National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC)

Today, on International Women’s Health Day, we recognize the importance of ensuring women have access to quality, compassionate, and evidence-based health care in every setting — including correctional environments.

Women involved in the justice system often face unique and complex health challenges. NCCHC’s position statements help guide correctional health professionals in delivering ethical, patient-centered care that supports the health, dignity, and well-being of incarcerated women.

We thank the clinicians, advocates, and leaders who work every day to improve women’s health outcomes and advance health equity.

Read more from CEO Deborah Ross here: https://ncchc.org/international-womens-health-day/

As Memorial Day weekend comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the meaning behind the holiday and the lives it honors. We remember the service members who died serving our country, and we recognize the responsibility we all share to support the veterans who are still living.

That includes veterans navigating incarceration, mental health challenges, substance use disorders, chronic illness, and reentry into their communities. In correctional health care, those realities are not abstract. They are part of the daily work of providing ethical evidence-based care to people who have served and deserve dignity and quality treatment.

This weekend reminded us that honoring service cannot end at remembrance alone. It also requires continued care for the people carrying the physical and emotional impacts of that service long after they return home.

We hope everyone had a safe and restorative Memorial Day weekend.

In correctional health care, medical and mental health teams often carry different responsibilities, training, and approaches to care. But when communication breaks down between disciplines, patients — and staff — feel the impact.

NCCHC’s newest CorrectCare article explores how organizations can reduce friction, strengthen collaboration, and create healthier systems through better interdisciplinary alignment.

The work is hard. The environment is complex. Collaboration matters anyway.

Read more: https://ncchc.org/aligning-perspectives/

Congratulations to the team at the Sussex Correctional Institution in Georgetown for achieving accreditation through the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC)!

This week, SCI was recognized for its compliance with NCCHC’s nationally recognized standards for health services in prisons—an achievement that reflects a strong commitment to delivering quality care to the incarcerated population.

Earning this accreditation required a comprehensive and rigorous assessment by a team of experienced physicians and correctional healthcare experts. The review evaluated critical areas including patient care and treatment, health promotion, safety and disease prevention, governance and administration, personnel and training, special needs services, and medical-legal standards.

This accomplishment highlights the dedication of SCI staff and reinforces the Delaware Department of Correction’s ongoing commitment to high-quality, evidence-based healthcare.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to our healthcare partner, VitalCore Health Strategies, for their continued collaboration and support in achieving this milestone.

CFG Health CEO Brandon E. De Julius participated for the second time as a mentor with the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) Foundation’s scholar mentorship program during the Spring Conference in New Orleans.

Programs like this play an important role in supporting and developing the next generation of correctional healthcare professionals.

What if the behavior being punished is actually the result of a brain injury?

Traumatic brain injuries are highly prevalent among incarcerated populations, yet many go unrecognized in correctional settings. Symptoms like memory issues, impulsivity, slowed processing, emotional dysregulation, and difficulty following directions are often misunderstood as defiance or noncompliance.

This upcoming webinar from NCCHC explores practical strategies for recognizing and supporting incarcerated individuals living with TBI — including screening tools, accommodations, staff education, and trauma-informed approaches that can improve both health outcomes and facility safety.

The session also highlights how correctional health care intersects with disability rights, public health, and successful reentry.

Register here: https://ncchc.org/event/webinar-brain-injuries-are-you-recognizing-the-signs-offering-support/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Behind every stronger correctional health program is a team doing work most people never see.

The 2026 NCCHC Facility Awards recognize accredited programs improving care and creating measurable impact.

Applications close on May 21! Don't miss your chance to uplift the stories and work bringing correctional health care into the future.

Submit a nomination: https://lnkd.in/gdjCsx-y

Behind every safer facility, stronger care team, and better patient outcome is work that often goes unseen.

The 2026 NCCHC Awards are your chance to recognize the people and programs making a difference in correctional health care every day.

Nominations are now open for individual and facility awards. Self-nominations are welcome.

Deadline: May 21.

Nominate a notable leader today: https://bit.ly/49MFCvU

Nurses know how to multitask better than anyone.

Every day, correctional nurses assess, advocate, educate, lead, and provide compassionate care to patients who rely on them most. During National Nurses Week, the NCCHC Foundation proudly celebrates the nurses transforming lives and strengthening correctional health care across the country.

In the spirit of multitasking, we’re sharing a simple resource that can help you:
- Organize your future plans
- Take care of loved ones
- Create peace of mind
- Support the future of correctional health care

Through our partnership with FreeWill, you can create a legally valid will or estate plan at no cost in about 20 minutes. Many nurses spend their careers caring for others. FreeWill makes it easy to also care for your own future and legacy. If you choose to include the NCCHC Foundation in your plans, you help support scholarships, mentorship, training, and workforce development opportunities for the next generation of correctional health care professionals nationwide.

Start your (free) FreeWill plan today! https://lnkd.in/g9_bpbUN

Thank you to all nurses for the care you provide, the lives you touch, and the leadership you bring to correctional health care every single day.