13th Health and Justice Summit Interconnecting Health and Justice
Thursday 8th & Friday 9th October 2026 at The Midland, 16 Peter Street, Manchester
Over two days, we will explore how health needs shape justice outcomes and justice systems shape health outcomes. With a solution-focused goal, we will examine learning from the UK and international systems and give a platform to the latest research aligned with the key themes of the Summit, which are:
- Addressing structural inequalities, severe multiple disadvantage, and wider determinants of health.
- Health as a determinant of justice involvement
- Justice involvement as a determinant of health
- Health as a pathway to diversion, rehabilitation, and desistance
- Legal frameworks that protect health rights
- Public health and criminal justice partnerships
RCN Nurses in Justice and Forensic Healthcare Forum Webinar – Exploring NMC referrals in Justice and Forensic Healthcare 2026
17 Sep 2026, 12:00 – 13:00
This event is for RCN members only
The RCN legal team will present case examples from prison, police custody and forensic mental health care services, and provide a space for question and answers.
Prison Nursing Unlocked: A history of care and justice
Exhibition runs at RCN Scotland February – 30th September 2026
Today, nurses play a vital role in prison health care. At the heart of their work is ‘equitable care’ – ensuring that people in prison receive the same quality of health care as those in the community.
However, as recently as 30 years ago, many prisoners would never have encountered a registered nurse.
This exhibition explores the fascinating history of healthcare in prisons, from the work of early reformers like Elizabeth Fry to the vital contribution that nurses make to prisoner health today. Discover the experience of suffragettes, force-fed in Scottish prisons, the formation of secure hospitals like The State Hospital in Carstairs, and artwork created by prisoners at HMP Eastwood Park and HMP Warren Hill.
If visiting in person, the exhibition is open Monday to Thursday from 10am until 4pm.
If you can’t visit the exhibition in person, check out the online exhibition
Managing Long-Term Conditions in the Prison Setting
Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 October 2026 (10-4pm)
A 2 day face-to-face workshop at the RCN Head Quarters for newly qualified nurses, those new to prison nursing and those working in long-term conditions roles.
Managing long term conditions in a prison environment requires a blend of clinical skills, professional judgement, and an understanding of the unique challenges faced by people in custody. This two day, in person workshop equips nurses with the confidence, knowledge, and practical skills needed to deliver safe, evidence based care within prison settings.
Provisional cost per head for a delegate: £450pp.
Past events
Read about past events delivered by Health and Justice UK.
12th Health and Justice Summit
16th-17th October 2025
Over the two days in October 2025, we explored the essential components of a holistic approach to improving health and equitable access to care for people in contact with the justice system.
We examined current barriers and enablers of access, effective drug and alcohol treatment, evidence-based best practice for mental health care and personalised care, gender-specific approaches, and reasonable adjustments.
11th Health and Justice Summit
17th-18th October 2024
Over the two days in October 2024, we explored how excellent care can be championed and patient safety maintained when teams are empowered and enabled to embrace reflection, learning and improvement as part of daily care provision, within a culture of psychological safety.
10th Health and Justice Summit
9th-10th October 2023
Held at the incredible Titanic Belfast, the 10th summit explored how building bridges between teams, organisations, and systems facilitates better access to safe, equitable health and social care for people in contact with the justice system, living both inside secure settings and in the community.