The Louisiana State Penitentiary: Angola prison hospice

Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola) has a large population of aging men serving long sentences with little hope of reprieve. Eighty-five percent of the 5108 inmates currently incarcerated at Angola are expected to die there. The prison, in partnership with University Hospital Community Hospice in New Orleans, has created a program that meets criteria set by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization for community hospice programs. The hospice was developed and services are delivered without additional cost to the prison. Consultation, training and support have been provided by the community hospice. Care is provided within the prison infirmary, by prison staff and inmate volunteers.