Provision of clinical Services on the Well-Being of Inmates in Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services: A Case of Harare Central Prison, Harare Province, Zimbabwe
              
              
                Abstract:This study aimed to investigate the provision of clinical services on the well-being of inmates with life-threatening illnesses in Harare Central Prison, Zimbabwe. The study objective was to explore the  extent to which the provision  of clinical services  has  affected  the  well-being  of  inmates  with  life-threatening  illnesses. Inadequate  provision  of  healthcare  services  in  prisons  attribute  as  life-threatening. Therefore, the study aimed at improving the welfare of inmates through advocacy and participation of the prison systems to enhance healthcare services. The study utilised a   qualitative   approach   and   a   case   study   design   through   the   reference   of   a transformative worldview paradigm. The units of observation for this study were the prison officials in charge of healthcare services in the prison, and the units of analysis were  inmates  who  have  been  diagnosed  with  life-threatening  illnesses.  The  sample size was 13 interviewees  which were obtained through purposive sampling and data saturation. Self-administered in-depth interviews were used to collect data. Thematic analysis was applied for data analysis and study findings were discussed and presented in  the  form  of  narrations. From  the  findings,  the  researcher  found  out  that  the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services cannot contain life-threatening illnesses. The dignity of such patients is highly recognised and thus such cases are special cases in which compassionate release is  well observed. Through lack  of funding from the government, the prison faces severe shortages of medicines, vital drugs, insufficient equipment and nutrition for supporting its overall inmate population. The study found out that there is no specific special diet for inmates with life-threatening illnesses but instead  they  feed  on  fad  diet  which  slows  down  the  healing  process. The  study concluded  that  the  inmate  population  whose  care  needs  palliative  attention  is vulnerable since they have limited options. Also, overcrowding and poor ventilation is a major concern which has accelerated spreading of communicable diseases. The study recommended unrestricted clinical independence between prison healthcare providers  and  inmates,  introducing  fulltime  trauma-informed  care  and  self-help groups in prisons that cut across all illnesses and enhancing open door policies which attract more funding from outsiders and relevant partners.