Prison Nursing Unlocked: A history of care and justice: exhibition launch (Hybrid)
26 Feb 2026, 17:30 - 20:00
Choose event information:
Join us for the launch of our new exhibition about the history of prison nursing. Enjoy free refreshments and a chance to look around the exhibition, alongside activities and talks on nursing in justice settings.
You can also join us online for the talks from 6-7:30pm.
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.
Our Prison Nursing Unlocked: A history of care and justice exhibition explores the fascinating history of healthcare in prisons, from the work of early reformers like Elizabeth Fry, the experience of suffragettes force-fed in Scottish prisons, to the vital contribution that nurses make to prisoner health today.
Talks at the launch event explore how prison nurses bring a wide range of specialist skills to provide compassionate care in uniquely challenging environments.
Speakers include:
- Hear from Liz Walsh, RCN UK Professional Lead for Justice and Forensic Nursing, on the history and development of prison nursing.
Liz has worked in and around justice settings as a clinician, academic, researcher, inspector and practice developer. She’s passionate about supporting and developing nurses and nursing practice in all areas of justice and forensic health care. Liz promotes a multi-disciplinary approach to caring for people in justice settings and champions the use of effective reflective practice to manage the challenges of caring in these environments.
- Hear about transforming health care services from Shona Malone, Interim Operational Manager - Prison Health Care, HMP Low Moss. As the Operational Manager in HMP Low Moss, Shona has displayed outstanding clinical leadership, transforming the nursing team and health care service despite the inherent challenges of a prison environment.
As RCN Scotland Clinical Leadership Award Finalist in 2024, Shona has been recognised for her leadership in this award which aims to recognise exceptional leaders who, by inspiring others, have made a significant difference to service delivery and quality of care.
Joining us in person? Drop in activities at the exhibition launch include:
- Add your reflections on nursing in justice settings to our creative question panel.
- View artwork created by prisoners at HMP Eastwood Park and HMP Warren Hill.
Following the launch, the exhibition will be open for visitors Mondays to Thursdays 10 – 4pm.
This event is open to all.
If you have any questions or accessibility needs, please contact us on scotland.library@rcn.org.uk or 0131 662 6163.
Read the full terms and conditions for our events here.
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
