Santo Domingo is set to host the International Forum ‘Mental Health and the Penitentiary System’ on October 10 and 11, 2025, at the Pedro Henríquez Ureña National Library Auditorium. The event, coinciding with International Mental Health Day, is organized by ONAPREP in collaboration with the Regional Penitentiary Academy (ARP), the Prisons Forum, the Dominican College of Psychologists (CODOPSI), and the Dominican Association of Social Work Professionals (ADOPTRASOC). It will convene experts from Argentina, Spain, the United States, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.
Over two days, the forum will delve into critical issues surrounding mental health in prison environments. Discussions will explore the intersection of mental health and criminal justice, the biopsychosocial approach to behavior, youth risk factors, and the challenges faced by the Dominican penitentiary system. Additionally, international best practices for psychological care of inmates will be highlighted. Notable speakers include Elliot Palma, Juan Carlos Corzo, Carlos Fonfrías, Julio Santana Mariño, Juan Carlos Domínguez, Silvio Angelini, and Nubia Lluberes.
The opening ceremony will feature addresses from Dr. Víctor Atallah, Minister of Public Health; Roberto Santana, ONAPREP director; Elliott Palma, forum coordinator; and Yanis Mejía, coordinator of ONAPREP’s Health Department and CODOPSI president. The agenda includes keynote speeches, thematic panels, roundtable discussions, and the signing of the Ibero-American Declaration on Mental Health and the Penitentiary System, which will encapsulate the forum’s findings and recommendations. The event aims to foster collaboration among justice, health, and educational institutions, advocating for evidence-based public policies and human rights to enhance comprehensive care within prison systems.