Our Mission

There are 2.1 million incarcerated people in the United States. The incarcerated population at every level has always been less healthy than the general public. About 40% of these individuals report at least one serious chronic medical condition. Almost one quarter of them, roughly 500,000 people, have a previously diagnosed mental health condition such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety. Correctional health care is public health. Over 95% of incarcerated individuals will eventually return to their communities, and their health problems and needs will often continue. The communities to which these individuals return tend overwhelmingly to be low-income communities of color, and they often lack adequate health care resources. Correctional systems can play an important role in the health of the larger community. By reaching the incarcerated and the families and friends of those affected by the correctional system, health messages, interventions and care can be reinforced in the community. Your gift to the NCCHC Foundation can:

• Support clinical research that identifies best practices and leads to better outcomes in correctional settings
• Mentor the next generation of correctional health professionals and support their continuing education needs
• Gather, analyze, and disseminate data to support high quality correctional health care
• Encourage health care efficacy and efficiency through support for evidence-based medicine
• Provide resources to incarcerated individuals on supporting their own health