Psychiatry and the dying prisoner

Abstract

Due to the growing number of ageing prisoners in the American correctional system, penal institutions are increasingly caring for patients with chronic and potentially terminal medical conditions. To address this problem states have attempted sentencing reform initiatives and adopted compassionate release programmes; however, these efforts have failed to significantly reduce the number of elderly or seriously ill inmates. Correctional mental health services are now called upon to aid in the care of prisoners at the end of life. This article presents the common elements of prison hospice programmes and the role psychiatry plays in this multidisciplinary effort. The right-to-die movement holds future implications for correctional mental health professionals. The historical and legal background of this international movement is presented with particular attention given to landmark cases and statutes protecting institutionalized patients.

Keywords:

• Prison
• prisoner
• end of life
• hospice
• palliative care
• assisted suicide
• right to die
• bereavement
• decisional capacity
• mental illness

Disclosure statement

The author reports no conflicts of interest. The author alone is responsible for the content and writing of the paper.