Conference Highlights the Role of Nursing in the Criminal Justice System
A collaboration between the College of Nursing and Correctional Service Canada, the Custody & Caring Conference brings participants together to highlight innovations in practice, education, research and policy development in the field of forensic mental health and correctional health care in Canada and throughout the world.
A collaboration between the College of Nursing and Correctional Service Canada, the biennial Custody and Caring Conference held October 4 – 6th in Saskatoon, brought together around 140 participants to highlight innovations in practice, education, research and policy development in the field of forensic mental health and correctional health care in Canada and throughout the world.
“Bringing together a group of like-minded individuals to talk about clinical concerns and work life issues unique to nurses, health care professionals and other professionals working within forensic mental health and correctional environments is a real honour,” said conference chairperson and College of Nursing Professor Cindy Peternelj-Taylor. “It’s a specialized group of professionals who practice at the interface of the health and criminal justice systems. No one understands the daily challenges unique to their roles, the clientele they work with and the environments in which they practice, than the professionals themselves. Giving them an opportunity to come together in one room and learn from one and another is of utmost importance to ensure best practices are promoted.”
The conference, hosted at the Delta Bessborough Hotel, included five keynote sessions, including Former NHL All-Star, Stanley Cup winner, Olympic Gold Medalist, and two-time bestselling author Theo Fleury who spoke to a full room about the power of the short phrase, “Me Too” and four-time Emmy Award winner John Kastner, one of Canada’s most acclaimed documentary-makers, presenting his film, NCR: Not Criminally Responsible. Conference attendees also participated in two workshops and over 35 concurrent sessions, as well as, a welcome reception, a banquet and tours of the Western Development Museum and Regional Psychiatric Centre.
The first national conference focusing on nurses working in the forensic environment was hosted by the College of Nursing, the Regional Psychiatric Centre and Correctional Service Canada in 1989, and has been held biennially since then. The organizing committee was pleased to host the 15th anniversary of the Custody and Caring Conference with the theme Contemporary Challenges, Opportunities, and Collaborations this year. For more information on this conference, please visit the conference website.