A thematic analysis of Prison and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident reports involving prisoners on palliative/end-of-life care pathways in the long-term high security estate in England and Wales

ObjectivesIn this study, the clinical and non-clinical factors that may influence the provision of palliative/end of life care in long-term high security prisons in England and Wales are identified through the lens of Prison and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) fatal incident reports. MethodsThis work extends that of McParland and Johnston (2019) and contemporary literature published in the subsequent period to 2020 through a thematic analysis of fatal incident reports published by the PPO in the period 2014-2020. The results are discussed in context of the Dying Well in Custody Charter and positioned within the extant literature. ConclusionsThe results suggest that prisoners in long-term high security prisons who are receiving palliative care are more likely than not to receive care that is comparable to that in the community. Directions for further research are also identified.