Us in 2026

If this year’s conference is any indication, the momentum behind correctional health care is stronger than ever. Professionals left Baltimore energized and equipped with new knowledge, tools, and partnerships—ready to enhance care for patients and support their teams back home.

NCCHC’s 2026 conferences offer multiple opportunities to stay engaged and continue learning:

• NCCHC Spring Conference on Correctional Health Care
  April 18–21, 2026 | New Orleans, LA
• NCCHC Correctional Mental Health Care Conference
  July 18-20, 2026 | Austin, TX
• NCCHC National Conference on Correctional Health Care
  October 24–28, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV

Visit ncchc.org for details.

Dr. Ivens has served in correctional medicine for nearly 30 years, beginning as a staff physician with the Indiana Department of Correction in 1995. A Stanford-trained physician, he has worked in jails, prisons, detention centers, and juvenile facilities across city, county, state, and federal systems. As Chief Medical Officer for CoreCivic, he oversaw medical services for more than 50,000 patients at more than 60 correctional facilities in 17 states plus the District of Columbia, molding corporate policies to reflect NCCHC national standards. During that time, he continued to see patients so he could see the ramifications that leadership decisions had on patients and staff.

He has been a member of the NCCHC board since 2021 as liaison for the  American College of Correctional Physicians. During this tenure he has served on several committees including the Executive Committee, Policy and Research Committee, and Education Committee.

“During my first year with the Indiana DOC, I was introduced to NCCHC as an organization that was working to push our field higher. I was thrilled to find like-minded individuals who wanted to serve incarcerated patients and improve their communities by returning those individuals prepared to manage their health needs,” Dr. Ivens said in a speech at the opening ceremony for the National Conference on Correctional Health Care in Baltimore. “Today, NCCHC leads the way in setting the standards that define and elevate quality care in corrections. I am honored to serve as chair of this outstanding organization.”

Grant Phillips, MD, CCHP, was elected chair elect. He serves as the American Academy of Family Physicians liaison to the NCCHC board.

On this Veterans Day, NCCHC proudly honors all who have served in the United States Armed Forces — including the many veterans who now dedicate their skills and compassion to caring for patients in correctional settings and our colleagues in custody operations.

Veterans bring a unique sense of duty, discipline, and teamwork to the challenging work of correctional health care. Whether serving as clinicians, mental health professionals, administrators, or custody officers and leaders, their continued commitment to service strengthens our shared mission: to ensure quality care for all incarcerated individuals.

We also recognize the men and women who are veterans in our patient populations. Providing appropriate, trauma-informed, and respectful care to those who have served is an important part of our collective responsibility.

To all veterans — past and present — we thank you for your service, your leadership, and your example of dedication to others.

Happy Veterans Day from all of us at NCCHC

The Bernard P. Harrison Award of Merit was presented to Robert Morris, MD, CCHP-CP, for demonstrated excellence and service in advancing the correctional health care field. A recognized authority on correctional health care for youth and professor emeritus in the pediatrics department at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, Dr. Morris has been a staunch advocate for the health and well-being of young people involved in the criminal legal system for more than 50 years.

The B. Jaye Anno Award of Excellence in Communication was given to Marcella Alsan, MD, PhD, MPH, and Crystal Yang, PhD, JD, for their groundbreaking study examining the impact of NCCHC accreditation on health services in jails. In their study, Dr. Alsan, professor of economics at Stanford University, and Dr. Yang, professor of law at Harvard Law School, found that NCCHC accreditation improves compliance with health care standards, staff collaboration, and health outcomes for incarcerated patients. The study also shows that accreditation saves lives and reduces recidivism.

Susan Laffan, RN, CCHP-RN, CCHP-A, is the recipient of the Edward A. Harrison Award of Excellence in Correctional Health Care Leadership, presented to a leader who inspires others and is committed to quality improvement in correctional health care. Ms. Laffan is applauded for her skills as a leader, clinician, and educator after a 40-year career at correctional facilities in New Jersey and more than 50 educational sessions at NCCHC conferences.

Juan “Rudy” Nunez, MD, CCHP-CP, a staunch supporter of NCCHC’s mission, standards, and accreditation program, is this year’s winner of the Jim Voisard Surveyor of the Year award. After many years in executive positions with correctional health care companies, Dr. Nunez now devotes himself to serving as an NCCHC physician surveyor. He also served on the task force that revised the 2026 jail and prison standards.

The El Paso County (CO) Jail was named the R. Scott Chavez Program of the Year for its Therapeutic Response Unit and Stabilization Team (TRUST) Unit. The award recognizes a program of excellence from among the thousands provided at NCCHC-accredited jails, prisons, and juvenile confinement facilities. The TRUST program employs trained mental health professionals to respond to escalating situations, resulting in a significant reduction in use-of-force incidents.

In addition, three facilities received Pinnacle recognition for having achieved NCCHC accreditation in three separate service areas: the Clackamas County (OR) Sheriff’s Office Jail, Complejo Correccional Ponce in Puerto Rico, and the Pima County (AZ) Adult Detention Complex, are all accredited for health services, mental health services, and opioid treatment programs. This is the first time that three facilities have earned Pinnacle status in one year.

Congratulations to all this year’s award winners!

Overview of Changes to the 2026 Standards for Health Services in Jails and Prisons
This 278-slide presentation details every revision in the 2026 edition—including new interpretive guidance, enhanced survey documentation requirements, updated definitions, distinctions between jail and prison standards, and new compliance indicators. Designed to help facilities transition from the 2018 Standards, it’s your guide to understanding what’s changed and why. Compliance with the 2026 Standards will be required for accreditation beginning January 1, 2026.

Overview of Changes to the 2026 Standards for Mental Health Services in Correctional Facilities
This 228-slide resource outlines key updates to the 2026 Mental Health Standards, including alignment with the new Jail and Prison Standards, new definitions, enhanced documentation expectations, and practical interpretive guidance. It helps facilities move seamlessly from the 2015 edition to the 2026 edition, ensuring readiness and continuous quality improvement. Compliance with the 2026 Mental Health Standards will be required for accreditation beginning April 1, 2026.

These tools are indispensable for administrators, clinicians, and compliance staff dedicated to best practices in patient care and safety. Available in print and digital access.

NCCHC Standards require that people with diabetes in detention settings should receive care that meets the same national standards as in the community. The American Diabetes Association emphasizes that timely access to medication, consistent glucose monitoring, and nutrition that supports glycemic control are vital to preventing life-threatening complications such as hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Challenges in Corrections:

• Limited access to diabetes-friendly meals.
• Inconsistent medication and glucose monitoring.
• Lack of patient education on managing diabetes.

Opportunities for Impact:

• Empower self-management: The ADA recommends that patients be supported to participate in their own care whenever feasible, including self-monitoring and supervised insulin administration.
• Advocate for healthier food options: Facilities should offer consistent, heart-healthy meals and identify carbohydrate content to aid dietary management.
• Strengthen screening and continuity: Routine screening and clear transfer procedures help prevent medical emergencies and ensure ongoing care during movement between facilities.

The NCCHC Foundation supports correctional health care professionals with resources such as educational webinars and scholarships designed to strengthen chronic disease management.

This month, take action by enhancing patient education, advocating for systemic change, and accessing resources to advance diabetes care. Together, we can make a lasting impact behind the walls—ensuring that every person with diabetes receives the standard of care they deserve.

View the ADA Position Statement on Diabetes Management in Detention Facilities.

They are seeking: 

• Custody staff, leadership, or medical staff in U.S. jail facilities 
• Correctional health contractors 
• Regional, state, or national department of corrections leaders 
• Subject matter experts on suicide prevention and reporting in correctional facilities

What’s involved: 

• Brief pre-interview survey (5-10 minutes) 
• One-time interview (60 minutes) 
• $50 electronic gift card as a thank you for your participation

Interested? Email Research Assistant Kyle Vance at [email protected]

Principal Investigator: Olivia K. Sugarman, PhD, MPH

This study has been reviewed and approved by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Institutional Review Board.

When you give to the NCCHC Foundation this season, you Shine a Light on What Matters Most—the professionals delivering care behind the walls and the patients they serve. Through December 31, every dollar is matched dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000 thanks to NCCHC’s generosity.

That means:

• $50 becomes $100 to support scholarships.
• $250 becomes $500 to fund free educational webinars.
• $1,000 becomes $2,000 to strengthen reentry initiatives that help justice-involved individuals successfully reintegrate and avoid returning to incarceration.

This season, one gift truly means twice the light.

Give Today

Together, we’ll Shine a Light on What Matters Most and build a stronger correctional health care workforce—now and for the future.

If you are interested in discussing a legacy gift, contact [email protected].

This year’s virtual experience features exclusive online sessions plus highlights curated from the NCCHC National Conference in Baltimore. Whether you prefer real-time interaction or learn best on your own schedule, the conference has you covered—and you can earn up to 25 hours of CE credit.

“It’s challenging for professionals in our field to get the education they need. The virtual conference offers weeks of opportunity to learn and earn CE, meeting a wide variety of needs,” said Deborah Ross, CCHP, NCCHC CEO.

A few standout 2025 sessions

• The Myth of the Noncompliant Patient
• Clinical Care Strategies for Patients with HIV-Related Cancers
• Strategies for Effective Mental Health Services in Restrictive Housing
• The Experiences of Deaf People Inside the Walls
• Caring for Patients with Brain Injury: Challenges and Strategies
• A Strategic Model for Managing Outbreaks in Congregate Settings
• Opioid Use Disorder Assessment in Prisons
• Insulin Pumps in Corrections: Protocols, Implementation, and Outcomes
• Data That Saves Lives: Standardizing Suicide Attempt Documentation and Prevention

Participants can join live December 10–11 or access sessions on demand through January 30, 2026, earning robust CE credit along the way.

Register today and be part of this impactful event!

These surveys are vital to NCCHC’s continued medical education accreditation and help us identify opportunities for improvement. Thank you to all participants for your valuable feedback. We encourage everyone who attends a program to take part in future surveys.

January 2026 Winners:

• Elena Dykas: Free conference registration
• Adegboyega Oyemade, MD, CCHP: Free webinar

October 2025 Winners:

• Jessica Ortiz, CCHP: Free webinar
• Elizabeth Samson, MA, LMHC, CCHP: Free conference registration
• Ellen Shelley, DNP, MSN, CCHP: Free webinar

Please watch your email for your 12-week survey following each NCCHC webinar and conference. Your participation makes a difference! For more information, contact [email protected].

Correctional health care professionals know that continuity of care is central to patient outcomes, yet staff turnover threatens continuity every day. In 2023, one correctional health care organization experienced a 78% employee turnover rate, compared with a national average of 25.9% reported in a Healthcare Finance News article. Every departure risks disrupting chronic care, delaying behavioral health treatments, and increasing financial strain.

Root cause analysis showed that leadership deficiencies were central. Managers were perceived as ineffective and unsupportive. Scores from 360-degree evaluations averaged only 4.24 on a seven-point scale. Employees reported that managers did not communicate, set inconsistent expectations, and created disengagement. Research in nursing and health care supports these findings. When leadership is weak, burnout and turnover rise.

An improvement project conducted at Capella University tested whether leadership training could improve employee satisfaction outcomes. Training was grounded in social learning theory and implemented using the Plan, Do, Study, Act cycle. Sessions focused on communication, ethical leadership, and accountability. Participants practiced scenarios such as conflict resolution, ethical dilemmas, and goal setting. Feedback was collected through interviews and surveys.

The results were immediate. Managers reported greater confidence, stronger staff relationships, and improved communication after leadership training. Employees felt more supported and more willing to engage. Leaders themselves requested additional modules, including conflict management and resilience strategies. These outcomes align with NCCHC standards, which emphasize staff well-being and organizational support as essential to clinical quality.

