Nursing in a prison context: A focused mapping review and synthesis of international nursing literature

Abstract

AimTo provide a snapshot of the extent to which nursing and the prison context features in non‐specialist/generic nursing journals.DesignFocused mapping review and synthesis.MethodsRelevant articles were examined for the extent to which they featured nursing and the prison context. A descriptive and contextual analysis of the data was carried out to provide a topography and synthesis of the key trends identified.Data SourcesArticles meeting criteria for nursing and the prison context in relevant non‐specialized, generic nursing journals (n = 7) from January 2018 to December 2022.ResultsFour thousand, nine hundred and twelve (n = 4912) articles were published during the review period of which (n = 14) met inclusion criteria. The key trends identified are presented under three headings: taking an advocacy approach for better health and well‐being, examining self‐determination and autonomy in prison populations and nursing in the prison context.ConclusionNursing and the prison context features in non‐specialized and generic nursing journals but sparsely and infrequently. There is a need for greater visibility of nursing and the prison context in nursing journals to help reduce stigma and marginalization of those working and those detained in prison.Implication for the Profession and/or Patient CareNurses working in prison environments often manage extremely complex care needs. It is necessary to feature all nursing care environments in nursing journals so as to increase visibility and to act as a source of education for all.Impact (What Problem Did the Study Address? Main Findings? Where/Whom Will the Research Have Impact on)The findings of this review will have impact on all nurses engaged in practice and research as it highlights the extent to which nursing in a prison context is featured in non‐specialized nursing journals and also speaks to the challenges faced by those working and detained in prison.Patient or Public ContributionNo patient or public contribution. This was a review of existing literature.

Understudied phenomena and emerging methodologies in nursing and midwifery: What's new on the horizon?

“…Health disparities among different demographic groups continue to be a significant challenge in healthcare and a growing area of interest.Nursingresearchisincreasinglyfocusedonidentifyingtheroot causes of health inequalities and developing targeted nursing interventions to address them. For example, included in this special issue are studies about vulnerable populations including prisoners (Bright et al, 2023), abused women (Halldorsdottir, 2023) and those experiencing housing instability (Robinson et al, 2023). From the perspective of female survivors, Halldorsdottir (2023) looked at the impact male intimate terrorism had on survivors.…”

“…From the perspective of female survivors, Halldorsdottir (2023) looked at the impact male intimate terrorism had on survivors. Halldorsdottir (2023) concluded that nurses need to be aware of the danger and be able to screenforintimateterrorism.Nursesneedtohavetheknowledge and skills to be able to provide trauma-focussed care to women who have been victims of such trauma (Halldorsdottir, 2023).Amapping and review synthesis conducted by Bright et al (2023) provided a snapshot of how sporadically articles in relation to nursing in the prison context are published in nonspecialist/generic nursing journals highlighting the necessity for increasing publication of nursing in the prison context with the aim of reducing stigma and marginalization of prisoners or people working in prisons (Bright et al, 2023). Robinson et al (2023) described how pregnancy health among birthing and postpartum people is impacted by housing instability.…”