NCCHC National Conference Draws Largest Attendance Since 2010
The National Commission on Correctional Health Care’s 2026 National Conference on Correctional Health Care in Las Vegas drew more than 1,500 attendees. | Photo Credit: NCCHC
- The National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) celebrated its 50th anniversary during its 2026 National Conference in Las Vegas.
- The conference drew 1,542 attendees, its highest turnout since 2010.
- Educational sessions focused on emerging healthcare challenges, patient safety and clinical best practices, along with updated healthcare standards and the future of correctional medicine.
By Susan Haigh
The National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) celebrated its 50th anniversary with its best-attended National Conference since 2010, drawing 1,542 participants to Las Vegas for five days of educational sessions, networking and discussions about the challenges facing correctional healthcare professionals.
The conference was held Oct. 24–28 at Paris Las Vegas. It’s the largest event in correctional healthcare and it brought together physicians, nurses, mental health professionals, healthcare administrators, correctional leaders and others involved in providing medical and behavioral health services in jails, prisons and juvenile facilities.
The educational program addressed a wide range of issues, from chronic disease management and substance use treatment, to patient safety, legal liability, workforce challenges and evolving standards of care.
Among the five best-attended sessions included the following:
- The First 72 Hours: A Legal Perspective on Risk in Patient Intake
- K2 and Other Synthetic Illicit Drugs: Treatment Options and Challenges
- Intake Screenings: Nursing Assessment and Decision-Making
- Restrictive Housing: Usage, Legal Landscape, and Clinical Safeguards
- Type 2 Diabetes Care in Corrections: New Guidelines, New Strategies
The popularity of these sessions reflected a strong interest in practical strategies for managing complex clinical challenges, reducing risks and improving patient safety, according to NCCHC.
“From intake screening and emerging drug threats to restrictive housing, chronic disease management and legal liability, these topics address some of the most pressing issues facing correctional health professionals,” NCCHC said in statement.
The conference also offered sessions on suicide prevention, medication-assisted treatment, health care continuity following incarceration, artificial intelligence and the use of telehealth. Other discussions addressed staff burnout, recruitment and retention, and improving communication between correctional custody personnel and health care providers.
One particularly popular offering was an all-day preconference seminar examining the 2026 NCCHC Standards for Health Services in Jails and Prisons. The seminar attracted 206 participants seeking guidance on understanding and applying best practices in health care and reducing adverse health outcomes.
“This year’s National Conference was truly special as we celebrated 50 years of NCCHC’s commitment to advancing correctional health care,” said Deborah Ross, CCHP, NCCHC Chief Executive Officer. “The energy and enthusiasm throughout the conference were remarkable, and the strong attendance at educational sessions reflects how eager correctional health professionals are to learn, connect, and bring new ideas back to their facilities.”
Ross said the anniversary also provided an opportunity to recognize the organization’s history while considering the future of correctional health care.
“Our 50th anniversary gave us an opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come while looking ahead to the future of correctional healthcare,” she said.