For the past ten years, I have provided support services to a local hospice. To this end, I have presented hospice related material on the benefits of hospice care at end of life, bereavement services for families, and what patients want during this important and critical time. More recently, I began volunteering in a prison giving support service to the inmates who sit vigil at the bedside of the dying; inmates are carefully chosen to provide this much needed service. During the inmate hospice support group process I learned about the Federal Bureau of Prisons Compassionate Release program that addresses end of life issues for inmates. Last year, 2013, changes were made that will now slowly go into effect supporting the ending process so that inmates will have the opportunity to petition for compassionate release if they meet the following requirements.
1-The first change addresses medical release. This allows the dying inmate the opportunity to seek compassionate release within 18 months of their anticipated death. In the past, the petition for compassionate release could not be made before twelve months.
1-The first change addresses medical release. This allows the dying inmate the opportunity to seek compassionate release within 18 months of their anticipated death. In the past, the petition for compassionate release could not be made before twelve months.
2-The second set of changes allows an inmate to apply for compassionate release if a caregiver becomes incapacitated or dies.
3- A third set of changes allows elderly prisoners who are "not necessarily dying or seriously incapacitated to seek early release. Prisoners 65 and older can seek early release if they have served 50% or more of their life sentence, have chronic or serious medical conditions relating to aging or their ability to function has been seriously diminished. Even without such medical conditions, a prisoner 65 or older who has served 10 years or 75 % of his sentence, whichever is greater, can also apply for early release."
When instituted, the above new compassionate release program regulations from prisons will allow for the psychological and spiritual process as well as dignity at end of life.
Love, Light, Healing and Blessings
Ruth Starseed Hoskins, Ph.D., H.H.S., LCSW
www.RelaxationInternational.com
RuthStarseed.blogspot.com
3- A third set of changes allows elderly prisoners who are "not necessarily dying or seriously incapacitated to seek early release. Prisoners 65 and older can seek early release if they have served 50% or more of their life sentence, have chronic or serious medical conditions relating to aging or their ability to function has been seriously diminished. Even without such medical conditions, a prisoner 65 or older who has served 10 years or 75 % of his sentence, whichever is greater, can also apply for early release."
When instituted, the above new compassionate release program regulations from prisons will allow for the psychological and spiritual process as well as dignity at end of life.
Love, Light, Healing and Blessings
Ruth Starseed Hoskins, Ph.D., H.H.S., LCSW
www.RelaxationInternational.com
RuthStarseed.blogspot.com
