The University of Manchester are hosting an event on Tuesday 24 March 2026, from 14:00–15:00 at a venue in central Westminster. An expert panel will discuss health and care in custody, and practical steps that could help raise standards across the prison estate.
Healthcare in prison is a human right, with the ‘principle of equivalence’ in the UK intended to ensure prisoners are afforded healthcare consistent with the quality and standard as that provided to the general population. In practice, however, systemic shortcomings in the prisons system are leaving prisoners with substandard care, with the needs of older and women prisoners particularly critical.
This event builds on The System and the Cell, a new report from the Social Market Foundation, sponsored by Policy@Manchester – The University of Manchester’s policy engagement unit. Grounded in leading academic research and informed by firsthand insights from those working within the system, the report sheds light on the systemic challenges in prison health and sets out clear, evidence-led recommendations for reform.
This session will be chaired by Dr Rebecca Montacute, Research Director at the Social Market Foundation. Confirmed panellists include Dr Katrina Forsyth, Senior Research Fellow at The University of Manchester, with further speakers to be confirmed.
You can register to attend by providing your details here, or by emailing policy@manchester.ac.uk