PATRICE DOWD, STEPHANIE

SCOTT & EMILY LUCAS

Aging Behind Bars:

Prison Hospice

“Graying” of the Prison Population

1 in 10 inmates in America are serving life sentences.

Prisoners age 7-10 years faster than free individuals.

50 is considered elderly in prison populations.

http://www.criminaljusticedegreehub.com/geriatric-prisoners

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Compassionate Alternatives

Compassionate Release: Terminally ill prisoners who pose no threat to themselves or society and have family to care for them may be granted compassionate release from prison.

Prison Hospice: An end of life care program located in the prison using an interdisciplinary team consisting of doctors, nurses, social workers, family members, and hospice volunteer inmates.

http://npha.org/about/

Prison Hospice

There are currently 69 known Prison Hospice programs in the United states.

Along with medical care, Prison Hospice provides emotional and spiritual support that helps prepare for the end of life.

The elements of security and safety within a prison distinguish it from hospice programs in the community.

http://www.nhpco.org/sites/default/files/public/Access/Corrections/CorrectionsQualityGuidelines.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwB6SL7YXb0

Inmates as Caregivers

A large part of prison hospice is the inclusion of inmates as caregivers

Dying inmates in prison hospice create a stronger connection with inmate hospice volunteers vs. community volunteers.

Inmates in the role of caregivers gain purpose, compassion and are thought to reform through their work in this program.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUPQlXMdZHQ (up to minutę 2)

Cost of Elderly in Prison

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/10/cost-care-aging-prisoners/2479285

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References

http://www.mintpressnews.com/special-report-elderly-prison-population-taking-unnecessary-toll-on-taxpayers/

http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/01/26/us-number-aging-prisoners-soaring

http://www.criminaljusticedegreehub.com/geriatric-prisoners/

http://ajh.sagepub.com/content/early/2013/09/25/1049909113506035.long http://www.nhpco.org/sites/default/files/public/Access/Corrections/Correcti

onsQualityGuidelines.pdf

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/10/cost-care-aging-prisoners/2479285/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2013/10/30/state-spending-on-prison-health-care-is-exploding-heres-why/