Vulnerability of the population deprived of liberty: conceptual analysis

Abstract Objective To analyze the concept of vulnerability of the population deprived of liberty using the method proposed by Walker and Avant through a scoping review. Methods This is a conceptual analysis according to the Walk and Avant method, carried out from a scoping review registered under DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/XTBK9, with the guiding question: What are the elements of the concept of health vulnerability of the population deprived of liberty? The concept was selected, the objectives of the conceptual analysis were determined, the possible uses of the concept were identified, the defining attributes were delimited, the model case and the opposite case were observed, in addition to the identification of antecedents and consequents. Results To compose the literary corpus, 17 studies were selected. The concept of vulnerability of the prison population was defined as the greater exposure to insufficient conditions for a healthy life. Two defining attributes were identified, such as “susceptibility” and “insufficient conditions for a healthy life”. Twenty-three antecedents were identified, highlighting gender, education, socioeconomic level, racism, history of sexual abuse and deprivation of food. As for the consequents, 32 were observed, highlighting the use of illicit drugs, physical violence, difficulty in accessing health services, architectural structure in ruins, unsanitary environment, prison overcrowding and reincarceration. Conclusion The study demonstrated the multidimensionality of the concept of vulnerability of the population deprived of liberty and the relevance of its precise definition for the advancement of knowledge and for accurate communication in nursing.