The Prison Hospice Movement

Abstract

The Transitus column attempts to share information and inspiration from a wide spectrum of end-of-life practices and disciplines. Years ago, our colleague Fleet Maull from Naropa University recognized a marginalized constituency. In poignant response, he pioneered end-of-life care for those in prison, who would have been otherwise forgotten. I shared news of the National Prison Hospice Association with some of the most influential thanatology educators and practitioners in the country, most of whom had never worked in or around prison systems but were immediate in their positive response. One can only wonder how many other enclaves have been rendered invisible and how much more work there is to do to open our eyes in caring for the medical and spiritual needs of the dying, wherever they are. —Therese Schroeder-Sheker The Chalice of Repose Project www.chaliceofrepose.org