For correctional health care organizations, the implications are clear. Leadership development should be treated as a clinical quality initiative. Stable teams can protect patient care, reduce risks, and improve accreditation outcomes. Practical steps include embedding leadership training into orientation, offering short refreshers throughout the year, and linking manager evaluations to training participation.

By investing in leadership development, correctional health care systems can create stable, resilient teams that protect patient outcomes. Training is not an optional perk. It is a necessary part of clinical quality and risk management.

Brittany Krysinski, EdD, CCHP, is Chief Communications Officer at Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc.

Specialty certification numbers remain strong, with some programs setting new records:

• 2 earned the CCHP–Mental Health (CCHP-MH) specialty certification. With 26 new professionals earning their CCHP-MH, it is one of the best years for the program.
• 5 earned the CCHP–Clinical Provider (CCHP-CP) specialty certification
• 16 achieved the CCHP–Registered Nurse (CCHP-RN) specialty certification—a record quarter for this specialty certification

“It’s been an extraordinary year for certification,” said Matissa Sammons, MA, CCHP, NCCHC Vice President of Certification. “Interest in the CCHP program is the highest we’ve seen since 2017, and it speaks volumes about the dedication of professionals in our field. Earning a CCHP isn’t just about passing a test—it’s about a personal commitment to improving patient care and advancing the standards of correctional health.”

The CCHP Board of Trustees extends its sincere congratulations to all who achieved certification this quarter. All credentials became effective October 1, 2025.

Download lists of these individuals here:

CCHP
CCHP-MH
CCHP-CP
CCHP-RN

Learn more at ncchc.org/professional-certification.  The CCHP and specialty exams will reference the new NCCHC 2026 Jail/Prison Health Care Standards starting February 25, 2026, and the CCHP-MH will refer to the new NCCHC 2026 Mental Health Care Standards starting April 1. Take your exam in 2025 and get tested on the current Standards. 

The awards will be presented during ACNA’s 5-year birthday celebration at the NCCHC National Conference on Correctional Health Care.

“Correctional nurses deliver skilled, compassionate care in some of the most complex practice environments in healthcare,” said Deborah Shelton, PhD, RN, CCHP, co-founder of C4CN. “The ACNA co-founders built a professional home for those nurses-advancing role clarity, advocacy, and evidence-based practice. We’re thrilled to partner with The DAISY Foundation to honor their leadership in such a joyful way.”

A representative of The DAISY Foundation added, “The DAISY Leadership Award celebrates leaders who create a culture where extraordinary nursing can thrive. ACNA’s founders have championed standards, mentorship, and community for correctional nurses nationwide- an impact truly worthy of this recognition.”

Founded in 2020, ACNA has rapidly become a unifying voice for nurses practicing in jails, prisons, detention centers, and community reentry settings. The DAISY Leadership Awards will acknowledge the co-founders’ pivotal work establishing a national platform for professional identity, education, and peer support- contributions that continue to elevate patient care and workforce well-being across correctional health.

“Five years is a milestone,” said Lori Roscoe, DNP, PhD, CCHP-RN, co-founder of C4CN. “But the legacy of these leaders will be measured in decades- seen in safer care, stronger teams, and nurses who feel seen, prepared, and proud of their specialty.”

The eight ACNA co-founders being honored include (in alphabetical order):

• Patricia Blair, Ph.D., JD, MSN, CCHP-RN, CCHP-A
• Annette Maruca, Ph.D., RN-BC, CCHP
• Mary Muse, RN, MS, CCHP-RN, CCHP-A
• Louise Reagan, PhD, APRN
• Lori Roscoe, DNP, PhD, CCHP-RN
• Deborah Shelton, PhD, RN, CCHP
• Sue Smith, MSN, RN, CCHP-RN
• Ramesh Upadhyaya, DNP, RN, CCHP

We seek contributions that not only examine the institutional and environmental drivers of health outcomes in correctional systems, but also offer practical, scalable, or innovative responses—whether clinical, organizational, or policy-based. Additionally, we encourage  submissions from graduate/doctoral students (with or without faculty co-authors), practitioners such as correctional health staff, reentry coordinators, community partners, as well as justice-impacted individuals with lived experience.

We welcome a range of submission types, including:

• Narrative Medicine – reflective or first-person stories by those with lived experience that highlight how structural barriers or ethical challenges were confronted or addressed in practice
• Case Reports – clinical or operational scenarios that demonstrate challenges and creative or systems-based solutions
• Quality Improvement – data-driven efforts to improve care delivery, access, or equity within correctional health systems
• Original Research – empirical studies evaluating the impact of interventions, policies, or structural changes on health outcomes
• Best Practices – description of best practices to address sociostructural determinants of health and disparities in carceral settings (i.e., methods for improving ways to understand the needs and outcomes of the population served)
• Commentaries/Essays – shorter, critical reflections on policy, ethics, or reform directions—bridging research and practice.

Topics may include (but are not limited to):

• Addressing care gaps driven by institutional policies and systemic barriers
• Solutions to improve equity in access, treatment, or reentry care
• Describing the ethical challenges faced by physicians, nurses, and other health care providers working or training in carceral facilities
• Programs or practices that mitigate the effects of historical or structural disadvantages
• Training or staffing models that address bias, turnover, or access to care barriers
• Community and carceral partnerships that address population health issues

Due to the sensitive nature of this topic, authors may use their discretion in changing names of individuals and facilities. We actively encourage students across the spectrum of disciplines to submit to this call. The focus of submissions should be solutions or recommendations.

Guest Editors: Jennifer Wyatt Bourgeois, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Texas Southern University, and Dionne Hart, MD, CCHP-MH, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine 

Submission Deadline: February 1, 2026

This season of giving brings a special opportunity to make your impact go twice as far. Thanks to NCCHC’s generous matching challenge, every dollar you donate to the NCCHC Foundation will be matched up to $25,000 through December 31. That means your contribution will have double the power to support education, compassion, and positive change within correctional health care.

Your gift helps:

• Fund scholarships for early-career professionals who represent the next generation of correctional health leaders.
• Provide free educational webinars that reach thousands of professionals nationwide.
• Support mentorship programs that nurture and sustain the correctional health workforce.
• Strengthen reentry initiatives that give patients a healthier path forward after release.

When you give today, you’re not just making a donation — you’re illuminating hope, advancing knowledge, and helping to create healthier futures for those living and working behind bars.

Together, we can shine a light of hope, knowledge, and care where it’s needed most.

As part of a much larger piece of legislation (the Social Security Act), the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy or MIEP prohibits the use of federal funds to cover health care costs while an individual is incarcerated. That presents a challenge as many incarcerated people are also recipients of Medicaid coverage due to existing on the lower end of the socioeconomic status (SES) ladder. In the St. Croix County (WI) Jail, no health care bills are sent off for insurance processing, independent of type of insurance coverage (public vs. private) the incarcerated patient has. Instead, patients are responsible for paying the county back for all treatment and medication services provided. As one might expect, those costs place an added burden on a person as they leave jail and attempt to reestablish ties in the community.

There are instances in which family members may pick up medications in the community and drop them off at the jail for their loved one, but that is the exception rather than the norm. In practice, individuals who have experience paying for care received while in custody may elect to go without treatment and medications while incarcerated, rather than accumulate a large bill. These extraordinary choices jeopardize their health, especially for those who may be experiencing a crisis in the form of behavioral health (mental health and/or substance use) challenges. Unfortunately, these difficult choices leave vulnerable individuals to suffer further while also putting other incarcerated individuals and correctional staff at risk.

At the state and federal levels, there are pieces of legislation that may provide some relief for both facilities and those who are incarcerated. In Wisconsin, applying for a Medicaid Section 1115 Waiver would allow Medicaid coverage to be expanded to pretrial detainees (those not yet convicted of a crime) and others within roughly 30 days of release. At the very least, that would allow for some continuity of care as individuals are set to release back into the community. That is especially important with the average length of stay in most local jails being about 11 days. The policy would also fit with the presumption of innocence for pretrial detainees.

At the federal level, two bills are being proposed: the Due Process Continuity of Care Act would allow pretrial detainees to keep those benefits while incarcerated, and the Reentry Act would incorporate those within 30 days of release to set up outpatient care and medications.

Legislative action both locally and at the federal level would help to alleviate some of the negative outcomes associated with the MIEP. Much of this work speaks to reentry and setting up incarcerated individuals for success as they transition back into the community.

For more information, see the following NCCHC position statements:

• Eliminating Financial Assessments for Health Care Services During Incarceration (2022)
• Health Care Funding for Youth in Custody (2025)
• Optimizing Insurance Coverage for Individuals Pre- and Postrelease (2024)

Phillip Galli, PhD, is the director of Justice Support Services for St. Croix County, Wisconsin.

• David Crutchfield, MD, CCHP
• Alda Diaz-LaCilento, PhD, LPC
• Mindy Gochis, LPC, CCHP-MH
• Diana Knapp, MS, CJM, CCHP
• Jerri McGinnis, MBA, BSN, CCHP-RN
• Beth Takahashi, RN, CCHP-RN

After completing a 12-hour training program that ensures everyone starts with a shared understanding of NCCHC’s Standards and survey process, our new surveyors will gain hands-on experience in the field. They’ll shadow veteran surveyors, then move on to conducting and leading surveys themselves, following the classic learning model of “see one, do one, teach one.”

Jerri McGinnis, MBA, BSN, CCHP-RN, commented “Becoming an NCCHC surveyor represents a natural extension of my lifelong commitment to excellence in correctional health care. I am motivated by the opportunity to collaborate with dedicated professionals, share best practices, and support facilities in achieving and maintaining compliance with NCCHC Standards. Ultimately, I view the role of surveyor as both a responsibility and a privilege—an opportunity to ensure that all individuals, regardless of circumstance, receive care that is humane, ethical, and consistent with national standards of quality.

With more facilities seeking accreditation, NCCHC welcomes the opportunity to enroll more surveyors. For more information, contact [email protected].

A longtime representative of the National Association of Counties on the NCCHC Board of Directors, Dr. Kuipers also served as chair of the Board in 1996. Drawing on his expertise in business and finance—and his tenure as a professor of business at Calvin College—he was later elected Treasurer of NCCHC, a position he held for many years. He also contributed his insight and leadership as a member of the NCCHC Accreditation Committee.

In retirement, Dr. Kuipers found great joy in music, performing on saxophone with the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band, the Scottville Clown Band, and Sam’s Swing Band. His dedication, leadership, and service leave a lasting legacy within NCCHC and the broader correctional health care community.

Your expertise and dedication are vital to improving patient outcomes and supporting public health within and beyond correctional facilities. Thank you for all you do!

The NCCHC Foundation celebrates the impact of correctional health care pharmacists today and every day.

Despite its importance, more than half of American adults don’t have an up-to-date estate plan. For many, the idea can feel overwhelming. But estate planning doesn’t need to be complicated—it’s simply about making thoughtful choices now to save your loved ones stress later.

With a plan in place, you can:

• Ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes
• Protect the people, pets, and causes you love
• Name someone you trust to make health care decisions on your behalf if you’re ever unable to
• Leave a legacy that reflects your values and priorities

To make this process easier, the NCCHC Foundation has partnered with FreeWill, a free, secure online tool that walks you step-by-step through making or updating a will in about 20 minutes. It’s fast, simple, and completely confidential.

Coming the third week of October, National Estate Planning Awareness Week is the perfect opportunity to put your future plans in place. We invite you to take this important step toward peace of mind—for yourself, your loved ones, and the causes close to your heart..

This project is sponsored by the NCCHC Foundation committee on workforce development. The goal of this research is to improve strategies for recruitment and retention of health care professionals in U.S. correctional facilities.

Anyone who is a current or former (within the last year) correctional health care employee is eligible to participate.

