National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC)

National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) NCCHC's mission is to improve the quality of health care in jails, prisons, and juvenile facilities.

Learn more about how we can support your expertise, your organization, and your community.

The work of the criminal-legal system is demanding, and over time, chronic stress can begin to feel like the norm.In a n...
07/30/2026

The work of the criminal-legal system is demanding, and over time, chronic stress can begin to feel like the norm.

In a new article. Yoga, Ayurveda, and Reiki practitioner Katie Webser explores how small, intentional practices can help support nervous system regulation and promote greater balance—without requiring a vacation or a major life change.

Whether you work in corrections, law enforcement, the courts, health care, or advocacy, caring for yourself is an important part of sustaining the work of serving others.

Read the full article here: https://ncchc.org/small-practices-big-impact-three-easy-exercises-to-support-staff-wellbeing/

What small practices help you recharge after a challenging day?

The conversations, connections, and learning are wrapping up at the Correctional Mental Health Care Conference.It's insp...
07/20/2026

The conversations, connections, and learning are wrapping up at the Correctional Mental Health Care Conference.

It's inspiring to see correctional health professionals from across the country coming together to share ideas, learn from one another, and strengthen mental health care.

Here are a few of the faces helping make this year's conference so meaningful. We're glad you're here!

Meet 2026 Correctional Mental Health Care Conference Scholar Karen Allery, LPN.A staff nurse at Dawson County Correction...
07/19/2026

Meet 2026 Correctional Mental Health Care Conference Scholar Karen Allery, LPN.

A staff nurse at Dawson County Correctional Facility, Karen brings 26 years of diverse nursing experience to correctional health care. She is passionate about mental health, crisis response, trauma-informed care, and improving communication during difficult situations.

Karen believes some of the most meaningful moments in correctional health care happen through everyday interactions—from medication pass conversations to crisis intervention—and that treating every patient with dignity and compassion can make a lasting difference. She also values teamwork, resilience, and the role appropriate humor can play in building trust and supporting staff well-being.

We're proud to welcome Karen as a 2026 scholar and look forward to the perspective she'll bring to the Correctional Mental Health Care Conference.

Learn more about this year's scholars: https://ncchc.org/meet-the-2026-mental-health-care-conference-scholars/

Meet 2026 Correctional Mental Health Care Conference Scholar María Aguilar-Amaya, DM, MAOM, BS.A researcher, educator, e...
07/18/2026

Meet 2026 Correctional Mental Health Care Conference Scholar María Aguilar-Amaya, DM, MAOM, BS.

A researcher, educator, evaluator, and addiction psychology graduate student at Arizona State University, María brings more than 25 years of experience across probation, victim services, behavioral health research, and justice-related systems.

Her work is rooted in a simple but powerful goal: bridging the gap between research and practice so justice-involved individuals receive compassionate, evidence-based behavioral health care. She is especially passionate about expanding culturally responsive treatment and improving access to care for underserved and Spanish-speaking populations.

Growing up in public housing, María witnessed the effects of addiction, trauma, and systemic inequities firsthand. Those experiences continue to shape her commitment to advancing correctional mental health through research, clinical practice, mentorship, and advocacy.

"Healing is the ability to touch the inner depths of your soul through the journey of confronting the pain and darkness within and turning it into the brightest illumination of self-love."

We're proud to welcome María as a 2026 scholar and look forward to the insight she'll bring to the Correctional Mental Health Care Conference.

Learn more about this year's scholars: https://ncchc.org/meet-the-2026-mental-health-care-conference-scholars/

Meet 2026 Correctional Mental Health Care Conference Scholar Rachael Parmelee, LGSW (Provisional)!Rachael is a mental he...
07/17/2026

Meet 2026 Correctional Mental Health Care Conference Scholar Rachael Parmelee, LGSW (Provisional)!

Rachael is a mental health practitioner with Ramsey County Social Services whose path to correctional mental health began in education. After working as a teacher and briefly as a 911 dispatcher, she saw firsthand how often the criminal justice system struggled to respond to mental health needs—and knew she wanted to be part of the solution.

Drawing on her background in education and social work, Rachael develops practical, accessible approaches that help people engage with mental health services. At the Ramsey County Juvenile Detention Center, she helped transform mental health engagement by creating welcoming spaces and offering flexible, hands-on tools that met youth where they were.

Today, she continues that work with adults in detention, focusing on interventions people can take back to their housing units and use in everyday moments.

