‘You Don’t Want to Have Cancer While You’re in Prison’: A Qualitative Study of Supporting People with Serious Illness in Prison.

Purpose:
This study explores the experiences of people in the UK who have supported a person in prison (PiP) living with a serious illness, including family members, friends, and staff working in third-sector prison support organisations. Our aim was to uncover systemic barriers to care, understand the challenges families face, highlight examples of good practice, and use these insights to inform practical recommendations for improving prison healthcare and support

Design:
We conducted semi-structured interviews in 2023 with 16 participants - eight family members/friends of PiP and eight staff from third-sector prison support organisations working across England and Scotland. Transcripts were analysed using Framework Analysis and interpreted in the context of the WHO’s Healthy Settings framework, to illustrate how organisational, environmental, relational and cultural factors shape care for seriously ill prisoners.

Findings: Participants described resource shortages, poor communication and inflexible institutional rules that could compromise dignity and delay treatment. Families experienced emotional strain over a perceived lack of transparency and accountability. Positive staff efforts and peer support were emphasised, but better multidisciplinary collaboration and family-inclusive policies are needed.

Originality:
This is the first UK study to examine both family and third-sector staff perspectives on supporting seriously ill PiP. By combining lived-experience testimony with practitioner insight, we outline actionable recommendations for policy and practice change.