IRB-FY2026-43 Facilitators and Barriers for Correctional Health Care Staff Recruitment and Retention

To participate, contact Pamela Valera, PhD, MSW at [email protected] or Claire Wolfe, MA, MPH, CCHP, [email protected]

Key takeaways from the article include:

• Distinct subtypes of LSD include devastating communication, impulsive actions, intoxication, psychosis, and agitated depression, each with unique underlying mechanisms.
• Recognizing LSD has clinical and forensic implications, urging a shift in risk assessment towards dynamic evaluation and targeted interventions.
• The formal categorization of LSD provides a framework for research, aiming to improve understanding and prevention of this complex phenomenon.

The authors state “Acknowledging the existence of LSD is not an admission of defeat; it is a call for greater sophistication in our clinical and systemic approach. It pushes us to understand and account for the powerful role of impulsivity, acute psychosocial stressors, and rapidly changing mental states in the final pathway to suicide. For the clinician on the front lines, it can provide a rationale for taking further action—such as increasing the level of observation, or engaging family—based on a holistic assessment of dynamic risk factors, rather than being solely tethered to a patient’s denial. Alternatively, understanding of LSD may better explain that appropriate risk assessment may still be followed by a fatal event.”

The article is available on the Psychiatric Times website.

Ms. Elliott had been a registered nurse since 2012 and had worked in corrections since 2019, most recently as the Director of Nursing in the Tarrant County Correctional Facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Ms. Elliott began surveying with NCCHC in November 2023. She was also a volunteer for the NCCHC Foundation, reviewing scholarship applications and serving as a mentor.

Ms. Elliott leaves behind her husband, Spencer, two daughters, ages 17 and 12, and a son, age 9.  NCCHC staff and leadership extend their deepest condolences to the Elliott family. A donation page has been set up to help cover hospital, burial, and living expenses.

Every day, you:

• Change Lives: By providing critical care and support, you empower individuals to overcome addiction and rebuild their lives.
• Break Stigma: Your compassion and expertise help shift perceptions and create a more understanding environment for those in need.
• Innovate and Advocate: From implementing evidence-based treatments to advocating for better policies, you are at the forefront of progress in addiction care.

At the NCCHC Foundation, we are inspired by your commitment and are proud to support your work through scholarships, educational opportunities, and resources tailored to correctional health care professionals.

This National Addiction Professionals Day, we encourage everyone to take a moment to express gratitude for the vital role you play. Together, we’re creating pathways to hope, healing, and brighter futures.

Related Resources:

• Standards for Opioid Treatment Programs
• NEW! Standards for Mental Health Services
• Jail Guidelines for the Medical Treatment of Substance Use Disorders 2025 (Free Download!)
• NCCHC Resources Programs & Training for Jail-Based Medication-Assisted Treatment

At the NCCHC Foundation, we’re proud to support your growth through scholarships, educational webinars, and career development resources designed specifically for correctional health care professionals. Whether you’re strengthening your skills or exploring leadership opportunities, we’re here to help you thrive.

Explore our upcoming educational opportunities, including free and low-cost CME webinars, and join us as we continue to grow, inspire, and innovate together.

Our Career Center offers tailored resources for correctional health care professionals, from career advice and articles to free job searches and premium services like resume writing and coaching. Creating a free account is the first step toward unlocking these tools.

We’d also love to hear your story—how you’ve grown in your career or how NCCHC has impacted you. Through our new platform, you can easily share a selfie, video, or short written note. Your experiences may be featured in promotional videos, blog posts, or social media to highlight the impact of correctional nursing careers.

To all correctional nurses—thank you for your dedication, resilience, and commitment to care. You are the heartbeat of correctional health, and we celebrate you not just this week, but every day.

Share Your Story through this link or use the QR code below

Patient advocacy in correctional health care is a vital competency that encompasses the articulation and active support of patients’ concerns, needs, and rights. Advocacy is foundational to the delivery of patient-centered care and requires a deliberate focus on skill development for health care professionals, whether they are advocating at the bedside or within institutional settings. Advocacy fosters an environment in which values such as individualized care, shared decision-making, and respect for patient autonomy are upheld, ultimately contributing to a sense of safety, hope, and trust among health care professionals and those they care for.

The role of advocacy in correctional health care extends beyond patient-provider interactions; patient advocacy embodies a profound ethical commitment to safeguarding and promoting the rights and needs of individuals. This obligation is underscored by the ethical guidelines provided by each health care provider’s professional organization, such as the American Nurses Association “Code of Ethics for Nurses.”

Correctional nurses have an ethical obligation to identify and challenge any unethical practices or policies that may compromise the rights or safety of their patients. For instance, if a nurse observes that a patient with diabetes is denied proper dietary accommodations or necessary medical supplies, it is that nurse’s responsibility to report and advocate for changes to those policies.

As expressed in provision 3.2 of the ANA code, nurses must be willing not only to act on behalf of their patients but also to promote social justice within their health care environment. Such commitments highlight how advocacy is essential not only to patient care but also to the health care profession as a whole.

Advocacy’s Ripple Effect
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai said, “When the world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.”  That assertion aptly reflects the transformative potential of advocacy. A tangible illustration of this principle can be seen when a health care provider champions a patient’s need for effective chronic pain management. Such advocacy not only directly benefits the patient but can also instigate changes in institutional practices regarding pain management protocols. The implications of such advocacy have the potential to promote wider systemic reforms within health care systems.

For health care providers to become effective advocates, it is necessary to cultivate and nurture advocacy skills. A critical component of this process involves self-awareness and the ability to assess personal strengths and weaknesses in advocacy. Engaging in self-reflective practice enables health care providers to identify areas for improvement and development, thus fostering a culture of ongoing professional growth and active participation in policy discourse.

Specialized education and training become crucial for the cultivation of advocacy competencies. Programs that address areas such as correctional health care, for example, equip health care providers with the necessary skills to advocate for vulnerable patient populations facing unique challenges. The importance of educational initiatives cannot be overstated; they not only enhance health care advocacy skills but also instill a sense of professional obligation among health care providers to engage in meaningful policy development and institutional change.

Ultimately, advocacy within health care professions is not just a task, but a fundamental aspect of health care providers’ identity – one that requires continuous reflection, education, and action to promote holistic patient care and uphold the dignity and rights of each patient.

Patricia Blair, PhD, JD, MSN, CCHP-RN, CCHP-A, is the 2025 chair of NCCHC’s Governance Board and board liaison of the American Bar Association.

Through this program, you’ll enjoy discounted rates with both National Car Rental and Enterprise. For the best experience, National is recommended for airport rentals, while Enterprise is ideal for local branch rentals.

This is just one more way NCCHC is working to support our community of professionals—both on the road and in their daily work.

Member Benefits:

• Bypass the Counter: With a midsize reservation at National, go directly to the Emerald Aisle at more than 50 major airports in the US and Canada. Choose any car from the Emerald Aisle and be on your way.
• No Second Driver Fees: Never pay extra when family members and business associates do the driving.
• Status Match: A status match will be granted upon review and approval to members with valid elite status in their selected approved program.
• Get Any Car for the Midsize Rate: Choose any car (midsize or above) on the Emerald Aisle and pay only the midsize rate (US and Canada)
• Free Rental Days: Earn rental credit for every qualified car rental. One free rental day equals seven credits. Plus, choose from free rental days or your favorite frequent flyer program.

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to recognize the urgent and often overlooked mental health challenges within correctional settings. Behind prison walls and within correctional workforces, suicide remains a stark reality—one that demands our empathy, support, and meaningful intervention.

Stark Realities, Verified

• Extraordinarily High Suicide Rates Among Correctional Officers
  A study focusing on the Massachusetts Department of Correction from 2010 to 2015 found that correctional officers experienced an average suicide rate of approximately 105 per 100,000—at least seven times higher than the national average of 14 per 100,000. That rate is nearly 12 times higher than Massachusetts’ overall average of 9 per 100,000.¹
• Over 1,200 Law Enforcement and Corrections Suicides (2016–2022)
  From 2016 to 2022, a combined total of 1,287 law enforcement and corrections officers died by suicide—amounting to an average of 184 per year². Within this grouping, approximately 13% were corrections officers, highlighting the broad reach of this crisis³.

Why These Figures Matter

These statistics are more than numbers—they represent prevented lives, families left grieving, and colleagues in need of support. Correctional professionals face a unique combination of stressors: trauma exposure, chronic burnout, and often, inadequate access to mental health resources. Addressing their struggles isn’t just compassionate, it’s imperative.

Your Call to Action: NCCHC Foundation’s Commitment

At the NCCHC Foundation, we’re turning awareness into action with focused initiatives:

• Equipping Staff Through Education
  NCCHC webinars and conference sessions empower correctional personnel to identify signs of suicide risk and intervene quickly. NCCHC’s two-part webinar series in September focuses on preventing suicides among the incarcerated.
• Cultivating Awareness
  Help spread the word. Advocate for mental health programs and peer support systems tailored to correctional environments.
• Honoring Lives While Fostering Hope
  Participate in remembrance events and advocacy projects that transform loss into meaningful prevention.

This September, let’s come together to prioritize mental health and prevent suicide within our facilities and among our staff. Whether it’s participating in a training, donating to support mental health initiatives, or starting a conversation, your efforts make a difference.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org.

Together, we can build a culture of care and compassion—for everyone behind the walls and those who serve them. Thank you for being part of the change.

1. https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/understanding-impacts-corrections-officer-suicide ︎
2. https://www.cna.org/reports/2024/03/Law-Enforcement-Deaths-By-Suicide.pdf ︎
3. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/184-law-enforcement-officers-die-suicide-year-report/story?id=108260786 ︎

Ms. Violette holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s in social work, both from the University of Connecticut, with a focus on mental health and substance abuse. She is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor in Connecticut and Massachusetts, a Tobacco Treatment Specialist, and a Certified Correctional Health Professional. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her leadership in expanding access to evidence-based addiction treatment, reentry planning, and MOUD delivery within correctional settings.

In her role, Ms. Violette will conduct and oversee OTP and mental health accreditation surveys, support surveyors and facilities with on the related requirements, and contribute to other NCCHC accreditation activities.

“Mental health care in correctional facilities has entered a new era, and the 2026 Standards reflect that shift,” said Amy Panagopoulos, MBA, RN, CCHP, NCCHC Vice President of Accreditation/Chief Nursing Officer. “From suicide prevention to treatment planning, these updates prioritize the dignity and well-being of patients while equipping professionals with practical, clear, and modernized standards.”

What’s New: Key Concepts Introduced in 2026

1. Streamlined and Restructured

• The manuals have seven sections instead of nine and the number of Standards has been reduced to 52 from 58.
• Manuals have been reorganized to align with the structure of the 2026 Jail and Prison Standards.
• Interpretive Guidance has replaced the Discussion section, and every Standard includes a section on Supporting Survey Documentation.

• Clear delineation of QMHP vs. QHCP roles for mental health screening and evaluation.
• Enhanced triage and referral expectations to ensure timely, clinically appropriate care.

3. Stronger Focus on Suicide Prevention

B-03: Suicide Prevention and Intervention in 2026 builds on the 2015 Standards but introduces safety precaution monitoring of individuals at risk of suicide as well as those who engage in self-harm, reinforces the use of closed circuit television to supplement monitoring but not substitute for direct staff observations, and now requires patient follow-up by a QMHP once an individual has been removed from safety precautions.

4. Modernized Terminology and Person-Centered Language

The 2026 edition removes outdated, stigmatizing language (e.g., “inmate with mental illness”) in favor of people-first terms like “individual receiving mental health care.”

5. Integrated Care and Cross-Disciplinary Coordination

• New emphasis on collaborative case management planning between custody, medical, and mental health staff.
• Mental health’s role in medical screenings is more explicitly defined, and joint documentation practices are encouraged.
• Facilities are guided to establish interdisciplinary treatment teams for patients with serious mental illness.

