Prison Inmates Serving as Hospice Volunteers (Video 4:17 mins.)

[Frances Shani Parker]

Did you know that prison inmates are serving as hospice volunteers? They provide a special comfort that may be missing in the lives of some prisoners, especially those who no longer have attentive relationships beyond prison walls. Many serving life sentences, including some volunteers, know they will die in confinement. Nurturing support given by familiar faces of those who have also experienced the prison system can enhance prisoners’ quality of life during the dying process. This video titled “Will Anybody Cry When I Die?” shows hospice inmates helping a fellow prisoner during his end-of-life journey at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, Louisiana. Later, they prepare and honor him with a death ritual. Watching this video, you might find yourself feeling distant from the depression, fear, and violence commonly associated with prison life. You might be sensing the caregiving compassion of hospice volunteers who happen to be prisoners. Frances Shani Parker, Author "Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes” "Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog"

[Frances Shani Parker]

Irene, I'm glad this information was helpful to you. The video titled “Will Anybody Cry When I Die?” with hospice prison inmates is quite moving and one of my favorites.

Frances

[Irene Smith]

Francis. Thank you so much for this information. I will view this video when I am at better equipment. Im very excited about it. I will also send this along to the co ordinator of the volunteer program at Vacaville.

Friday I facilitated a day long touch workshop for the inmates at Vacaville . I will post it on this discussion soon.. Blessings Irene smith