Natural Death in Canadian Federal Corrections

As prison populations stay longer in Canadian federal custody, they are equally getting older. As ages increase, older persons in custody (OPiC) require greater health services. At the same time, the challenge of reducing natural death of OPiC persists, yet natural death remains understudied in the Canadian correctional context. Our article engages in a thematic analysis of Office of Correctional Investigator (OCI) reports and other pertinent documents to understand natural death in Canadian federal corrections. Through our analysis, we outline four issues: (1) access to healthcare for OPiC, (2) prison palliative care, (3) compassionate release, and (4) dying with dignity. Our findings suggest that these four issues nuance the natural death conversation, especially the ongoing dialogue between OCI and Correctional Service Canada. We conclude with recommendations and future considerations for this timely, warranted, and grim matter.