6. Mental Health in Restrictive Housing and Residential Units, as well as Workforce Preparedness

• The 2026 Standards take a more proactive, trauma-informed stance on both patient care and staff training.
• G-02: Restrictive Housing introduces stringent requirements for mental health rounds.
• New Standard C-09: Orientation for MH Staff requires basic and in-depth orientation for mental health staff. The required training should help support staff acclimate to the unique challenges of working in a correctional environment and raise their effectiveness in working with patients.

Why It Matters

“The 2026 updates go far beyond routine revisions—they represent a fundamental rethinking of how mental health care should be delivered in correctional settings,” said Wendy Habert, MBA, CCHP-A, Director of Accreditation. “We are deeply grateful to the many experts who generously contributed their time, insight, and talent to make these updates possible.”

Implementation Timeline

Facilities pursuing NCCHC mental health accreditation and must comply with the 2026 Mental Health Standards beginning April 1, 2026. The CCHP-MH exam will also require the 2026 edition starting April 1.

How to Order

The Standards can be ordered from the NCCHC online store. The Standards are available in print and digital access.

Topics include:

• Contraception
• Miscarriage
• Abortion (where legal)
• Pregnancy
• Vaginitis
• Gynecologic Procedures and Pain Management
• Menopause
• Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
• STIs

ReproHH is available Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4 pm PT (11 am – 7 pm ET), excluding holidays and can be reached at 1-844-ReproHH (1-844-737-7644). Learn more and review the terms of service at reprohh.ucsf.edu.

Ms. Taylor’s term on the Board of Trustees begins on November 2, 2025, and will continue through 2028. In this role, she will contribute to the critical task of overseeing the CCHP program, which includes responsibilities such as shaping examination content, evaluating scoring processes, and awarding CCHP and specialty certifications to qualified candidates.

Ms. Taylor began her career as a staff nurse, and as such, she emphasizes that “she has firsthand knowledge of the unique challenges of correctional health care.” In her candidate statement, she notes that “I am passionate about improving the quality of care, advocating for patients, and ensuring that health care in correctional facilities meets the highest standards of professionalism and human dignity. I believe it is important for patients to return to the community in better health than when they arrived.” She also noted “I believe that equipping staff with knowledge and understanding of the standards and facilitating CCHP certification is the key to improving health outcomes in a carceral setting.”

The NCCHC Board of Trustees thanks all of the CCHPs who took the time to vote in the election and looks forward to welcoming Ms. Taylor back. She previously served on the Board from 2017-2020.

This partnership is our way of giving back to you—the hardworking, compassionate professionals who care for justice-involved patients every day. We’re proud to offer you this important resource to protect your loved ones and plan for the future.

With FreeWill, you can:
• Create or update your will or revocable living trust
• Designate beneficiaries for retirement plans and life insurance policies
• Learn about non-cash giving options such as stocks, real estate, or charitable IRA distributions
• Include an optional legacy gift to the NCCHC Foundation, ensuring our mission continues for years to come—with no impact to your current cash flow.

If you choose to include the Foundation in your estate plans, your future gift will help us build a sustainable, long-term path forward—expanding access, education, and opportunity across correctional health care.

Start your plan today—it’s completely free and only takes about 20 minutes:

Thank you for all you do to care for others. Together, we’re shaping the future of correctional health care.

Antimicrobial resistance – born from widespread overprescribing of antibiotics – is a global threat, becoming an increasingly common cause of hospitalization and death. People who are incarcerated have higher rates of several bacterial infections, including cellulitis, pneumonia, and dental infections, and those infections lead to high rates of antibiotic usage in jails and prisons. 

Antibiotic stewardship is an approach aimed at decreasing the use of unnecessary antibiotics. Until recently, most clinical providers believed prescribing antibiotics to be the safest and most effective way to treat many common infections. However, antibiotics are not without risks: each has various side effects ranging from nausea and vomiting to bone marrow suppression, as well as risks for secondary infections.

Decreasing antibiotic use has several benefits besides slowing antimicrobial resistance; the most direct is lowering the risk of side effects. Shorter antibiotic courses have lower risks for nausea, fever, diarrhea, and more serious complications.

Shorter courses are also less expensive, saving money without compromising outcomes. By staying up to date on prescription practices and guidelines, carceral health care systems could save millions of dollars. And from a staffing point of view, decreasing antibiotics cuts down on the amount of time staff members are on the cellblocks passing the medications. 

The “Shorter Is Better” movement – a term coined and pioneered by Brad Spellberg, MD, Los Angeles General Medical Center’s chief medical officer – advises providers to prescribe short-course antibiotics when clinically appropriate. There are more than 100 trials showing that shorter courses of antibiotics are just as good as long courses in treating certain infections. For those studied infections, the research shows that fewer days of treatment provide equal rates of cure, with lower likelihoods of adverse effects, secondary infections, and bacterial resistance – the key outcomes that the global antimicrobial stewardship movement hopes to achieve.

It is important to note that not everything can be treated with less antibiotics. Prosthetic joint infections, for example, need the full 12-week course – six weeks just won’t cut it. And antibiotics aren’t inherently bad; they save lives every day. We are certainly not suggesting that we need to cut down on all antibiotic use. But health care systems – of any type – should be using the best, most up-to-date evidence possible to determine protocols for antimicrobial prescriptions. Antibiotic use has significant costs, both financially and to our health, and overuse must be taken seriously.

Antimicrobial stewardship teams are a key step in this direction. Becoming more and more established in community and academic medicine, these teams guide prescribing practices that prevent the development of drug-resistant pathogens. 

The next step in this movement is to encourage jails and prisons to review their antibiotics usage and identify opportunities to safely decrease antibiotic prescriptions. The ultimate goal is to treat infections with the shortest and safest course of antibiotics possible. 

Samuel Wilk is a medical student at Tufts University School of Medicine. Alysse Wurcel, MD, MS, is an infectious disease specialist at Boston Medical Center.

For More Information
bradspellberg.com/shorter-is-better

This is your chance to take the stage at one of the most dynamic events in our field, where innovation meets real-world application—and where your voice can make a lasting impact.

Why Present?

This isn’t just a conference. It’s a powerful gathering of professionals committed to improving the standard of care behind bars. By submitting a proposal, you’ll:

Showcase Your Expertise
Whether it’s a groundbreaking program, compelling research, or a creative solution to a common challenge—your insights can educate, inspire, and elevate others.

Connect with Leaders
Step into the spotlight and into a network of top professionals in correctional health care. Share ideas, spark collaborations, and grow your influence.

Advance Your Career
Speaking at NCCHC positions you as a leader and innovator. It’s a mark of distinction that builds credibility and opens new doors.

Drive Quality Improvement
Your contribution can help shape policy, refine best practices, and improve health outcomes for incarcerated individuals nationwide.

What We’re Looking For

We welcome proposals on all facets of correctional health care—from clinical updates and mental health strategies to intake, reentry, policy, and administration. Fresh research, interactive formats, and advanced topics are especially encouraged.

Submission Types

• Educational sessions (teaching or research)
• Lightning sessions (short, high-impact talks)
• Roundtable discussions
• Poster presentations

Explore full submission details and tips in our guidelines.
Submission Deadline: September 12, 2025

Facilities seeking NCCHC accreditation will need to be in compliance with the new Standards starting January 1, 2026. The CCHP exam will reference the new Standards beginning February 25, 2026.

What’s New
The 2026 Standards reflect years of expert input and field-tested insights. Key enhancements include:
• New Section: Supporting Survey Documentation – Each standard now includes a detailed list of recommended documentation to guide facilities in preparing for NCCHC accreditation surveys.
• Expanded Interpretive Guidance – Formerly titled “Discussion,” this section now provides clearer explanations of compliance expectations, required elements, and best practices.
In addition, the Standards are available for the first time in an online digital format. The online format is a single-user license and allows annotation, but does not permit printing or network sharing.

Updated Requirements
• Standard D-06 on Patient Escorts was eliminated, but its provisions are included in Access to Care (A-01)
• Items required within a health record are now detailed in a compliance indicator within Health Records (A-08)
• An administrative review meeting is now required within 90 calendar days and the time period for completing a psychological autopsy for any suicide has been updated to 90 calendar days (A-09)
• A grievance log and discussion of grievances in CQI meetings are now required (A-10)
• Infection control and prevention requirements have been expanded to include information related to negative pressure rooms, management of communicable disease outbreaks, hand hygiene requirements, and disinfection (B-02)
• Annual health assessments and dental examinations are now required under Clinical Preventive Services (B-03).
• Continuation of verified contraception medication is now required upon admission to the facility (B-06)
• Adverse clinical events and near-miss events are now a required discussion in CQI meetings (B-08)
• Credentialing requirements were expanded and now also include telehealth services provided by qualified health care professionals, qualified mental health professionals and providers (C-01)
• Annual peer review requirements are now focused specifically on providers and licensed mental health professionals, while RNs and LPNs/LVNs require annual competency assessments (C-02)
• Additional training topics were added to health training requirements of custody staff (C-04)
• Additional training topics and the requirement of annual training were added to medication administration training to all staff who administer or deliver medications (C-05)
• Health Care Liaison (C-08) and Clinic Space, Equipment, and Supplies (D-03) have been updated to Essential from Important.
• A health care liaison is now required any time qualified health care professionals are not on-site (C-08)
• Additional training topics were added to health staff new hire orientation requirements (C-09)
• Substantial updates/changes were made to pharmaceutical operations to reflect current practice (D-01)
• Information pertaining to annual review of regular diets was joined with information on medical diets so all diet related information appears in one standard (D-05)
• A receiving screening is required within six hours of admission to the facility (E-02)
• An initial health assessment is now required on all incoming individuals (E-04)
• Additional topics were added to the initial mental health screening requirements (E-05)
• Initial oral exams may now be deferred under specific conditions (E-06).
• Discharge planning now includes mandatory support for applying for health insurance before release (E-10).
• A chronic disease management program is now required (F-01)
• Requirements were added for facilities with an acute residential mental health unit on-site (F-02)
• MOUD protocols and SUD services are addressed in a renamed and expanded F-03 standard.
• Additional requirements for pregnant patients, postpartum care, and pregnancy loss were added (F-05)
• Standards such as Infirmary-Level Care (F-06) and Care for the Terminally Ill (F-07) now apply to all facilities, regardless of whether these services are provided on-site.
• Contact frequency information has been updated for those in restrictive housing (G-02)
• Psychotropic medications now require documented informed consent (G-05)

New and Renamed Standards
One new Standard has been added as an Important standard, Gender-Affirming Health Care Services (F-08). This Standard gives guidance to facilities on providing multidisciplinary care to support and affirm gender identity.

These Standards have been renamed:
• A-02: Responsible Health Authority and Designated Health Staff (formerly Responsible Health Authority)
• A-07: Confidentiality and Privacy of Care (formerly Privacy of Care)
• A-09: Procedure in the Event of a Death (formerly Procedure in the Event of an Inmate Death)
• B-02 Infection Prevention and Control (formerly Infectious Disease Prevention and Control)
• B-06 Contraception Services (formerly Contraception)
• C-02: Clinical Peer Review and Competency Assessment (formerly Clinical Performance Enhancement).
• C-04: Health Training for Custody Staff (formerly Health Training for Correctional Officers)
• C-06: Incarcerated Workers In Health Services (formerly Inmate Workers)
• D-02: Medication Administration Services (formerly Medication Services).
• D-05: Nutrition Services (formerly Medical Diets)
• E-07: Nonemergent Health Care Requests and Services (formerly Nonemergency Health Care Requests and Services)
• E-08: Nurse-Initiated Protocols and Procedures (formerly Nursing Assessment Protocols and Procedures)
• F-01: Chronic Disease Management and Specialized Health Care Services (formerly Patients with Chronic Disease and Other Special Needs)
• F-03: Services for Substance Use Disorder (formerly Medically Supervised Withdrawal)
• F-05: Care of the Pregnant and Postpartum Patient (formerly Counseling and Care of the Pregnant Inmate).
• G-02: Restrictive Housing (formerly Segregated Inmates).

