Health and Wellbeing in Prisons Conference 2026
Previous Supporters Include
Overview
Prisons are facing growing pressure to meet the complex health and wellbeing needs of people in custody. Workforce challenges and complex health needs are placing significant strain on prison regimes and healthcare services. Addressing these pressures requires strong coordination between justice, healthcare and voluntary sector organisations, alongside a greater focus on rehabilitation and continuity of care.
Agenda
Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Keynote: Prison Capacity, Justice Reform and the Health of the Prison System
- Examining the relationship between prison population growth, overcrowding and the ability of prisons to deliver effective healthcare services
- Exploring the role of sentencing policy and prison reform in addressing the pressures facing prisons and considering how justice policy can contribute to improved wellbeing outcomes for people in custody
- Discussing how prison population pressures affect regimes, including access to education and access to healthcare appointments, and the consequences these factors can have for prisoners’ physical and mental wellbeing
- Considering how policy reform and long-term justice strategy can help create a prison system that better supports rehabilitation
David Lammy, Deputy Prime Minister, Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor (invited)
Keynote: Improving Mental Health in Prisons
- Examining current trends in self-harm and deaths in prison custody and discuss the underlying factors contributing to these incidents
- Exploring the role of early identification and assessment of mental health needs when individuals enter custody and consider how improved screening processes can support early interventions
- Discussing approaches to suicide prevention within prisons and ensuring collaboration between prison staff and healthcare professionals
- Highlighting the importance of creating safer prison environments where individuals feel able to seek help for mental health difficulties without stigma
Gbemi Babalola, Evaluation Lead, Samaritans (invited)
Questions and Answers
Comfort Break
Keynote: Workforce Pressures and Delivering Care in Prisons
- Examining how staffing pressures within the prison service can affect the delivery of healthcare services and access to treatment for prisoners
- Exploring the challenges associated with recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals within the prison environment
- Discussing the importance of multi-agency working between prison officers and care providers in supporting prisoners with complex needs
- Considering approaches to supporting staff wellbeing and resilience to maintain stable prison environments
Dr Sarah Bromley, National Medical Director for Health in Justice, Practice Plus Group (invited)
Keynote: Continuity of Care: Supporting Health Outcomes After Release
- Examining the health risks associated with the transition from custody to the community and the implications this can have for relapse and reoffending
- Discussing the importance of coordinated planning between prison healthcare teams and the community to ensure people leaving custody can access essential healthcare and support without delay
- Exploring the wider social factors that influence health outcomes after release and their impact on social reintegration
- Considering approaches to strengthening continuity of care across the criminal justice system working between prisons, healthcare providers and community organisations.
Matt Grey, Executive Director for Rehabilitation and Change, Prison and Probation Service (invited)
Questions and Answers
Lunch Break
Case Study: Tackling Health Inequalities in the Criminal Justice System
- Exploring the relationship between social disadvantage and involvement in the criminal justice system, recognising that many people entering custody already experience significant health inequalities
- Examining how factors such as homelessness, unemployment, trauma and poor access to healthcare contribute to poor health outcomes among people in prison
- Discussing the role of prisons as an opportunity to identify unmet health needs and connect individuals with appropriate treatment and support
- Considering how collaboration between health, justice and social services can help reduce inequalities and improve long-term outcomes
Senior Representative, Clinks (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: Wellbeing Support for Older Prisoners
- Highlighting the peer-led buddy support service which supports the wellbeing of older prisoners
- Freeing up resources and reducing staffing pressures by training prisoners to provide peer support to others with health or wellbeing needs
- Preventing loneliness and supporting the mental health of older prisoners through structured social support and companionship
- Addressing the specific challenges faced by older prisoners by ensuring they have assistance and regular social contact within the prison community.
Kay White, Regional Manager, Recoop (invited)
Questions and Answers
Breakout Networking: Improving Health and Wellbeing in Prisons
Use this session to discuss with colleagues the key barriers to delivering effective healthcare and wellbeing support within prison environments, including operational and resource challenges.
Comfort Break
Case Study: Improving Access to Primary Healthcare in Prisons
- Examining the role of prison primary care services in addressing the complex health needs of people in custody, including the management of chronic conditions
- Identifying barriers that can delay access to healthcare appointments in prisons, such as staffing pressures and security restrictions
- Exploring strategies to ensure prisoners receive timely treatment and referral to specialist services when required
- Highlighting examples of working between prison healthcare teams and NHS providers to improve continuity and quality of care
Dr Sunil Lad, National Clinical Director for Health and Justice, NHS England (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: Substance Misuse and Recovery in Prison
- Examining the prevalence of drug and alcohol dependence among people entering prison and consider the complex relationship between substance use and offending behaviour
- Discussing approaches to treatment and recovery within prison settings, such as structured recovery programmes
- Exploring partnerships between prisons, healthcare providers and voluntary organisations to deliver effective substance misuse services within custody
- Highlighting the importance of continuity of care and support after release to reduce the risk of relapse and reoffending
Mike Trace, Chief Executive Officer, Forward Trust (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Conference Close
Previous Speakers
Mignon French
Criminal Justice and Mental Health
Specialist
Professor Matthew Callender
Director
Institute for Public Safety, Crime and Justice at University of Northampton
Andrew Neilson
Director of Campaigns
The Howard League
Esther Wanjie
Chief Executive Officer
Belong
Get in Touch
Testimonials
The event was well organised and incredibly informative. I would highly recommend attending
This was an informative event with a good variety of speakers, enhanced my knowledge and gave me food for thought for improving practice
Good quality speakers with relevant experiences and information to share
An amazing event, well organised, very informative
Why You Should Attend
- Learn from leading professionals on health and wellbeing in prisons
- Connect with policymakers, researchers, and frontline staff
- Explore best practice approaches to mental health and rehabilitation in prisons
- Contribute to discussions on improving prison healthcare systems.
- Gain 8 hours of CPD points
Who Should Attend
| Job Title Example | Organisation Example |
| Prison Healthcare Manager | HM Prison Service |
| Prison Staff | NHS |
| Psychologist | Criminal Justice Charities |
| Crimonologists | Mental Health Charities |
| Rehabilitation Coordinator | Probation Service |
| Social Worker | Universities |
| Custodial Officer | Human Rights Organisations |
| Prisoner Advocate | Think Tanks |
Pricing Options
PRIVATE SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points
PUBLIC SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points
Sponsorship
Raise Your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business
If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact us HERE
IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.
Virtual vs F2F
Whilst F2F provide better options for networking, there are many distinct advantages of sponsoring our online conferences including:
- Wider geographical reach of delegates and a different audience who prefer online to f2f
- Lower sponsorship package costs
- No travel/accommodation
- Less time out of the office
- No stand materials required (lower costs)
- 1 of only 2 sponsors involved – less competition on the day
- Prime speaking slot in the morning of the conference including Q&A – less distractions and easier for delegates to hear/absorb information
- Receive all delegate data after the conference to follow-up directly with those who attend and don’t attend (small % but still key stakeholders)
- Ongoing exposure via OnDemand access (coming soon)
To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below:
