By Kat Balster
Each spring, leaders from across the spectrum of correctional healthcare gather to share innovations, elevate care standards and nurture professional connections—and this year’s National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) Spring Conference in Louisville, Ky. was no exception. As a media partner of NCCHC, Correctional News attended the conference, talking with industry professionals in the busy exhibit hall, absorbing new insights in educational sessions and attending experiential learning opportunities such as a jail tour. Throughout the event, attendees were exposed to both innovation and inspiration and left with new tools to bring back to their facilities.
A Welcoming Community of Professionals
Held April 5–8, the NCCHC Spring Conference on Correctional Health Care brought together more than just clinical professionals. The crowd included medical directors, correctional officers, mental health providers, administrators, researchers and policymakers—underscoring the complex nature of providing health care in correctional settings. For firsttime attendees, the collaborative energy was apparent. During the sessions, attendees remarked that the conference is a space where people are not just learning—they’re connecting with others facing the same challenges and working toward shared goals.
Collaboration, Innovation and Practical Solutions
David Dawdy of TBD Solutions present on how to transform relationships with difficult patients.
The conference centered on promoting evidence-based care, encouraging cross sector collaboration and elevating the voices of those on the front lines of correctional health. Educational tracks addressed a wide range of issues, from reentry planning and trauma-informed care to behavioral health partnerships and the evolving role of medication-assisted treatment. NCCHC had recently unveiled updated guidelines on jail-based medical treatment for substance-use disorders, which reflect changes in clinical best practices and regulatory requirements. Now referred to as medicationassisted treatment (MAT), the standards promote expanded access to methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone, while advocating for normalized delivery models. Presenters emphasized the critical role that correctional facilities play in reducing overdose deaths, especially in the weeks following release. A standout session from Delaware’s Department of Correction explored how fully integrating MAT into regular med passes has improved care access and eliminated logistical bottlenecks. Others, like New York-based Ophelia Health, shared success stories of telehealth-based MAT programs that help to provide continuity of treatment through reentry. The updates to the MAT guidelines underscore NCCHC’s push to remove barriers and promote recovery as part of standard healthcare in corrections.
Resilience, Relationships and Reintegration
Sessions covered diverse topics, but several overarching themes emerged. Attendees explored how the arts can foster healing, with one session highlighting a mural and journaling project in a Massachusetts jail that helped more than 100 women process trauma and gain confidence. Others focused on building bridges between parole agencies and behavioral health systems to keep people in the community, not behind bars. Another popular topic was reentry support. From peer mentorship in Harris County to behavioral health and parole linkages in Massachusetts, presentations underscored the importance of continuity and connection for reducing recidivism. Several sessions also tackled the need for trauma-informed training of staff and how to cultivate resilience in high-stress roles. This sense of connection and purpose was echoed by NCCHC CEO Deborah Ross, CCHP. “At NCCHC, one of the most powerful ways we bring our mission to life is by creating meaningful educational opportunities for our correctional healthcare community,” said Ross. “Our conferences are something special— they’re often the only place where people in this field can early continuing education, connect with peers from across the country and engage in real conversations about the challenges and purpose of this work. Corrections can be a tough and isolating environment, which is exactly why these gatherings matter. Time and again, I hear how much people look forward to them. They leave feeling reenergized, supported and reminded of why this work matters.”
Professional Development and Peer Support
Beyond education, the conference prioritized staff wellness and emotional sustainability. Sessions offered strategies to manage compassion fatigue, boundarysetting in high-stress environments and how to process the vicarious trauma that can affect those working in corrections. The commitment to peer support wasn’t limited to the inmates. Many sessions recognized the importance of peer-to-peer learning among staff. One popular takeaway was that connection and empathy, even within strict institutional frameworks, remains among the most powerful tools for correctional professionals.
A Shared Mission
The NCCHC conference is more than just a trade show or educational summit: It’s a reminder that, even in the most controlled environments, there is room for compassion, creativity and growth. NCCHC’s commitment to supporting those who care for justice-involved populations remains strong—and the momentum from this year’s event in Louisville promises to impact the industry beyond the conference center.
This article was originally published in the May/June edition of Correctional News.
