This article reports the findings of the largest qualitative study with incarcerated Aboriginal women in New South Wales, and their experience with access to healthcare.

The primary objective of this research was to understand better the realities of wāhine (women) Māori living with partner violence, from their perspective. More specifically, the authors wanted to know how they kept safe and protect their tamariki (Maori children) when living in unsafe relationships and environments, with often limited resources and help.

This article argues that the adoption of social and emotional wellbeing as an explanatory framework for culturally secure healthcare in prison is essential to improving health outcomes of Aboriginal mothers in prison in Australia.