The 11th NCHEP will be an in-person event: while we look forward to returning to this conference format and excited to be together, we want to acknowledge the exceptional circumstances that will surround our gathering in November and prioritize the safety of all attendees. As the current COVID-19 variant continues to persist  throughout the country, we do understand that NCHEP attendees will have questions and concerns about travel and indoor group meetings and that not all community members will be able to travel. We are committed to providing updated and relevant information to address the concerns of attendees as well as our efforts to follow facility, state, city and federal guidance regarding the health and safety of participants. This page will remain a hub of information and will be updated frequently. 

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Why is the 11th NCHEP an in-person event? 

There are three main reasons why the Alliance decided to host the conference as an in-person event:

First and foremost, many members of the higher education in prison community expressed (and continue to express) the desire to gather in person in order to gain a more significant experience and to enjoy the opportunity to meet the scholars and activists who animate the field. The NCHEP Planning Team shares this sentiment, and we believe that a community of meaning and shared values is oftentimes formed through live interactions.

Secondly, we are bound to respect the contractual and financial obligations with the Denver Marriott Tech Center, which will not allow the cancellation of a scheduled event unless city regulations require it to do so, as was the case in 2020. As of September 2021, the city of Denver is keeping recently issued (September 3, 2021) regulations in place, stating that ‘All indoor and outdoor events can now operate at full capacity with no restrictions’ (see this page for further information). We are aware that city health guidelines are subject to sudden changes, and we will promptly update the community if new public health orders become available. As it stands, canceling the 11th NCHEP would entail a consistent financial loss for the Alliance (more than $300,000), one that the organization would not be able to sustain.

Finally, orchestrating a fully hybrid conference (one that would allow simultaneous in-person and virtual participation) entails consistent costs associated with complex technology and technicians that would not be covered by the current registration fees; additionally, it would burden the small NCHEP Planning Team with an amount of labor that exceeds its capacity. 

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What are the COVID precautions for the 11th NCHEP? 

Our priority is to center the wellbeing of those who decide to attend the conference. While working in tandem with the hotel in order to support safe and physical distancing during sessions (see the hotel’s standards during the pandemic here), the Alliance will provide masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes at the registration table and in all rooms, throughout the duration of the 11th NCHEP (free of charge to all attendees). 

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What are the COVID requirements for the 11th NCHEP? 

We will not ask for vaccination proof although we strongly recommend attendees to travel and attend only if vaccinated. Current Denver Public Health Orders do not prescribe proof of vaccination or participant limitations for public spaces, but if that were to change, we will follow these restrictions.

In the absence of these guidelines, we will rely on each other’s sense of community and responsibility, and ask all attendees to always wear a mask during NCHEP (except when eating or drinking). We will instead rely on each other’s sense of community and responsibility, and require the following: 

• ‍All attendees are required to always wear a mask during NCHEP (except when eating or drinking).
• Anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms during the conference must quarantine in their rooms and notify the NCHEP Planning Team (nchep@higheredinprison.org).
• Take a COVID-19 test, which the Planning Team can help arrange. 

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What opportunities are available for people who are unable to attend NCHEP in person? 

There are a few ways that we will be able to accommodate presenters and community members who cannot  travel during the pandemic. First, some special events during the in-person NCHEP (keynote and plenary sessions) will be live-streamed. Second, the NCHEP Planning Team is organizing a virtual addendum to the 11th NCHEP on November 16-19, which will offer some accepted submitters the opportunity to present their scholarship in a virtual setting. We will be sharing the details of this event soon. 

For any additional questions or clarifications, do not hesitate to contact us at nchep@higheredinprison.org. 

Thank you very much for your patience while we navigate through these uncertain, unprecedented times. 

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Last Updated: October 21, 2021