Earlier this month, I had the privilege of attending the International Custody and Caring Conference in Canada, where I co-facilitated an interactive workshop exploring advanced practice in UK prisons.
This opportunity grew from a professional connection made through the Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing (QICN) in October 2023. Following a presentation I delivered on working at advanced practice level in prisons, Sarah Fisher, South Yorkshire ICB Lead for Advanced Practice, reached out to collaborate. Together, we went on to establish a national community of practice for advanced practitioners working across justice settings in the UK.
Encouraged to share our growing body of work, we submitted an abstract to the Custody and Caring Conference—the 19th international conference focusing on the nurse’s role within the criminal justice system. This provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with nurses and practitioners from around the world, sharing experiences and exploring innovative practices within this challenging yet rewarding area of healthcare.
Conference Highlights
Several sessions particularly stood out for me:
- Dr. Nathaniel Day’s work on the Virtual Opioid Dependency Programme, exploring new models of remote support.
- Research into drug diversion within custodial settings.
- Sessions on developing wellbeing tools and exploring relational agency.
- Thought-provoking discussions from the talk by Dr Liz Walsh “What is the cost of caring?” which prompted reflection on the emotional labour of our roles.
Each session challenged and expanded my thinking, prompting me to reflect on our current approaches while affirming the value of the work already taking place within UK prison healthcare.
The Power of Lived Experience
The most inspiring moment for me was the keynote delivered by Guy Felicella, who shared his journey from homelessness, addiction, and gang involvement to becoming an Addiction Support Advocate and an international speaker championing drug policy reform. His words, “Human connection changes direction” resonated deeply with me. Guy’s story highlighted how small acts of compassion—nurses caring for him after an overdose and simple kindness from a stranger— helped him recognise he wanted to transform his life’s trajectory. His story was a powerful reminder of the profound influence that authentic human connection can have, even in the most challenging circumstances.
As I reflect on my experience at the conference Guy's phrase “human connection changes direction" truly encapsulates what the event represented. The event was a powerful reminder that connection is central to nursing practice. Whether we are networking with colleagues or engaging with patients, it is through connection, collaboration, and compassion that we can influence change and make a lasting difference. Coming together as professionals to share knowledge and practice helps us to grow, innovate, and better serve those in our care.
In our day-to-day work within justice settings, the same principle applies. Building genuine connections with our patients, through listening, empathy and trust, can profoundly shape outcomes. Often, it is these small yet meaningful interactions that inspire hope, foster change, and reaffirm why nursing in justice settings matters so deeply.
Through my initial connection with fellow Queen's Nurse Sarah Fisher, we have not only built a strong professional partnership but also connected with many healthcare colleagues on an international scale. It is incredible to see how one conversation can evolve into something so much bigger.
Since returning from the conference, I have felt inspired to explore how we can enhance wellbeing for our prison healthcare teams within my organisation by developing a bespoke wellbeing toolkit. By strengthening connection and compassion within our teams, we can extend this to our patients, creating a ripple effect that supports both staff and those in our care.
Continuing the Connection
The International Custody and Caring Conference was a powerful reminder of the global community working within health in justice. I look forward to continuing this dialogue and developing our UK Community of Practice for Advanced Practitioners in Health in Justice.
If you are an advanced practitioner—or interested in this field—and would like to connect, share learning, or collaborate, please reach out. Together, we can continue to strengthen our practice, support one another, and demonstrate how human connection truly changes direction.
