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| Hospice set up at state prison |
| By clarionledger.com |
| Published: 12/22/2009 |
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A special medical unit at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman is providing dying prisoners a bit of comfort in their final days. "For the inmates, it offers assistance and serenity for the end of life for prison population," said Lawrence Kelly, superintendent of the state prison at Parchman. The six-bed ward provides hospice care to inmates. The unit opened Dec. 9 and has two patients. The concept allows inmates to die in a less institutional setting, Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps said. The ward has clouds painted on the ceilings, soothing paint colors on the walls and a waiting area for visiting family members, Kelly said. Epps said 36 inmates are trained in hospice care and will assist the medical staff in providing 24-hour care. "It's the right thing to do to allow those inmates to die in dignity," he said. Mississippi contracts with Pittsburgh-based Wexford Health Sources Inc. for inmate medical care. The new unit is part of the existing contract with Wexford and will not cost any additional funds, Epps said. Hospice care is given to inmates who are dying but do not qualify for medical parole, Epps said. State law dictates the qualifications for medical parole, which is designed to save the state money on expensive inmate medical care. Sex offenders are not allowed medical parole and violent offenders must serve one year of their sentences before qualifying. Prison officials determine parole. In fiscal 2008-09, 10 inmates received medical parole. Forty-eight inmates died this year in Mississippi prisons. Read More. |
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