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

AbstractAimTo 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