ABSTRACT
This chapter identifies the significance of chronic disease (CD) management in prisons, explores the role of healthcare professionals (HCPs) and recognises the challenges they face in supporting prisoners with the diagnosis, treatment and progression of CD to end-of-life care. It highlights that the prisoners and their families have the potential to experience multiple losses and feelings of chronic sorrow. The chapter explores the challenges for HCPs working with prisoners in the context of the transition of chronic condition to palliative and end-of-life care and the potential for chronic sorrow. It draws attention to CD management in prison illustrated by responses from the UK Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Health to address inequality in healthcare provision. Imprisonment restrains the personal liberty of an individual, removing autonomy with the effect of reducing self-esteem. The relationship between imprisonment, CD and the experience of multiple losses was established, determining the factors contributing to chronic sorrow.
