Equal before the law? Raising the standard of health and care in prisons

Join us in London on 24 March to hear from an expert panel as they discuss health and care in custody, and practical steps that could help raise standards across the prison estate.

Healthcare in prison is a human right, with the ‘principle of equivalence’ in the UK intended to ensure prisoners are afforded healthcare consistent with the quality and standard as that provided to the general population. In practice, however, systemic shortcomings in the prisons system are leaving prisoners with substandard care, with the needs of older and women prisoners particularly critical.

This discussion will build on The System and the Cell, a new report from the Social Market Foundation, sponsored by Policy@Manchester. Grounded in leading academic research and informed by first-hand insights from those working within the system, the report sheds light on the systemic challenges in prison health and sets out clear, evidence-led recommendations for reform.

This session will be chaired by Dr Rebecca Montacute, Research Director at the Social Market Foundation.  Confirmed panellists include Dr Katrina Forsyth, Senior Research Fellow at The University of Manchester, with further speakers to be confirmed.

Date: Tuesday, 24 March 2026

Time: 14.00 – 15.00

Venue: Westminster – specific venue confirmed on registration

Register: via the link below, or by emailing policy@manchester.ac.uk