About NCCHC

With support from the major national organizations representing the fields of health, law and corrections, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care is committed to improving the quality of health care in jails, prisons, and juvenile confinement facilities. In this we are aided by an exceptionally dedicated Board of Directors comprised of representatives from our supporting organizations.

NCCHC's origins date to the early 1970s, when an American Medical Association study of jails found inadequate, disorganized health services and a lack of national standards. In collaboration with other organizations, the AMA established a program that in the early 1980s became the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose early mission was to evaluate and develop policy and programs for a field clearly in need of assistance.

Today, NCCHC's leadership in setting standards for health services in correctional facilities is widely recognized. Established by the health, legal and corrections professions, NCCHC's Standards are recommendations for the management of a correctional health services system. Written in separate volumes for prisons, jails and juvenile confinement facilities—and now with a manual specifically for mental health services—the Standards cover the areas of care and treatment, health records, administration, personnel and medical-legal issues. These essential resources have helped correctional and detention facilities improve the health of their inmates and the communities to which they return, increase the efficiency of health services delivery, strengthen organizational effectiveness and reduce the risk of adverse legal judgments.

Building on that foundation, NCCHC offers a broad array of services and resources to help correctional health care systems provide efficient, high-quality care.

Accreditation: NCCHC has offered a voluntary health services accreditation program since the 1970s. Based on its Standards, the process uses external peer review to determine whether correctional institutions meet these standards in their provision of health services. NCCHC renders a professional judgment and assists in the improvement of services provided.
   NCCHC also operates an accreditation program for opioid treatment programs in correctional facilities. This accreditation enables OTPs to obtain legally required certification from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The only SAMHSA-authorized accrediting body that focuses on corrections, NCCHC has developed standards that are based on federal regulations but tailored for this field.

Educational Programs: Since its inception in 1977, the National Conference on Correctional Health Care has been the must-attend event of the year. With exceptional educational programs, abundant networking and the best commercial exhibition in this field, this five-day meeting attracts thousands of dedicated professionals each Fall. Similar in format but smaller in scale, Updates in Correctional Health Care is popular for its content-rich program and cutting-edge topics presented in a four-day format each Spring. The two-day Correctional Mental Health Seminar, held in July, draws hundreds of practitioners and administrators seeking to improve mental health and substance abuse services.

Certification: NCCHC's Certified Correctional Health Professional program recognizes the  professionalism of individuals involved in all aspects of correctional health care. The program has 2,000 active participants who have earned the highly regarded CCHP designation by demonstrating mastery of national standards and the special knowledge and skills expected of leaders in this complex and ever-changing field.

Publications and Resources: NCCHC offers essential publications for correctional health care practice. Our catalog features all of the NCCHC Standards, as well as Correctional Health Care: Guidelines for the Management of an Adequate Delivery System and relevant works from other reputable publishers. CorrectCare and the Journal of Correctional Health Care are the leading periodicals in this field. Our Web site offers free access to Clinical Guidelines, Position Statements and other resources.

Technical Assistance: NCCHC offers customized consultation and technical assistance to assist with correctional health issues such as preparing for accreditation, developing policies and procedures, and assessing alternative solutions to problems. Informal assistance on accreditation issues is included in facility accreditation fees. Fee-based assistance is also available.