A Commitment to Quality
“These revisions reflect our commitment to continually advancing correctional health care,” said Amy Panagopoulos, BSN, RN, CCHP, Chief Nursing Office/Vice President of Accreditation. “The 2026 Standards integrate current medical knowledge, emphasize equity and access, and provide jails with the tools needed to deliver safe, ethical, and constitutionally appropriate care.”

“We could not have done this without the time, commitment, and expertise of many volunteers. These Standards will help facilities improve patient care, avoid adverse events, and improve safety for staff and the incarcerated,” said Wendy Habert, Director of Accreditation.

For More Information
The new Standards can be ordered now from the NCCHC online store. For more information, visit ncchc.org/online-bookstore.

The concept of moral injury, originally studied among military personnel, is gaining recognition as a critical issue in health care – especially in settings as complex as correctional facilities. In an environment where the line between care and punishment is sometimes blurred, correctional health professionals face situations where their duties as caregivers conflict with institutional policies focused on safety and security. That conflict can leave them vulnerable to moral injury: profound psychological distress resulting from actions or inactions that go against deeply held moral beliefs.

A Soul Wound
Moral injury refers to the emotional and psychological suffering that occurs when individuals feel they have betrayed their moral values, particularly when working in high-stakes environments. That could be due to following orders that violate their professional ethical codes or failing to prevent harm due to institutional restrictions. Unlike burnout, which is characterized by exhaustion, and post-traumatic stress disorder, often related to physical danger, moral injury is more closely associated with guilt, shame, and a feeling of having compromised one’s ethical principles.

When health professionals find themselves unable to provide the patient care they know is right or must participate in actions they find morally unacceptable, they experience a “soul wound” that can significantly impact their mental health and their ability to continue practicing effectively.

For the past two years, I served as the principal investigator on an exploratory study on moral injury among correctional health professionals. This phenomenological, qualitative study included in-depth interviews with 25 correctional health professionals across the U.S. Participants included nurses, physicians, mental health professionals, dietitians, recreational therapists, and more. The findings, recently published in the “Journal of Correctional Health Care,” highlight how moral injury manifests in their work.

The interviews reveal that moral injury is not only present in this field but is nearly unavoidable. Participants described working in correctional health care as emotionally taxing, requiring them to constantly navigate ethical dilemmas while recognizing the limitations on their ability to care for their patients. My research assistant, Camille Dysart, and I identified five major themes, which I outline here.

Moral Injury as Occupational Hazard
Moral injury is a part of the job for correctional health professionals. All 25 interviewees reported experiencing some form of moral injury, often describing their work as being emotionally overwhelming and morally complex. They expressed feelings of anger, frustration, regret, shame, and helplessness in response to situations in which their professional roles conflicted with their moral beliefs.

Many participants initially did not have a name for the feelings they were experiencing. Learning the term “moral injury” provided them with validation and clarity, helping them better understand their emotional and psychological responses to their work. Most of those interviewed reported that the concept of moral injury was enlightening. One described wishing their colleagues and leadership knew that moral injury is “truly a wound” and said, “The more it builds up, the bigger the wound gets…and it’s hard to stop the bleeding once it starts.” Another shared that it felt like a “silent injury,” emphasizing that the harm experience is not always visible, even to those around them, which makes it difficult to address or seek help.

Types of Moral Injury: Incidental vs. Cumulative
The study found that moral injuries can be incidental or cumulative. Both types were common among the individuals to whom we spoke.

Incidental injuries occur from one-time, intensely distressing events, for instance, a specific case where a health professional was unable to provide necessary care due to security policies or administrative restrictions. One participant recounted an event in which health staff were forced to administer AED shocks while a patient was kept in metal handcuffs during resuscitation efforts. Medical personnel had requested the handcuffs be removed due to safety concerns about electrical conductivity, but custody staff declined the request, despite the patient’s clear incapacitation. This event left the health professionals feeling distressed and powerless, and it deeply affected their sense of duty as care providers.

Cumulative moral injuries build gradually as health professionals are repeatedly exposed to morally compromising situations. One person described cumulative injuries from repeated exposure to excessive use of force on incarcerated individuals while feeling helpless to intervene. These incidents accumulate, leading to a sense of helplessness, disengagement, and emotional fatigue.

Institutional Betrayal: When Systems Fail
Another major theme was institutional betrayal, which refers to the harm caused when organizations that individuals depend on not only fail to prevent harm but also become complicit in perpetuating it. That betrayal can take many forms, such as enforcing cost-cutting measures that compromise care or creating a culture where health professionals must turn a blind eye to unethical practices to maintain employment. Correctional health professionals often feel let down by the institutions they work for, which fail to protect them or adequately support their need to uphold ethical standards.

One individual described the harms of being forced to work with a patient who had repeatedly sexually harassed her, despite requests for reassignment. Another mentioned how management often ignored his concerns about patient neglect or inadequate care, further deepening the sense of betrayal. Combined with at times being mocked and insulted for showing their patients compassion, these experiences underscore how failure to protect correctional health professionals from harm – and sometimes forcing them to engage in morally compromising behaviors – can erode trust and exacerbate moral injury.

Interplay of Moral Injury, Burnout, and PTSD
Moral injury, burnout, and PTSD are distinct but interconnected experiences. Burnout often results from prolonged stress, while PTSD is a response to traumatic events that threaten physical safety. Moral injury, by contrast, is more about ethical conflict and feeling forced to act against one’s moral beliefs.

The degrees of overlap vary greatly depending on each person’s experience. Some interviewees reported that while burnout left them exhausted, moral injury felt like a deeper wound that shook their very sense of self. Some viewed it as a precursor to PTSD, arising from repeated violations of their ethical standards. “When you have repeated attacks on your values and are being asked (or told) to do things that conflict with your values directly…that’s gonna break a person,” said one.

The Road to REPAIR
Despite grappling with the harms of moral injury, correctional health professionals had valuable insights on how to best improve their working conditions. This road to moral repair involves both personal resilience and institutional change.

The people we interviewed (and the literature on moral injury) stress that moral repair must go beyond individual responsibility and should include a systemic approach that addresses root causes. Many recommended integrating discussions of moral injury into training, increasing support from leadership, and fostering a workplace culture that values “moral courage” – the strength to uphold one’s ethical beliefs in difficult situations. This was frequently mentioned as crucial for correctional health professionals.

Based on these insights, we suggest a framework, using the acronym REPAIR, for addressing moral injury in correctional health care. The REPAIR framework, emphasizing the need for recognition, education, moral courage, accountability, and institutional reform, offers a promising path forward,      

Recognition of moral injury: Integrate the concept of moral injury into the lexicon of possible harms, along with burnout, vicarious trauma, and compassion fatigue.

Education about moral injury: Develop and offer structured training to define moral injury and bring it to awareness. Build a “moral injury-informed” culture.

Promote moral courage: Model moral courage from the top down and bottom up. Acknowledge and uphold morally courageous actions.

Acknowledgement and accountability: Commit to developing a culture based on taking responsibility for ethical and moral behaviors. Hire and support leaders who will address root causes and symptoms of moral injury.

Institutional-level interventions: Resist the urge to make moral injury about individual pathology. Leadership accountability is essential.

Reparations: Consult with health professionals about what they need to move toward repair. Do the things requested.

Our study reveals the importance of addressing moral injury in correctional health care, both to support health professionals and to improve the quality of care for incarcerated individuals. For health professionals, understanding moral injury is the first step toward addressing its impacts and working together to create a healthier, more ethically sound environment. Institutions, in turn, have a duty to provide a supportive work environment in which ethical dilemmas are mitigated rather than exacerbated. Building a moral injury-informed culture could lead to improved staff well-being while also creating a more humane environment for all involved. 

Stephanie Gangemi, PhD, LCSW, CCHP, is assistant professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs College of Public Service.

For More Information
Gangemi, S. & Dysart, C. (2024). Moral injury in correctional health care. Journal of Correctional Health Care. https://doi.org/10.1089/jchc.24.04.0036 

Correctional health professionals, in collaboration with local public health agencies and community health care staff, are key stakeholders for diagnosing and treating sexually transmitted infections (STIs). As a guide to correctional health care best practices, my colleagues and I on the NCCHC Research and Policy Committee recently developed a newly revised and updated position statement on Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections. This position statement replaces and expands upon the previously issued NCCHC position statement from 2020 titled STI Testing for Adolescents and Adults Upon Admission to Correctional Facilities.

The new statement updates STI screening, diagnostic, and treatment recommendations based on current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and adds additional recommendations for STI education and prevention. The recommendations provide overarching guidance on when to conduct opt-out admission testing for STIs as well as specific diagnostic strategies such as self-swab specimen collection and implementing point-of-care testing.

The position statement also highlights the important role correctional health professions play in promoting health literacy for individuals in the carceral setting by providing health education and risk reduction counseling regarding STI transmission, prevention, and treatment. Finally, the statement emphasizes the critical public health importance of transition care coordination and discharge planning for treated and untreated patients with confirmed or suspected STIs.  

Our hope is that this updated position statement will serve as a useful and evidence-based blueprint for STI management programs in jails, prisons, and juvenile facilities. Implementation of these recommendations will promote the health of our patients in the carceral setting, advance public health more broadly, and play a strategic role in reversing our nation’s STI epidemic.  

Read the Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections position statement here. See all NCCHC position statements here.

Newton Kendig, MD, is a member of the NCCHC Board of Representatives liaison to the American College of Physicians, vice-chair of the NCCHC Policy and Research Committee, and a professor of medicine at The George Washington University.

At the NCCHC Foundation, we believe in the power of legacy. By including a gift to the Foundation in your will or estate plan, you help create a sustainable future for correctional health care. Your support provides scholarships, training, and leadership development for the next generation of dedicated professionals—ensuring quality care continues behind the walls for years to come.

Planned giving doesn’t require a large estate. Many people make a lasting difference with a non-cash gift.

What Is Non-Cash Giving?

Non-cash giving includes gifts such as:

• A bequest in your will or trust
• Naming the NCCHC Foundation as a beneficiary of your retirement account, life insurance policy, or donor-advised fund
• Gifts of stocks, bonds, or real estate
• Charitable IRA distributions (for those aged 70½+)

These types of gifts offer significant tax benefits, don’t affect your day-to-day finances, and leave a meaningful impact on future generations.

Why Now?

Make Your Will Month is a national reminder that estate planning is not just for the wealthy — it’s for everyone. By taking simple steps today, you can:

• Protect your family
• Ensure your wishes are honored
• Support the causes you care about, like improving correctional health care

Join Our Legacy Society

Donors who commit to a planned gift over $2,500 become members of the Legacy Society. You’ll be recognized for your generosity and vision plus celebrated as a cornerstone of our long-term mission.

Together, we’re shaping the future of correctional health care.During August’s Make-A-Will Month, we invite you to consider your legacy—and the vital role you play in advancing equitable, compassionate care for incarcerated individuals.

And stay tuned—we’re bringing you a special gift to make this process even easier.  This August, take the step. Leave a legacy

July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, spotlighting the mental health challenges faced by BIPOC communities. Systemic barriers, stigma, and lack of culturally competent care continue to impact access and outcomes. This month reminds us of the urgent need for equity-focused solutions across all settings—including corrections. 

July 28 is World Hepatitis Day, drawing attention to the global burden of viral hepatitis. In correctional facilities, hepatitis B and C rates are significantly higher than in the general population. Screening, treatment access, and education are essential tools correctional health professionals use to combat this public health crisis. By educating providers on screening and linkage to care in correctional populations, NCCHC can help support WHO’s 2030 goal to eliminate viral hepatitis through scalable care models in underserved settings. 

