“It’s one of the most unique things I do as bereavement coordinator for Serenity Hospice,” said Cathy Warren. “Just the atmosphere, the respect they show me and the mission is very unique. They do not want anyone to die alone regardless of their past.”
Dixon Correctional Center began its prisoner hospice program in 1995 and was one of the first in the nation to offer hospice to their dying inmates. They are currently one of approximately 20 prisons in the nation to offer this service to their inmates.
The inmates are chosen through a very rigorous selection process. Up to 50 inmates apply each year to be a hospice volunteer but only 8-9 are chosen. They are then trained through an extensive process that teaches them all aspects of helping someone through their death.
Older inmates in Illinois prisons are growing as the total population in prisons rise and as sentences are longer. Also, inmates are now also serving more of their sentences. All of this adds up to more inmates dying in prison from long illnesses.
Warren says that the training is very similar to the training she provides to Serenity’s own volunteers.

“These inmates get to know the dying person very well,” Warren said. “I help them learn how to sit with a dying person. How to listen. Especially in this situation the dying person is often dealing with regret.”
The bereavement skills she teaches are not just for the dying inmate, but also for the hospice volunteer.
“They usually have gotten to know this person really well, so the volunteer must process their own grief as well,” said Warren.
Another issue Warren usually faces when visiting these hospice volunteers, is that prisoners are missing the deaths of their loved ones on the outside.
“Although I am at the prison to teach the inmates how to help someone through their death, it often comes up that someone the prisoner loves on the outside is dying or has died.” Warren said. “Part of the inmate’s punishment of being confined is missing out on the deaths of family members and friends. They can’t attend services. They can’t say goodbye.”
Warren says that she often ends of just talking with the inmates about the deaths they have missed or the family members that are dying.
“An important part of acceptance when it comes to death, is actually seeing the body of the loved one,” Warren said. “Prisoners, who have loved ones die on the outside, usually aren’t allowed this part of the bereavement process.”
Warren truly enjoys training the inmates and she is always eager to attend their special volunteer luncheon at the prison during April for National Volunteer Week.
“I like following up with them and hearing their stories,” Warren said. “Training bereavement skills to the inmates has become a special part of my job and a special program that Serenity Hospice and Home is proud to be a part of.”