On Thursday 4th June 2026, Palliative Care NSW joined organisations from across Australia for the National Palliative Care in Prisons Workshop, hosted by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) as part of the Palliative Care in Prisons Project.
This project, led by Professor Jane Phillips will design a new National Framework for palliative care in Australian prisons, including the development of national policies, a clinical service model of care and a toolkit of resources. The project aims to improve access to evidence-based, culturally-safe, high-quality palliative and end-of-life care for people in prisons. Organisations from all Australian states and territories were involved in the co-designed project, including Justice Health, correctional services and a number of specialised working groups.
The workshop highlighted key findings from each of the five development phases of the project. The project was initiated in 2018 after Professor Phillips encountered nurses from Justice Health NSW, where she first heard of the challenges in caring for individuals in prison and the profound impact of providing this care. People with life-limiting illnesses in prison are recognised as an underserved population, with complex health needs and a high risk and prevalence of chronic disease. There is also an increasing number of older people in Australian prisons, which will only exacerbate these issues.
Associate Professor Michelle DiGiacomo presented her findings on one of the studies conducted throughout the project, Experiences of Families of People in Prison who died an Expectant Death. Using a broad definition of family due to the complex nature of relationships within the prison system, the study interviewed family members of people in Australian prisons with a progressive life-limiting disease. Results of the study are expected to be published later this year, with findings surrounding the challenges experienced by family members, system gaps and the impact on palliative and end-of-life care for people in prisons, as well as the implementation of a model of care within these services.
Professor Jane Phillips also presented on the Experiences of those Caring for People with Palliative Care Needs in Prisons: Voices from the Field, highlighting accounts of clinicians providing palliative care to people in prisons, as well as other staff members from various roles within the prison system. The paper is expected to be released in 2027, with findings covering patient and provider factors such as patient attitudes of palliative care and the personal impacts of palliative care on staff within prisons.
Professor Meg Williams also presented on Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Governance Guidelines in National Research and Framework Development: The PiP Journey So Far. The national study emphasised the importance of culturally safe care as determined by Mob and the practice of ongoing critical reflection by providers of care. Professor Williams also highlighted the 2025 guide for general practice by the National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP), Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners in Primary Health Care.
The full collection of research outputs from the Palliative Care in Prisons Project, including the new National Framework for palliative care in Australian prisons, are expected to be released in 2027.
Learn more about the Palliative Care in Prisons Project and stay up to date with research outputs here: https://www.uts.edu.au/research/centres/impacct/about-us/impacct-research/palliative-care/palliative-care-prisons-project