Custody and Caring Conference

Overview

The College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, in collaboration with Correctional Service Canada and other conference planning committee partners, is pleased to announce that the 19th Biennial Custody and Caring International Conference on the Nurse’s Role in the Criminal Justice System will be held October 1st - 3rd, 2025, at the Sheraton Cavalier Hotel in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

For over 30 years, the Custody and Caring conference has celebrated innovations in practice, education, research, and policy development in the field of correctional and forensic mental health care in Canada and throughout the world. Many of the issues facing health care professionals working in correctional and forensic mental health care environments are universal in nature. The Custody and Caring conference fosters capacity building within this specialized area of practice.

Who should attend?
The Custody and Caring Conference brings together practitioners, scholars, researchers, administrators, policy makers and students. Nurses, physicians, correctional officers, psychologists, social workers, and other professionals who work with criminal justice involved persons.

Conference theme:
Correctional and Forensic Mental Health Care: Contemplating Innovation, Justice, and Compassion.

Conference objectives:
The overall goal of the conference is to provide a forum for celebrating innovations in practice, education, research, and policy development in correctional and forensic mental health care in Canada and throughout the world. Clinical issues and work life considerations unique to nurses, interdisciplinary health care professionals, and other professionals working within secure environments and will be featured.

Conference participants will be able to:

  • Discuss challenges and opportunities unique to the provision of correctional and forensic mental health care in institutional and community based settings.
  • Report innovations in program and policy development relevant to correctional and forensic mental health care practice, education, research, and leadership.
  • Consider clinical and ethical challenges and opportunities unique to correctional and forensic mental health care.
  • Promote correctional and forensic mental health care as specialized areas of practice.
  • Explore opportunities to address issues unique to health care professionals practicing within correctional and forensic mental health care environments.

Call for Abstracts

Abstract Submission Form

Closes March 31st, 2025

Keynote Speakers

Coming soon!

Conference Program

Coming soon!

Conference Program Now Available
(draft program, subject to change)

2023 Custody & Caring Draft Program

Registration

Coming soon!

Registration fees:

  • Early Bird registration fee
  • Regular registration fee
  • Presenter registration fee
  • Student registration fee
    *must be full time student

$575 until August 18, 2023
$675
$525
$199

Registration closes September 6, 2023.

Registration is now closed

Usask Nursing Students education enhancement bursary information

Hotel accommodation information

Sponsorship Opportunities

Coming soon!

To learn more about how you can be a part of this year’s conference, please see our SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE.

Planning Committee

  • Cindy Peternelj-Taylor (Chair), Professor Emeritus, College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan.
  • Leah Cook, A/Director Regional Clinical Practice and Accreditation, Regional Headquarters, Prairies, Correctional Service Canada
  • Anthony de Padua, Assistant Professor, College of Nursing Prince Albert Campus, University of Saskatchewan
  • Angela Draude, Executive Director, Correctional Health Services, Alberta Health Services
  • Joele Fidler, Manager, Integrated Health Services, Saskatchewan Penitentiary, Correctional Service Canada
  • Arlene Kent-Wilkinson, Professor, College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan
  • Susan J. Loeb, Professor, Director PhD Program, Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, Pennsylvania State University, USA
  • Mary-Lou Martin, Clinical Nurse Specialist, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Clinical Associate Professor, McMaster University, Hamilton Ontario
  • Alicia McMillan, Deputy Director, Health Services, Ministry of Corrections, Policing, and Public Safety
  • Lindsay Reddick, A/Executive Director Health Services, Regional Psychiatric Centre, Prairies, Correctional Service Canada
  • Jordana Schmitz, Senior Practice Consultant, Nursing, Correctional Health Services, Recovery Alberta
  • Liz Walsh, UK Professional Lead for Justice, Forensic Nursing & Defense Nursing Forum, Royal College of Nursing, London, UK
  • Phil Woods, Professor, College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan.
  • Jared Booth, Custody and Caring Scholarship recipient, 2023-24 academic year, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Undergraduate Student, College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan

For More Information

For more information, please contact:

Conference Coordinator – Selene Daniel-Whyte
Email: selene.daniel.whyte@usask.ca

 

Presented By

 

Conference Sponsors

Coming soon!