At the NCCHC Foundation, we’re proud to support a diverse, informed workforce that advances equitable, compassionate care for all—behind and beyond the walls. 

Did you know that your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) could do more than simply sit and grow? It can actively shape the future of correctional health care.

A DAF is a powerful charitable giving tool that allows you to make a donation, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants from the fund to causes you care about—over time. If you already have a DAF, you’re in a perfect position to make a meaningful difference.

Here are a few questions to consider:

• Would you be willing to recommend a grant from your DAF to support the NCCHC Foundation? Your support helps build a strong correctional health care workforce through scholarships, mentorships, reentry resources, and professional education.
• Could you spread your gift out over multiple months or years? Recurring grants from your DAF help us plan ahead and create sustainable programs. It’s also easier on your budget.
• Do you have a designated beneficiary for your DAF? Naming a nonprofit like the NCCHC Foundation ensures your fund continues supporting important causes even beyond your lifetime.

Whether you’re looking to make an impact today or build a lasting legacy, your DAF can be a bridge between your values and real, measurable changes in correctional health care.

Take action today.
Ask your fund advisor to designate the NCCHC Foundation as a grant recipient—or let us know if we can assist you with the process.

Together, we can shape a healthier, more equitable future for patients and professionals alike. And stay tuned—we’re bringing you a special gift soon to make this process even easier. 
____________________________________________________________________________________

Official Name: 

NCCHC Correctional Health Foundation        FEIN#: 83-3441192
1145 W. Diversey Parkway     Chicago, IL 60614

The panel identified key roles and opportunities for pharmacists in corrections, including:

• Pharmacists can help provide education, oversight, and guidance for other staff and help identify opportunities for cost savings and changes that reduce administrative burden.
• Pharmacists can expand quality and establish connections with area hospitals and public health officials.
• Pharmacists can help incarcerated patients manage chronic conditions and provide guidance on medication adherence and compliance.
• Pharmacists can leverage technology, AI, and other innovations to provide meaningful clinical medication profiles and reduce staff burden.

The webinar and white paper are posted on the ASCP website.

• 9 earned the CCHP-Mental Health (CCHP-MH) specialty certification
• 5 earned the CCHP-Clinical Provider (CCHP-CP) specialty certification
• 15 earned the CCHP-Registered Nurse (CCHP-RN) specialty certification

Matissa Sammons, MA, CCHP, NCCHC Vice President of Certification, said “I want to especially call attention to the 40% growth we’ve had in new CCHP-RNs this year. Nurses are the backbone of health care operations and we’re very proud to have a program that recognizes their critical role. Of course, everyone contributes to a quality correctional health care program. Together, we’re building a workforce grounded in excellence and united by a shared mission.” 

Download lists of these individuals here:

CCHP
CCHP-MH
CCHP-CP
CCHP-RN

The CCHP board of trustees congratulates them all. The certifications were effective July 1, 2025.

Learn more at ncchc.org/professional-certification.  New NCCHC Jail/Prison Health Care Standards and Mental Health Care Standards and will be released in August and September and all exams will be updated in early 2026. Take your exam in 2025 and get tested on the current Standards. 

Education Department

Ana Olivares is the new Education Manager. She was formerly the Senior Manager for Global Health Education for the American Academy of Pediatrics. Prior to AAP, Ana worked in related roles at the Society Of Surgical Oncology and the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. She will be working on growing NCCHC’s online educational offerings, compliance with education accreditors such as ACCME, and supporting NCCHC’s in-person national conferences.

Accreditation Department

Janet Pimentel has been announced as the new Post-Survey Accreditation Coordinator. Janet previously worked at The Joint Commission as a Senior Board Editorial Specialist for the Department of Governance and Corporate Affairs. She will be responsible for producing final facility reports for health standards accreditation and certificates and managing Accreditation Committee meeting operations.

Liz Catalano is a new Accreditation Coordinator, responsible for processing new applications, guiding applicants through the process, and producing facility reports for OTP and mental health accreditation. Prior to joining NCCHC, Liz provided consultation, training, and technical assistance to corrections and community-based recipients of Second Chance Act grants through TASC’s Center for Health & Justice. Earlier in her career, she provided therapeutic and support services to justice-involved youths and their families in Illinois.

NCCHC Resources

Leah Fucile brings over three decades of leadership in the public and private sectors to the position of project manager for NCCHC Resources. She recently retired as Director of the Administrative Operations Bureau for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department where she managed over $65 million worth of contracts, including medical and mental health, foodservice, library, telephone, and transportation. She also provided oversight for an $80 million dollar jail renovation project and was instrumental in the acquisition and maintenance of NCCHC accreditation for health and mental health.

Olivares

Pimentel

Catalano

Fucile

Many of the people coming into our jails and prisons are not only marginalized by society, they also suffer from a range of unmet health needs. These individuals come from some of the most underserved and neglected communities, and their health, already compromised, is often worsened by inadequate care – or, in some cases, no care at all.

It became clear to me that the justice system, tasked with the duty of upholding law and order, was failing to meet the basic human rights of those in its care. The absence of proper health care not only affects the well-being of these individuals but also poses a larger threat to public health overall. And this is why I remain so passionate about correctional health care – it’s not just about improving care within our facilities, it’s about understanding that the health of justice-involved individuals is a public health issue.

Over the years, there have been moments of progress, but they have not come easily. It has taken relentless advocacy, consent decrees issued by courts of law, decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court, and the tireless efforts of organizations like NCCHC to drive much-needed reforms. These victories have helped elevate quality of care, but the fact remains: we are not where we need to be.

Our work is about much more than just providing health care. It’s about recognizing the dignity of every human being, regardless of the circumstances that brought them into the justice system. It’s about addressing health inequities, mitigating the effects of social determinants of health, and ultimately creating a healthier, more just society.

I firmly believe that how we treat the most vulnerable among us is a direct reflection of our nation’s values.

Hubert H. Humphrey once said, “The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy, and the handicapped.”

These words resonate deeply with me, and I believe they hold up a mirror to our collective responsibilities.

We must rise to the challenge of improving health care for those who are in the “shadows” – those whose voices are often silenced, those who lack access to basic resources, and those who are often forgotten by society. And that includes the incarcerated.

In my role as Board chair, I am committed to working alongside all of you to advocate for national standards, more comprehensive care, and a justice system that acknowledges the humanity of every individual it touches. Together, we have the power to bring about meaningful change – not just in the lives of those behind bars but in the health and well-being of our nation as a whole.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication to correctional health care.

Patricia Blair, PhD, JD, MSN, CCHP-RN, CCHP-A, is the 2025 chair of NCCHC’s Governance Board and board liaison of the American Bar Association.

35 Scholars, One Shared Mission
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, the NCCHC Foundation has awarded scholarships to 35 emerging professionals so far in 2025. This includes 15 Spring Conference scholars, 10 Mental Health Conference scholars attending later this month, and 10 CCHP certification scholarships to help professionals deepen their expertise and advance their careers. These individuals represent the future of correctional health care—emerging leaders who are already making an impact in facilities across the country. The scholarship portal is open until July 7 at noon (central time) for the National Conference.

Introducing the Joseph E. Paris Memorial Lecture Series
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Joseph E. Paris Memorial Lecture Series, established through a generous endowed gift from an anonymous donor. This annual plenary and/or webinar will kick off at the NCCHC National Conference in Baltimore this November, headlining Monday’s plenary session. It honors Dr. Paris’s legacy by advancing education and leadership in the field he helped shape as an NCCHC Board member.

Join us this November in Baltimore!
Discover multiple ways to engage with the NCCHC Foundation during the National Conference, including:

• Artists in Residence – a booth activity featuring handcrafted goods created by incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals.
• Foundation Raffle – enter to win exciting exhibitor-donated prizes.
• Cruise for a Cause Fundraiser – enjoy a Bottomless Mimosa Brunch Cruise on Sunday, November 2, along Baltimore’s beautiful Inner Harbor.

Be part of the movement to support scholarships, reentry initiatives, and workforce development in correctional health care!

Be a Part of What’s Next
There are still exciting ways to make a meaningful impact with the NCCHC Foundation in 2025. Whether you’re an individual looking to leave a legacy or a corporation seeking national visibility, your partnership fuels vital initiatives—from scholarships and workforce development to reentry programs.

Support starts at just $2,500 as a Bronze Partner or make a bold statement as a Diamond Partner at $100,000+. You can also engage through interactive opportunities like the Corporate Giving Cup, Exhibitor Raffle Experience, or Step-Up Challenge—each designed to boost your visibility while advancing our mission.

Looking for alignment with your company’s goals? Whether it’s career development, conference engagement, educational webinars, or scholarships, we offer customizable sponsorships to match your priorities—and maximize your impact.

Let’s carry this momentum forward. With your continued support, we’re building a stronger, more compassionate correctional health care workforce—and the best is yet to come.

Thank you for thriving with us. Please call 773-880-1460 ext 290 or email Julie if you would like to discuss donations, legacy giving or sponsorships.

A: It’s true! NCCHC is revising our standards for jails, prisons, and mental health programs.The updated jail and prison standards manuals will be available by the end of the summer; mental health standards will be available this fall. Facilities seeking initial accreditation or reaccreditation in 2026 will be surveyed under the new standards starting January 1, 2026.

NCCHC will begin educating facilities on the new standards during the 2025 mental health conference in July and national conference in November. The CCHP exam will be based on the new standards beginning six months after release of the new manuals.

The process for updating the standards is thorough and comprehensive. The standards are developed with input from correctional thought leaders, clinical and administrative correctional professionals, professional associations, academic organizations, leading correctional organizations, and NCCHC surveyors. The standards are informed by expert consensus, professional guidelines, and law and regulation. New standards added to the manual support patient safety, quality of care, and efficiency.

The basic structure of the standards manuals will remain the same – each standard is described in an intent statement followed by a list of compliance indicators. NCCHC is excited to share that the new manuals provide substantially more support to facilities with enhanced interpretive guidance that puts each standard in context and helps users understand the intent of the standard.

There is also a new section for each standard called Supporting Survey Documentation, which provides recommendations as to what the accreditation surveyors will expect to see during a survey to confirm compliance with the standard.

The new manuals will be the same size, shape, and color as the existing manuals for ease in identification; they will now be spiral-bound for added convenience.

Anticipated publication dates are August 15 for jail and prison standards and October 1 for mental health standards. NCCHC will alert the field when the new manuals are available to order through the NCCHC website. Stay tuned!

At the NCCHC Foundation, we believe lifelong learning is one of the most powerful tools correctional health professionals can use to improve patient care, strengthen systems, and elevate the standard of practice behind the walls.

Supporting Continuous Growth, From Early Career to Expert

Whether you’re just beginning your journey in correctional health care or have spent decades serving this complex population, NCCHC offers a range of educational opportunities designed to meet you where you are — and help you go further:

• National and Regional Conferences: With sessions led by experienced professionals, NCCHC’s conferences provide access to the latest clinical guidelines, policy updates, and best practices. Attendees gain valuable continuing education credits and connect with peers from across the country.
• Live and On-Demand Webinars: Covering timely topics like infectious disease, mental health, substance use, and health equity, our Foundation-sponsored webinars are free and accessible to a broad audience of professionals working in corrections.
• CCHP Certification Programs: The Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP) credential demonstrates your commitment to excellence and sets a recognized standard for knowledge and competence in the field. Scholarships are available to help make certification more accessible.
• The NCCHC Foundation Career Center: A growing hub for educational articles, job postings, coaching, and career planning — all designed to support lifelong learning and career advancement in correctional health care.

Empowering Professionals, Elevating Care

When correctional health care providers invest in their own education, the benefits ripple outward — improving health outcomes, supporting team collaboration, and fostering innovation in facilities across the nation.

