Abstract
Aim: This study investigated the prison and post-prison-related healthcare experiences of male prisoners in order to better inform future policy.
Design: The study was a qualitative, phenomenological study using interpretive phenomenology.
Methods: Between April 2014 and April 2015. Narrative data were gathered in semi-structured interviews with N = 29 males within six weeks of their release from prison. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed (n = 9) or detailed field notes were made (n = 20) dependent on participant preference. Data were analysed using inductive phenomenological analysis.
Results: Analysis revealed four themes: (1) Meaning of health (2) Access to healthcare (3) The obfuscatory organisation (4) Vulnerability and hope.
Conclusion: The effectiveness of policy changes that were intended to ensure equity of access to NHS services for prisoners is questionable. A renewed commitment to, and tangible progress towards, providing equivalency in healthcare for prisoners is required.
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Fraser, J. (2021). Prisoner Experiences of Prison Health in Scotland. In: Maycock, M., Meek, R., Woodall, J. (eds) Issues and Innovations in Prison Health Research. Palgrave Studies in Prisons and Penology. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46401-1_6
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