📄 Abstract
This study titled Healthcare Access in Prison: Assessing Medical Transfer Policies and the Right to Health of Women PDLs, explores the lived experiences and aspirations of women Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) personnel regarding healthcare access and medical transfer processes within the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW). Guided by the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) and Social Justice Theory, and using a qualitative method, the study upholds that the right to health is a universal entitlement, even within incarceration. Through Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and thematic analysis, findings revealed that while efforts exist to provide healthcare, women PDLs experience delays in hospital transfers, limited medical supplies, insufficient staff, and privacy concerns. BuCor personnel acknowledged challenges in balancing their security functions with compassionate care, emphasizing the need for improved coordination and logistical support. The study concludes that systemic reform is vital to ensure equitable, dignified, and gender-responsive healthcare. It recommends integrating modern health systems, digital monitoring tools, and rights-based medical protocols to promote humane treatment and uphold the inherent dignity of women PDLs under the HRBA framework.
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📚 How to Cite:
Christian Gilbuena Ungui , HEALTHCARE ACCESS IN PRISON: ASSESSING MEDICAL TRANSFER POLICIES AND THE RIGHT TO HEALTH OF WOMEN PDLs , Volume 11 , Issue 1, January 2026, EPRA International Journal of Research & Development (IJRD) ,