Wisconsin Prison Starts Hospice Program

[rodeodance]

I recall about 30-40 years officials let many of the mentally ill out into the community. I expect to see this with the prisons soon.


http://www.channel3000.com/news/14137142/detail.html?rss=c3k&psp=news

Wisconsin Prison Starts Hospice Program
Program Aims To Assist Older Inmates

POSTED: 10:36 pm CDT September 17, 2007
UPDATED: 11:27 am CDT September 18, 2007




WAUPUN, Wis. -- The Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun has started a hospice program in part because of the growing number of older inmates.

For 60-year-old Samuel Thurman, this means he won't have to die alone. Thurman suffers from cancer. Other inmates who volunteer with the hospice program keep him company.

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections started the hospice program at Dodge this year, and it's the state's first.

Hospice Hope of Fond du Lac director Andy Land said that other prisons around the state have shown an interest in establishing hospice programs as well.

Prisons are taking these steps because longer prison sentences and longer life expectancies have resulted in aging inmates who are more likely to have chronic and terminal illnesses.

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