• Emma Gilbert, Nick De Viggiani, Joana de Sousa Martins, Tanuka Palit, Jessica Sears, Daniel Knights, Audrey Roulston, Mary Turner, and Lucy E Selman.
• Palliative and End of Life Care Research Group, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol UK.
• Palliat Med. 2024 May 1; 38 (5): 517534517-534.

BackgroundAn ageing prison population with complex health needs combined with punitive sentencing practices means palliative care for incarcerated individuals is increasingly important. However, there is limited evidence regarding the models of care delivery in high-income countries, and their associated challenges and benefits.AimTo develop a typology of models of palliative care provision for incarcerated individuals, synthesise evidence of their outcomes and describe facilitators of and challenges in delivering different models of palliative and end-of-life care in prisons.DesignScoping review following Arksey and O'Malley, with narrative synthesis. The protocol was registered prospectively (reviewregistry1260).Data SourcesMEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, the Social Sciences Citation Index and grey literature were searched on 15th March 2023. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used for quality appraisal.ResultsA total of 16,865 records were screened; 22 peer-reviewed articles and 18 grey literature sources met the inclusion criteria. Three models were identified: Embedded Hospice, Outsourcing Care and Community Collaboration. The Embedded Hospice model shows potential benefits for patients and prisons. Outsourcing Care may miss opportunities for comprehensive care. Collaborative Care relies on proactive prison-community relationships that could be formalised for improvement. Psychosocial and bereavement needs of those dying in prison and their caregivers lack sufficient documentation.ConclusionFurther research is needed to evaluate prison hospice costs and examine how prison hospices impact compassionate release usage. Beyond the USA, policies might formalise care pathways and recognise best practices. Further investigation to address psychosocial needs of people in prison with life-limiting illnesses and post-death bereavement support is required.

14 keywords...

hide…