We're proud to welcome Rachael as a 2026 scholar and look forward to the perspective she'll bring to the Correctional Mental Health Care Conference.

Learn more about this year's scholars: https://ncchc.org/meet-the-2026-mental-health-care-conference-scholars/

Meet 2026 Correctional Mental Health Care Conference Scholar Mel Peebles, MSW, ASW.Mel is a psychiatric social worker at...
07/16/2026

Meet 2026 Correctional Mental Health Care Conference Scholar Mel Peebles, MSW, ASW.

Mel is a psychiatric social worker at Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles, where she supports people with complex mental health needs in one of the nation’s largest correctional mental health settings.

Her path to correctional health care was shaped by witnessing the effects of incarceration, substance use, mental illness, and family instability in her own community. Those experiences strengthened her belief that people are not defined by their circumstances, but by the opportunities, care, and support available to them.

Across psychiatric inpatient care, mobile crisis response, homeless outreach, and forensic psychotherapy, Mel has remained committed to rehabilitation, advocacy, and evidence-based care.

“Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.”

We are proud to welcome Mel as a 2026 scholar and look forward to the experience and compassion she will bring to the Correctional Mental Health Care Conference.

Learn more about this year’s scholars: https://ncchc.org/meet-the-2026-mental-health-care-conference-scholars/

Congratulations to NCCHC Foundation Scholar Alexandra Audu, MD!Dr. Alexandra Audu is the Director of Psychiatric Service...
07/15/2026

Congratulations to NCCHC Foundation Scholar Alexandra Audu, MD!

Dr. Alexandra Audu is the Director of Psychiatric Services for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services and a board-certified forensic psychiatrist dedicated to improving psychiatric care for incarcerated individuals with serious mental illness.

Following medical school in New Hampshire, Dr. Audu completed a psychiatry residency and forensic psychiatry fellowship at the University of Michigan, where she developed expertise at the intersection of law, ethics, and clinical practice. She later spent four years at a forensic state hospital in Michigan, caring for patients involved in the criminal legal system and conducting court-ordered evaluations of competency to stand trial and criminal responsibility.

Today, Dr. Audu provides direct psychiatric care within Utah's prison system while overseeing the mental health advanced practice registered nurse and physician assistant prescribers. She is committed to strengthening psychiatric treatment systems and improving care for one of the most vulnerable patient populations.

As a first-time NCCHC Conference attendee and Foundation Scholar, Dr. Audu looks forward to connecting with colleagues from across the country, sharing ideas, and bringing new knowledge back to Utah's correctional health system.

We are proud to support Dr. Audu's continued leadership and commitment to advancing correctional mental health care. Congratulations! https://ncchc.org/meet-the-2026-mental-health-care-conference-scholars/

Meet 2026 Correctional Mental Health Care Conference Scholar Jeffrey Appiagyei.A health informatics PhD student, Jeffrey...
07/15/2026

Meet 2026 Correctional Mental Health Care Conference Scholar Jeffrey Appiagyei.

A health informatics PhD student, Jeffrey's research explores how artificial intelligence and equity-focused data tools can improve behavioral health care for underserved and justice-involved populations.

He believes correctional health care sits at the intersection of clinical care, public health, and human dignity—and that thoughtful innovation can make a meaningful difference.

We're excited to welcome Jeffrey as a 2026 scholar and look forward to the perspective he'll bring to the Correctional Mental Health Care Conference.

Learn more about this year's scholars: https://ncchc.org/meet-the-2026-mental-health-care-conference-scholars/

Meet 2026 Correctional Mental Health Conference Scholar Dr. Lynn Murphy.Dr. Murphy is a provisional psychologist, educat...
07/14/2026

Meet 2026 Correctional Mental Health Conference Scholar Dr. Lynn Murphy.

Dr. Murphy is a provisional psychologist, educator, and founder of the Regulated Security Framework, which explores how psychologically safe environments and the presence of regulated staff can strengthen correctional culture and support better outcomes.

At this year's conference, she'll present "From Anxiety to Achievement: Reclaiming Confidence with Mindfulness," sharing practical strategies to help incarcerated learners manage test anxiety and succeed as they prepare for the GED.

We're proud to welcome Dr. Murphy to the 2026 Correctional Mental Health Conference and look forward to the conversations she'll inspire.

Learn more about this year's scholars: https://ncchc.org/meet-the-2026-mental-health-care-conference-scholars/

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