Dive into the world of designing secure spaces that heal and protect at this unique forensic hospital design conference.
Healing Behind Secure Walls: Global Forensic Hospital Design Conference
October 1–2, 2026
Welcome to the Healing Behind Secure Walls: Global Forensic Hospital Design Conference, an engaging two-day international gathering exploring how thoughtfully designed environments can support healing, recovery, and well-being in forensic mental health settings.
Hosted at the
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, this unique event will bring together clinicians, architects, designers, researchers, planners, policymakers, and individuals with lived experience to rethink how spaces can better support care, safety, and dignity.
Forensic psychiatric hospitals care for individuals who are Unfit to Stand Trial (UST) or Not Criminally Responsible on Account of Mental Disorder (NCRMD). These environments must balance treatment, recovery, and security—an ongoing challenge for healthcare providers and designers alike. Historically, many psychiatric facilities were built with institutional and restrictive models in mind. However, emerging research increasingly shows that well-designed therapeutic environments can significantly improve mental health outcomes, reduce distress, and support recovery-oriented care.
The Healing Behind Secure Walls: Forensic Care Design International Conference will explore how architecture, design, and clinical practice can work together to create more humane, inclusive, and effective environments within secure psychiatric settings.