Table 1.

Discussion Guide for Inmate Workers/Volunteers Who Care for their Fellow Inmates

Could you tell me a bit about your role in caring for your fellow inmates, what you do here at SCI _____________? Is this a volunteer or a paid position? Can you tell me about a time [a specific story] when you were involved in providing care for a dying inmate (Note: need not be at the moment they died)? If they have never provided care for a fellow inmate who was nearing their end of life, inquire if they have ever witnessed a fellow inmate dying and if they could describe that experience (including the care received)? [Note: here we are seeking experiences they have had (could be in their role as a volunteer/worker or personal experience with an inmate friend who was dying).] Did you consider their death to be a good death? (if so, how so, if not why not?) How did that experience affect you personally? What kinds of things support you in providing good care to your fellow inmates with serious health conditions or those who are dying here at SCI ____________? What kinds of things get in the way of good end-of-life care here at SCI _______ [here we are looking for barriers]? What are some things you think that you do really well in regard to end-of-life care here at SCI _________? [better than most] Can you tell me about some area(s) in regard to end-of-life care here are SCI _______ where there is room for improvement? Before we close is there anything else about end-of-life care here at SCI ______ that you would like to share?