Professional standards for the care of incarcerated people: A content analysis of organizational position statements

Women are the fastest-growing prison population in Canada, yet people in prison often face serious barriers to receiving equitable and timely healthcare. These barriers include institutional delays, lack of privacy, denial of care, and limited access to health information. Healthcare providers working in prisons can help address some of these issues, but many report feeling unprepared due to limited training, unclear policies, and uncertainty about their roles in a correctional environment. As a result, harmful aspects of the prison setting can be reproduced within healthcare encounters. To better understand these challenges, our team previously interviewed 30 clinicians who provide care to incarcerated women and gender diverse people across Canada. Participants emphasized the need for guidance and policy support from their professional colleges to ensure ethical and equitable care. Currently, no such statement or policy exists. Building on these findings, this project will systematically review existing health professional statements on the care of incarcerated people and analyze their key themes and approaches. The results will inform the creation of policy frameworks, position statements, and healthcare protocols tailored to the needs of women and gender diverse people in prisons in Canada and in comparable international contexts.

Faculty Supervisor:

Martha Paynter

Student:

Partner:

University of Hertfordshire

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Education

University:

University of New Brunswick

Program: