| Prison Support Project |
Prison Support Project
Since 1998, Louisiana State Penitentiary (LSP) at Angola, LA has become a model for end-of-life care within corrections. Angola’s commitment to improving end-of-life care within the institution has helped transform one of America’s “Bloody Prison” into a national model for corrections as depicted in the documentary, Opening the Door: Angola Prison Hospice. The dedication of the Angola administration, staff and inmates resulted in LSP’s Hospice being recognized by American Hospital Association in 2000 with the Circle of Life (254k PDF), awarded for “their outstanding innovations and commitment.” LMHPCO supports and encourages better end-of-life care within correctional facilities and this support has resulted in additional Louisiana Correctional facilities launching hospice initiatives. In September 2006, LMHPCO held the first of many Volunteer training at Angola attended by 119 inmates from 5 state male correctional facilities throughout Louisiana. In March 2007, the program was repeated at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW) at St Gabriel, LA. LMHPCO was grateful for the early support of the E. Rhodes and Leona B Carpenter Foundation in funding these projects, as well as in making scholarships available to encourage the continuing education for hospice professionals within corrections and inmate hospice volunteers. In April 2008, the LMHPCO’s Prison Support Project expanded to include the Mississippi State Penitentiary (MSP) at Parchman, MS. With LMHPCO’s support Mississippi Corrections launched their Palliative Care Program in 2009. In addition to LSP at Angola, LCIW at St Gabriel, LA and MSP at Parchman, MS, LMHPCO provides educational and technical support to the incarcerated hospice volunteers and correctional professionals at Dixon Correctional Institute (DCI) in Jackson, LA, BB Rayburn Correctional Center in Angie, LAand Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in St Gabriel, LA In 2014, the Kelly Ann Brown Foundation became a major benefactor to the LMHPCO Prison Hospice Support Project, providing scholarships and funding for educational support to correctional/healthcare professionals and incarcerated volunteers. In 2019, LMHPCO advocated on behalf of incarcerated hospice volunteers at Angola and was successful in convincing the Louisiana Legislature to overwhelming pass HB 431, lifting prohibitions on hospice agencies hiring of ex-offenders and creating a pathway for potential employment once paroled or pardoned. The law established a special Louisiana Department of Health Registry for qualified - formerly incarcerated - hospice volunteers who want to work as “hospice aides” within a hospice agency in the state, once paroled or pardoned. In May 2023, LMHPCO launched a new training for Bereavement Support Peer Facilitators to lead small Bereavement Support groups within their communities. Angola, Hunt, LCIW, Rayburn and Parchman facilities are all included in this training led by psychiatric residents at Tulane School of Medicine. LMHPCO hopes to certify 23 inmate hospice volunteers (in four of the five prison facilities listed above) to facilitate Grief Support Groups within their respective prisons before the end of 2023. Here’s a picture of the first class at Rayburn Correctional in Angie LA to complete the 15-week training.
Warden Travis Day, and Asst Warden over Treatment Flyoyd Brooks were present as Dr Gem Bautman, MD and Jamey Boudreaux presented LMHPCO Certificates of Completion to inmate volunteers: Fredrick Campbell, Antonio Cuza, Nathaniel Gibson, Odoineau Samuels, Walter Sologaistoa and Kinoski Wilson. Rayburn Correctional plans to launch their first support groups open to general population during the upcoming holiday season. The other prisons participating in this same training program are located at Angola, Elayne Hunt Correctional, and LCIW (in Louisiana), as well as Parchman (in Mississippi). In 2025 and 2026, LMHPCO plans to conduct state-wide trainings for incarcerated hospice volunteers not only at Parchman, but also Central Mississippi Correctional Facility & Mississippi Correctional Institute for Women. BE A HERO! Consider a tax deductible donation to LMHPCO's Prison Support Project, providing educational support and funding for the continued development of palliative and End-of-Life Care within Correctional facilities in Louisiana and Mississippi. With limited state continuing educational resources, correctional professionals depend upon our support for their continuing hospice education. LMHPCO actively seeks grants to defray the cost of their education. As a 501(c)(3), all donations to LMHPCO are tax deductible. For details contact 888-546-1500 extension 7 or mail your donations to: LMHPCO Prison Prison Support Project |
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