AIMS: To clarify the concept of prison abolition in the context of United States mass incarceration and to discuss its implications for nursing ethics, knowledge production, and practice. DESIGN: A critical literature review using Rodger's evolutionary concept analysis. METHODS: We coded and thematically analysed sources to identify associated terms, attributes, antecedents, and consequences of the concept of prison abolition. DATA SOURCES: We searched six databases and a book catalogue between May 2024 and April 2025 to yield a sample of 30 interdisciplinary academic texts. No date limits were set. RESULTS: We identified nine attributes: Counterhegemonic, Recognizing Carceral Harm and Failure, New Public Discourse, Incremental, Culture of Care, Equitable Justice, Elimination Not Reform, Evolving, and Grassroots with consistent interdisciplinary and temporal characterization. There is a relative absence of this concept in nursing literature even though it addresses health concerns. CONCLUSION: Prison abolition aligns with the American Nursing Association's Nursing Code of Ethics and could inform and guide nurses toward improvements in health equity. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION: Nursing in the United States has not engaged with abolition as much as other disciplines, but our Code of Ethics compels us to. Prison abolition is concerned with health equity, and marginalized populations could benefit if we incorporate the concept into our practice, scholarship, and advocacy. IMPACT: This review addressed a potential lack of understanding or awareness of the concept of prison abolition within nursing discourse. The main finding is that this concept aligns with U.S. nursing ethics. This research may impact nurses looking to incorporate a theory and practice to improve approaches to health equity. REPORTING METHOD: We were unable to find an EQUATOR reporting method for concept analyses. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.
Birnley et al. (Mon,) studied this question.