Prison Nursing Unlocked: A history of care and justice: exhibition
27 Feb 2026, 10:00 - 30 Sep, 16:00
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Today, nurses play a vital role in prison health care. At the heart of their work is ‘equitable care’ – ensuring that people in prison receive the same quality of health care as those in the community.
However, as recently as 30 years ago, many prisoners would never have encountered a registered nurse.
This exhibition explores the fascinating history of healthcare in prisons, from the work of early reformers like Elizabeth Fry to the vital contribution that nurses make to prisoner health today. Discover the experience of suffragettes, force-fed in Scottish prisons, the formation of secure hospitals like The State Hospital in Carstairs, and artwork created by prisoners at HMP Eastwood Park and HMP Warren Hill.
If visiting in person, the exhibition is open Monday to Thursday from 10am until 4pm.
If you can't visit the exhibition in person, check out the online exhibition here.
The venue is wheelchair accessible. If you have any questions or accessibility needs, please contact us on scotland.library@rcn.org.uk or 0131 662 6163/4.
RCN Scotland Headquarters (Edinburgh)
42 South Oswald Road
Edinburgh
EH9 2HH
2.5 miles from Edinburgh Waverley Station
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Page last updated - 14/01/2026
