Humanitarian guidelines emphasise that equitable access to health care is a fundamental right of all prisoners. The Victorian prison population is growing and ageing, with an associated increase in the requirement for cancer care. This is a uniquely disadvantaged group with high rates of comorbidity and complex health needs, who face additional challenges in accessing cancer care related to equally complex and rigid medical and justice systems. Health professionals providing care to prisoners with cancer also face barriers in providing optimal care to this group.
As the major provider of tertiary medical care to male prisoners in Victoria, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne is unique in being able to document the outcomes of prisoners with cancer and explore the experiences of health professionals caring for them. Our data identifies a number of potential areas for improvement.