An opportunity to 'be someone else': the perceptions and experiences of male and female peer support workers in two US state prisons

Purpose
In response to the increasing numbers of older, frail and dying persons in Western prisons and associated healthcare costs, awareness of the need of high-quality peer care in correctional facilities is growing. This paper aims to describe perceptions and experiences of male and female peer caregivers in two US prisons regarding their roles.

Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected via focus groups with peer caregivers (n = 15) incarcerated in two US state prisons and examined using thematic analysis.

Findings
Three themes were identified: “motivation and benefits”, “challenges and costs” and “learning” associated with caregiving. The findings point to differences between male and female caregivers’ motivation to perform the roles. While male peer caregivers in the sample appeared to be motivated by issues related to identity, masculinity and religious beliefs, female peer caregivers cited the value of meaningful relationships. However, there were several similarities between male and female’s daily experiences and learning needs, and both groups enjoyed intrinsic and extrinsic rewards associated with their roles.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to conjointly describe male and female peer caregiver views and experiences of caring for older persons or persons with life-limiting illness. Findings underscore the need for more research aimed at making explicit the varying benefits of peer caregiving behind bars, as well as policies ensuring increased training for peer caregivers and correctional staff.