“Just clearly the right thing to do”: perspectives of correctional services leaders on moving governance of health-care in custody

Abstract

Purpose Governance models are a defining characteristic of health-care systems, yet little research is available about the governance of health-care delivered in correctional facilities. This study aims to explore the perspectives of correctional services leaders in British Columbia, Canada, on the motivations for transferring responsibility for health-care services in provincial correctional facilities to the Ministry of Health, as well as key lessons learned. Design/methodology/approach Eight correctional services leaders participated in one-on-one interviews between September 2019 and February 2020. The authors used inductive thematic analysis to explore key themes. To triangulate early effects of the transfer identified by participants the authors used complaints data from Prisoners’ Legal Services to examine changes over time. Findings The authors identified four major themes related to the rationale for this transfer: 1) quality and equivalence of care, 2) integration and throughcare, 3) values and expertise and 4) funding and resources. Facilitators included changes in the external environment, having the right people in the right places, a strong sense of alignment and shared goals and a changing culture in corrections. Participants also highlighted challenges, including ongoing human resourcing issues, having to navigate and define shared responsibilities and adapting a large bureaucracy to the environment in corrections. Consistent with outcomes described by participants, data showed that a lower proportion of complaints received after the transfer were related to health-care. Originality/value The perspectives of correctional leaders on the transfer of governance for health-care services in custody to the community health-care system provide novel insights into the processes and potential of this change.