We are proud to support this lifelong journey of learning. Through donor-funded scholarships, free webinars, and professional development resources, the NCCHC Foundation is helping build a stronger, more informed correctional health workforce.

Here are some highlights that correctional health professionals should be aware of:

• Adults and adolescents with drug-susceptible pulmonary TB disease can be treated in four months instead of six.
• New all-oral regimens for multidrug- and rifampin-resistant TB disease shorten treatment duration from 15 months to six months.

The panel recommends a six-month treatment regimen (BPaLM) of bedaquiline (B), pretomanid (P), linezolid (L), and moxifloxacin (M) for people aged 14 years or older with rifampin-resistant, fluoroquinolone-susceptible pulmonary TB disease. The panel recommends a six-month treatment regimen (BPaL) of bedaquiline (B), pretomanid (P), and linezolid (L) for people aged 14 years or older with rifampin-resistant pulmonary TB disease and fluoroquinolone resistance or intolerance. These regimens are also treatment options for people with an intolerance of rifampin.

The guidelines are meant for low-incidence settings where mycobacterial cultures, molecular and phenotypic drug susceptibility tests, and radiographic studies, among other diagnostic tools, are available on a routine basis. Directly observed therapy and integrated case management remain the standard of care.

Working in corrections presents unique challenges, making it more important than ever to prioritize your own health while caring for others.

Did You Know?

• Men are more likely to delay seeking care for health issues, often prioritizing work or other responsibilities.
• Correctional environments can add stressors that impact both physical and mental health.

This week, take a moment to check in on your health:

• Schedule a preventive health checkup.
• Take breaks to recharge and reduce stress.
• Engage in activities that boost physical and mental well-being, like exercise or mindfulness.

Resources for You and Your Patients:

• Webinars: Learn about health topics like stress management and chronic disease prevention.
• Articles: Practical tips for maintaining health in high-stress environments.

Men’s Health Week is not just about awareness—it’s about action. Let’s work together to build a healthier correctional health care community.

Take care of yourself, so you can keep making a difference every day.

These scholarships are far more than travel stipends. They’re investments in the future of correctional health care—and in the people bold enough to lead it forward. For many recipients, the experience is life-changing. In April, the Foundation brought 14 scholarship winners to the NCCHC Spring Conference.

“This would not be possible, literally, without the generous donations of the Foundation. The fact that the Foundation prioritizes getting people like me to these events to be exposed to all of this great knowledge and networking… it’s really amazing.” – Danielle Hadley-Burkhead, RN
“I’ve met my people.” – Kimberly Dawson, MSN, RN

Two of this year’s recipients have lived experience and have come full circle to give back to their communities.

“It’s been amazing being able to establish rapport with the individuals and looking them in the eye and saying I get it and their face just lights up. My favorite thing to tell them, I say, yeah, I’m a corrections officer. I have a badge number. It’s 2290, but I also have a Louisiana DOC number. It’s 493057.” — Laura Stanley

Scholarship recipients gain more than education and networking—they gain a sense of belonging and the inspiration to continue their work in a challenging field.

“Having a mentor who works in a capacity similar to my own is going to carry on long after this conference ends.” – Julie Hart, MSA
“Just feeling really supported has been incredibly validating and reminds me I’m right where I need to be.” – Bianca Padilla, LPC

The Scholarship portal is open for the 2025 National Conference on Correctional Health Care, taking place November 1-5 in Baltimore. Learn more!

Share your story by June 25. Everyone will be entered into a drawing for an NCCHC Fleece jacket. Everyone who shares a video will receive an NCCHC Foundation Challenge Coin.

Record a quick video
Snap a selfie
Type in a quote, email, or short message

Whether you’re:

• Grateful for a scholarship opportunity
• Inspired by a mentor or speaker at one of our conferences
• Passionate about working in correctional health care
• Want to share a tip for new professionals
• Or just want to say “thank you” for the work being done…

We want to hear from YOU.

Tell us why you support the NCCHC Foundation
Did you have a meaningful personal experience? A desire to grow the workforce? A way to give back to a field that’s often overlooked? Are you a Legacy Society member who wants to share why it’s crucial to provide support? Your story can encourage others to give, too.

Your voice matters. Your story can uplift others. And yes — we may even feature your submission in future Foundation marketing, videos, or at our booth! Everyone who shares their story will be entered into a drawing for a Foundation challenge coin!

Help us show the world what makes this field powerful, compassionate, and resilient. We welcome you to the table. Leave your mark.

Women in Corrections: Facing Deep Health Disparities

Although women make up a smaller percentage of the incarcerated population, they face significantly higher rates of chronic illness, mental health issues, substance use disorders, and trauma. Many enter correctional settings with long-neglected health needs — and limited access to quality care inside.

These challenges stem from deeper societal inequities in health access, income, education, and safety. If we’re serious about gender equity, we must prioritize the health and dignity of women behind bars.

How the NCCHC Foundation Is Accelerating Action

We’re committed to supporting the correctional health care professionals who serve these women every day — and equipping them with the tools and knowledge to make a difference. In 2025, we are accelerating action by:

• Providing Scholarships: Helping early-career professionals and supporting a diverse correctional health care workforce — including women from underrepresented backgrounds — ensures compassionate, culturally responsive care. (Apply for a Scholarship for National Conference 2025 through July 7)
• Offering Specialized Education: Free live webinars along with on-demand webinars for only $69 like Women’s Health in Corrections: Evidence-Based Updates and Practical Strategies explore the unique needs of incarcerated women and promote evidence-based care.
• Expanding Mentorship: Our workforce initiatives create space for more women to lead and be supported in correctional health careers, strengthening both individual professionals and the field as a whole.

Together, We Move Forward

Accelerating action for women means ensuring they are seen, respected, and cared for — even behind the walls. At the NCCHC Foundation, we’re proud to stand at the intersection of gender equity and correctional health care.

Older women, widows, and single women are increasingly significant financial decision-makers, directing their wealth toward causes they care about most. Their giving patterns reflect a strategic and relationship-driven approach—focusing on long-term impact, equity, and sustainability rather than transactional gifts.

At the NCCHC Foundation, every gift—large or small—directly supports programs that strengthen the correctional health care workforce, provide professional development for clinicians, and improve outcomes for patients behind bars. When women give with purpose, they help shape a more equitable, effective future for one of our nation’s most underserved health populations.

That’s the power of intentional giving. Whether through investments, estate planning, or strategic asset donations, today’s philanthropists—especially women—are defining the future of charitable impact. If you’re looking for ways to make your giving more meaningful and aligned with your values, we’re here to help.

Download our Planned Giving Brochure or reach out today to [email protected]. Together, we can turn purpose into legacy—and continue the tradition of women leading the way.

Judon, the first woman of color to be elected first vice president of the AJA, brings more than 25 years of experience in correctional operations and administrative management to her new role on the board. She is an active participant in community program public safety initiatives and highly experienced in specialized unit management. She is also a Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP) through NCCHC, a Certified Jail Manager (CJ) through AJA, and a certified general instructor and trainer.

She received a Master of Science in forensic psychology from Nova Southeastern University and a bachelor’s degree in social work from Florida Atlantic University.

“It is a privilege to represent the American Jail Association on the NCCHC board of representatives,” she said. “I am honored to help bridge two essential missions: advancing correctional leadership and professional growth, and advocating for quality health care in jails, prisons, and juvenile facilities.

“AJA’s commitment to developing informed, effective leaders complements NCCHC’s vital work in setting standards of care. I see tremendous value in collaborating with NCCHC to promote healthier, more effectively managed jail communities. Together, we can elevate both the professionals who lead our facilities and the well-being of those in our custody.”

She replaces former AJA liaison Oscar Aviles, CJM, CCE, CCHP, deputy county administrator of Hudson County (NJ), who completed his term on the NCCHC board. He has joined the board of NCCHC Resources, the organization’s consulting subsidiary.

NCCHC has released a free on-demand webinar focusing on the unique public health challenges of measles prevention and response in prisons, jails, and detention centers. Alysse Wurcel, MD, MS, an infectious disease specialist, addresses important details about measles, including structural factors that heighten outbreak risks in carceral environments and evidence-based strategies for prevention including vaccination. Get specific actions to prepare for measles in your facility or agency. Includes one hour of CE.

In addition, the Centers for Disease Control Centers and Prevention has released a measles tool kit for the general population and is expected to release one soon for correctional environments.

Correctional officers maintain order, respond to crises, and support access to care. Their vigilance and partnership with health teams make effective treatment possible.

Correctional nurses deliver compassionate, skilled care in a uniquely challenging environment. From intake to emergencies, they are vital to managing chronic illness, mental health, and public health.

Together, officers and nurses form the backbone of correctional health care. NCCHC thanks you for your professionalism, resilience, and commitment to improving lives.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and according to Mental Health America, this year the theme is “Turn Awareness into Action.”  Over the next month, we should take time to acknowledge the importance of mental health and move toward concrete actions that improve mental health.  The NCCHC Foundation has taken up this pledge by bringing awareness to the mental health of the professionals working within our prisons, jails, youth facilities, and detention centers. Behind the walls, mental health and medical professionals work tirelessly to address the needs of a vulnerable population often living with untreated, undertreated, or undiagnosed conditions. Mental health and medical professionals work in facilities that were not designed to provide the volume of health and mental health services our patients require, staffing ratios which do not support the delivery of basic services, and custody shortages that can at best, compromise access to care, and at worst, compromise safety.

In the spirit of turning awareness into action, let’s explore strategies for supporting the mental health of correctional mental health and medical staff, who often face immense pressure and stress.

1. Peer Support & Debriefing
   o Provide access to peer support groups and post-incident debriefings.
   o Give yourself and others the space and time needed to work through dangerous and traumatic events.
   o Advocate for formal de-briefing services for staff
2. Access to Mental Health Resources
   o Offer confidential counseling (EAP), mental health days, and easy access to support.
   o Provide support to those around us with mental health conditions the same way we support those with physical health conditions.
3. Trauma-Informed & Resilience Training
   o Deliver training on trauma, stress management, and self-care tailored for corrections.
   o Remain aware and promote awareness of the fact that trauma has an impact on how we see the world and how we navigate our lives. Providing individuals with choice and validating emotional experiences are steps we can take with everyone, every day.
4. Leadership & Communication
   o Ensure leadership visibly supports staff well-being and encourages open dialogue about stress.
   o Leadership should support adequate time for breaks and meals to counteract staffing shortages.
5. Workload & Safety
   o Advocate for adequate staffing, flexible scheduling, and safe environments.
   o Make environments safer by promoting respect, open communication, and reality-based solutions to workload challenges.
6. Recognition & Community
   o Acknowledge staff contributions and build a supportive team culture.
   o Practice gratitude and openly acknowledge when things go right, routinely.
7. Ongoing Assessment
   o Regularly survey staff and adapt programs based on feedback.

Let us continue to advocate for holistic, compassionate care for everyone…our patients and ourselves!

• 82 earned the Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP) credential
• 4 earned the CCHP-Mental Health (CCHP-MH) specialty certification
• 2 earned the CCHP-Clinical Provider (CCHP-CP) specialty certification
• 4 earned the CCHP-Registered Nurse (CCHP-RN) specialty certification
• 1 earned the CCHP-Advanced (CCHP-A) credential

“Each new certification represents a personal and professional milestone. Our CCHPs are raising the standard of care in correctional settings and advancing a culture of excellence. We’re proud to welcome them to this growing community of dedicated professionals,” said Matissa Sammons, MA, CCHP, NCCHC Vice President of Certification.

Download lists of these individuals here:

CCHP
CCHP-MH
CCHP-CP
CCHP-RN
CCHP-A

The CCHP board of trustees congratulates them all. The certifications were effective April 1, 2025.

