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Health Across the Life Course:

The 19th Annual Meeting of ACCJH

The 2026 Academic Consortium on Criminal Justice Health (ACCJH) Annual Meeting is the nation’s premier peer-reviewed conference at the intersection of the criminal legal system and health. Each year, ACCJH convenes leading researchers, clinicians, public health experts, policymakers, and people with lived experience to advance evidence-based practices and policies that improve health and equity for justice-impacted populations.

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This year’s theme, Health Across the Life Course, will explore how carceral exposure shapes health from adolescence through aging. The 19th Annual Meeting will be hosted in partnership with Morehouse School of Medicine at the Calvin Smyre Conference Center in Atlanta, Georgia, March 16–18, 2026, marking an important collaboration that underscores ACCJH’s commitment to academic partnership and shaping the national research agenda on criminal legal system health.

Host City | Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is a city known for its rich history, cultural vibrancy, and deep influence on movements for health, equity, and justice. As home to many of the nation's most prominent HBCUs, Atlanta offers a powerful backdrop for this conference. From the Morehouse School of Medicine campus, visitors are minutes from Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and more

 

Atlanta is served by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), approximately ten miles south of downtown and about fifteen minutes from Morehouse School of Medicine by car. MARTA provides train service from the airport to downtown and Midtown. Because parking at Morehouse School of Medicine is limited, attendees who drive should park at Morehouse College's main campus and take the conference shuttle to the School of Medicine.

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Conference Schedule

Day 1 — Monday, March 16, 2026

Opening Keynote, Sessions, and Scholarship Reception. The meeting opens with a keynote address by Dr. Sarah Vinson, Chair of Psychiatry at Morehouse School of Medicine.  Join us in the evening for a documentary screening of  Held and Healing followed by a discussion with panelists Kristie Puckett, Averll Stokes, Camille Kramer, Natalie Hernandez, & Drew Umberger. This event open to the full Morehouse School of Medicine community.

Day 2 — Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Plenary on Compassionate Release and Palliative Care, Sessions, and Film Screening. Day two features a plenary session on compassionate release, end-of-life care, and palliative approaches within correctional settings. The evening concludes with the ACCJH Scholarship Reception, celebrating student, early-career, advocates, and lived-experience awardees.

Day 3 — Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Half-Day of Sessions and Closing Lunch. The final day offers sessions and roundtable discussions, concluding with a networking lunch to connect, reflect, and identify next steps for advancing health equity and justice.

ACCJH 16th Annual Meeting Keynote Speakers Erika Cohn, Kelli Dillon, and Cynthia Chandler, creators of the acclaimed 2020 documentary,  Belly of the Beast.  

Presenter Information

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2026 Presentation Guide

Invited presenters should review the current ACCJH Presentation Guide for recommendations on formatting, inclusive language and design, and other programming considerations.  Have additional questions? Contact: info@accjh.org.

Presentation Formats

  • 60-Minutes — in-depth discussion, panel presentations, or skill-building workshops

  • 20-Minutes — innovative programs, emerging research, or practice-based insights.

  • 8-minute lightning rounds — quick, engaging presentations of new ideas and pilot studies.

  • Poster sessions — research findings, implementation projects, and community-driven initiatives.

  • Keynote address & plenary session — national leaders and community voices;

Registration Information

  1. Complete the registration form with your contact information and any requested demographic or professional details.

  2. Choose your payment method — credit/debit card, Apple Pay, Venmo, or PayPal (securely processed through Givebutter).

  3. You'll receive a confirmation email with your digital ticket and additional event details.

NOTE: After March 1, registrations are non-refundable but may be transferred to another attendee. To request a refund or transfer, please contact erika@accjh.org.

Click Here to Register
Registration Categories & Ticket Prices

Student & Lived Experience Admission  $300

This discounted ticket honors students and indisviduals whose lived experience and advocacy enrich our collective learning. Includes access to all plenary and breakout sessions, poster presentations, and networking receptions. 

Regular Admission  $500

Full conference registration for professionals, researchers, and practitioners. Includes access to all plenary and breakout sessions, poster presentations, and networking receptions.

Registration Deadlines

  • January 15, Last Day for Early Bird Registration

  • March 01, Last Day to Request a Refund

  • March 11, Last Day to Register for the Conference

ACCJH Sponsorship

ACCJH invites partners, organizations, and institutions to support the 19th Annual Meeting. Sponsors gain visibility through event materials, signage, and online recognition, while demonstrating their commitment to advancing equitable, person-centered care for justice-involved populations. To learn more, contact erika@accjh.org.

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