Dr. Laura Ternand-Hughes serves as mental health director for Cermak Health Services at the Cook County Jail, where she oversees mental health services delivered by a multidisciplinary team of more than 120 professionals. Since joining Cermak in 2019 as a correctional psychologist and unit director, she has led initiatives including the development of a therapeutic tier program for maximum-security patients and behavioral intervention programs for individuals with violent and self-injurious behaviors. Previously, she worked as a psychologist at the Illinois Youth Center–St. Charles, providing treatment to youth in the juvenile justice system. Dr. Hughes also serves as an independent expert witness and maintains a private psychology practice. She earned a PsyD in clinical psychology and an MA in counseling from Adler University.