Learn more at ncchc.org/professional-certification.  New NCCHC Jail/Prison Health Care Standards and Mental Health Care Standards and will be released in late summer and all exams will be updated in early 2026. Take your exam in 2025 and get tested on the current Standards. 

The NCCHC Foundation is proud to unveil the Legacy Society, a new recognition circle that honors individuals who make a lasting commitment to the future of correctional health care through planned giving.

Members of the Legacy Society are visionaries—people who believe in equity, access, and compassionate care for incarcerated populations. By including the NCCHC Foundation in their estate plans—whether through cash donations, a bequest, trust, retirement account, life insurance policy, or other gifts—these forward-thinking donors ensure that vital programs like scholarships, workforce development, education, research, and reentry support continue for generations to come.

Since the Foundation’s inception in 2020, we’ve seen how generosity fuels meaningful change. The Legacy Society builds on that momentum by offering a powerful way to leave a legacy of care, healing, and hope.

Legacy gifts of $5,000 or more—whether pledged now or planned for the future—qualify for membership. Donors may choose to be publicly acknowledged or remain anonymous. Contributions made since 2020 count toward the $5,000 or more total.

To join, download and submit the Legacy Society Declaration Form or contact us at [email protected]. Once we receive your Declaration Form, we will include you on conference signage and other relevant materials.

Together, we’re creating a legacy of care and compassion.

The survey will provide foundational information and guidance for NIC’s future work to improve the health and wellness of our correctional professionals.  The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete. Participants will be asked about their agency, institution and facility type, correctional position, environment, exposure to danger, and working conditions.  The survey also asks some optional demographic questions as well as educational background and years in corrections. 

Please respond by May 30, 2025. 

If you have any questions about this research, contact [email protected]   

UMass Lowell Institutional Review Board reference IRB #21-148-ELG-EXM (9/12/2024).

Mary Ann Liebert is the publisher of the Journal of Correctional Health Care.

The surveyors have completed a 12-hour training program that gives all surveyors have a common understanding of the NCCHC surveyor program and NCCHC Standards. In addition, all surveyors must have or obtain a CCHP within one year of training.

This new class of surveyors will shadow experienced surveyors, and conduct and lead surveys as they become fully qualified, following the medical education model of “see one, do one, teach one.”

Shalaine Kress, RN, CCHP, commented “I wanted to become a surveyor because it’s so rewarding to see new facilities and share knowledge. Also, I love correctional health care and want to participate more and hopefully make a difference. The training was great. It really hyped up the amazing value that surveyors have.”

With the growth in accreditation, NCCHC is seeking more surveyors. For more information, contact [email protected].

Give from Your Investments

Donating appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual funds can be a tax-savvy way to support the NCCHC Foundation. Instead of selling investments and paying capital gains taxes, you can contribute the securities directly to the Foundation. This allows you to avoid the tax hit and potentially receive a charitable deduction for the full market value—while helping advance research, education, scholarships, and reentry support in correctional health care.

Name the NCCHC Foundation as a Beneficiary

A simple yet lasting way to give is by naming the NCCHC Foundation as a beneficiary of your retirement accounts, life insurance policies, or donor-advised fund. This option lets you make a future impact with assets you may not need during your lifetime—without affecting your current finances. You can even designate the Foundation as a contingent beneficiary, ensuring your commitment to improving health care in correctional settings lives on, while keeping family priorities first.

Turn Real Assets into Impact

Real estate, land, or valuable personal property can become meaningful gifts. By donating such assets to the NCCHC Foundation, you help convert tangible resources into enduring support for correctional health care initiatives. Some donors even use tools like charitable remainder trusts to generate income for themselves first, before passing the asset on to benefit the Foundation’s mission.

Support a Mission & Secure Your Future

Planned giving vehicles—such as charitable gift annuities or trusts—allow you to support the NCCHC Foundation while ensuring financial stability for yourself or a loved one. These arrangements provide regular income for a set term or lifetime, with the remainder going to the Foundation. It’s a win-win: you support a healthier future for incarcerated individuals while taking care of your own needs.

Let Your Generosity Shape the Future of Correctional Health Care
By giving strategically to the NCCHC Foundation, you amplify your impact and help build a healthier, more just future. Learn more about these options or speak with someone about planned giving. Contact us at [email protected].

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the Western State Sheriff’s Association conference in Reno, Nevada. Sheriffs and correctional leaders from across the western and midwestern states gathered to discuss the pressing issues facing their facilities—particularly in health care. At the NCCHC booth, we had insightful conversations about the challenges correctional facilities are navigating and the solutions they’re seeking. 

The Ongoing Impact of the Opioid Crisis 

The opioid epidemic remains a major concern for jails in the western region, with fentanyl continuing to drive the crisis. Its widespread availability and low cost increase the risk of overdoses and adverse events, particularly in intake areas where new arrivals may be under the influence or experiencing withdrawal. The impact extends beyond those in custody—staff safety is also a growing concern, as they manage these high-risk situations daily. 

One crucial step in addressing this crisis is expanding access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Many conference attendees expressed interest in how to build or enhance MAT programs in their facilities, underscoring the growing recognition of its importance in correctional health care.  Right after the conference, NCCHC released the new Jail Guidelines for the Medical Treatment of Substance Use Disorders 2025. I’m proud to share it with you here.

Mental Health Challenges

Mental health remains a critical issue in correctional settings. Many individuals entering jails arrive in crisis—off their prescribed medications, exhibiting violent tendencies, or engaging in self-harm. This not only poses risks to health care and custody staff but also jeopardizes the safety of other incarcerated individuals. Addressing these needs effectively requires a well-trained, well-supported workforce and access to appropriate mental health services. 

Facilities accredited by NCCHC tend to have better systems in place to manage these challenges. A recent study from researchers at Harvard found that NCCHC-accredited jails had significantly lower mortality rates compared to non-accredited facilities. This research highlights the critical role that structured, high-quality health care programs play in saving lives and improving patient outcomes in custody. 

The Growing Strain on Staffing 

Staffing shortages continue to be one of the biggest challenges across the correctional system. Both health care and custody staff are feeling the strain, directly affecting the ability of facilities to provide essential medical services and maintain security. The stress of understaffing also takes a toll on employee mental health and well-being, further exacerbating retention issues. 

Rising Medical Acuity in Jails 

Nearly everyone I spoke with at the conference reported an increase in the medical complexity of individuals entering custody. Chronic conditions, untreated illnesses, and the cumulative effects of substance use and mental health disorders are placing greater demands on correctional health services. These factors, combined with staffing shortages and security concerns, create a perfect storm that increases the risk of critical incidents. 

Finding Solutions Through Collaboration 

While these challenges can feel overwhelming, the WSSA conference reinforced an important point—no facility is alone in this struggle. Sheriffs and administrators across the country are actively seeking solutions and collaborating on best practices. Whether managing a small rural jail or a large metropolitan facility, the need for an effective, collaborative, and well-supported correctional health care system has never been greater. 

How NCCHC Can Help 

As the national leader in correctional health care, NCCHC is here to support facilities in navigating these challenges. Whether you need technical assistance, accreditation guidance, or educational resources, we’re ready to help. The new Harvard study confirms that NCCHC accreditation not only ensures compliance with best practices but also directly contributes to better health outcomes and fewer in-custody deaths—an essential factor for facilities looking to improve care and mitigate risks. 

If your facility is considering implementing a jail-based MAT program, exploring accreditation, or simply looking for guidance on improving correctional health care, we’re here to help.  If you’d like to meet to discuss the issues you’re seeing in your facility and community, pick a time and let’s talk.

Next, my travels take me to NCCHC’s Spring Conference on Correctional Health Care, where I look forward to connecting with many of you.

Thank you for the work you do, and please stay safe out there! 

Richard Forbus, MBA-HCM, is NCCHC’s vice president of program development.

To support informed decision-making and the adoption of evidence-based practices in jail-based MAT programs, this guide offers:

• A structured overview of the key stages of MAT program implementation, designed for clarity and conciseness without sacrificing essential details.
• An analysis of regulations governing MAT in correctional settings.
• References to additional resources for deeper exploration of specialized topics not covered in detail.
• Case studies showcasing real-world examples of successful MAT programs.

In 2018, NCCHC partnered with the National Sheriffs’ Association to develop Jail-Based MAT: Promising Practices, Guidelines, and Resources. Since then, the landscape of substance use disorder treatment in jails and the broader community has evolved significantly. Despite a growing legal mandate to provide MAT, many agencies still face knowledge gaps that hinder effective program implementation.

Endorsed by the American Jail Association and the National Sheriffs’ Association, this new publication equips correctional facilities with the tools needed to navigate these challenges and expand access to life-saving treatment.

• Social Workers (March – National Social Work Month) – Social workers in correctional settings provide critical mental health support, case management, and reentry planning. They help individuals navigate challenges inside and outside of facilities, promoting rehabilitation and continuity of care.
• Health Care HR Professionals (March 10-14 – Health Care HR Week) – Behind every great health care team is a dedicated HR professional. These individuals recruit, train, and support the workforce that keeps correctional facilities staffed with compassionate, qualified health professionals.
• Doctors (March 30 – National Doctors’ Day) – Physicians in corrections deliver comprehensive medical care in a unique and often high-pressure environment. Their work not only improves patient outcomes but also upholds the standard of care and medical ethics in challenging conditions.

This month, we extend our deepest gratitude to these professionals for their dedication, resilience, and commitment to patient care. The NCCHC Foundation is proud to support them through scholarships, education, and workforce initiatives—ensuring they have the resources needed to thrive in this essential field.

Share our short tribute video and join us in celebrating their contributions throughout March!

This Spring, we’ll highlight inspiring stories from scholarship recipients who are shaping the field in remarkable ways.

Meet Jenny Link. A certified yoga therapist, Jenny provides one-on-one yoga therapy to individuals convicted of capital crimes, focusing on emotional regulation, effective communication, sleep improvement, and mental health support. During an eight-month pilot project, her clients reported significant improvements in sleep, stress management, and daily coping skills. Some even reduced or eliminated their reliance on anti-anxiety medication and sleep aids.

Jenny’s approach goes beyond movement—she educates her clients on the physiological effects of stress and equips them with practical tools to manage anxiety, pain, and depression. While yoga programs exist in correctional facilities nationwide, she found few offering individualized therapy services.

Thanks to the generosity of donors, Jenny received a scholarship to attend the 2024 NCCHC Correctional Mental Health Conference. There, she gained invaluable knowledge, connected with mental health professionals, and received confirmation that her approach was on the right track. These connections and insights are now helping her refine and expand her work.

Scholarships are an investment in the future of correctional health care, and every recipient represents hope and progress. Throughout this Spring, we’ll share more stories like Jenny’s, along with details on how to apply for scholarships and how donors can contribute to this life-changing program.

By supporting these scholars, we’re not just funding education—we’re shaping the future of correctional health care. Join us in nurturing the leaders of tomorrow.

Find more information on donating to support scholarships at www.NcchcFoundation.org/donate-now.

Apply for a scholarship for the 2025 Correctional Mental Health Care Conference.

Workforce development begins with mentorship. Programs connecting seasoned professionals with newcomers not only build individual confidence but also foster leadership skills and a sense of community. We’ll spotlight mentors and mentees throughout the month, highlighting their shared journeys and successes.

Leadership training is another crucial piece. By investing in future leaders, we ensure the continued success of correctional health care. Opportunities like the Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP) program and leadership-focused webinars are stepping stones to greatness.

The NCCHC Foundation’s Workforce Committee Chair Brandon De Julius, MBA, CCHP-A, CEO of CFG Health, notes, “A strong, sustainable workforce is key to delivering quality correctional health care. In today’s competitive health care market, focusing on recruitment, retention, and leadership development ensures we attract and keep top talent. By fostering an environment of growth and inclusion, we can build a workforce that thrives and meets the challenges ahead. In 2025, let’s continue to strengthen and sustain our workforce for the future.”