Hospice for dying prisoners.

This is the first time I recall seeing in ADC death notices that terminally ill prisoners are dying in hospice...I hope this represents a trend towards more hospice placements and compassionate releases being granted for prisoners not expected to outlive their sentences. Whatever the nature of a person's crime may be, knowing you will die of a terminal illness in prison before your sentence expires must be a frightening, isolating experience - especially when it occurs at a young age.


I hope the short bit of time these prisoners had in hospice helped facilitate some measure of comfort at a time of great suffering, spiritual healing as they came to terms with the end of life, and a path to making peace with themselves and amends to victims wherever it may have been needed and possible.


Thank you, Hospice of the Valley, for your gracious embrace. That seems to be a politically courageous move. Thank you, as well, to whomever at the AZ Department of Corrections facilitated their placement there. I've given the ADC nothing but grief on this issue, about which I clearly know very little.


Condolences to Lopez' and Davenport's surviving loved ones.

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ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
JANICE K. BREWER GOVERNOR
1601 W. JEFFERSON PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85007 (602) 542-3133
CHARLES L. RYAN DIRECTOR

For more information contact:

Barrett Marson
www.bmarson@azcorrections.gov

Bill Lamoreaux
www.blamorea@azcorrections.gov

August 9, 2010
Inmate Death Notification

Florence, Ariz. – Inmate Angel Lopez, 23, ADC #214893, died Saturday at Hospice of the Valley from apparent natural causes. Lopez was transported to the hospice on May 27.

Lopez, sentenced out of Maricopa County, was serving 10.5 years for a drive by shooting. He came to ADC March 6, 2007, and was housed at the Central Unit of ASPC-Florence.

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August 9, 2010
Inmate Death Notification

Goodyear, Ariz. – Inmate Dora Davenport, 47, ADC #88860, died Friday at Hospice of the Valley from apparent natural causes. Davenport was transported to the hospice on Aug. 3.

Davenport, sentenced out of Maricopa County, was serving 20 years for child prostitution. She came to ADC Jan. 3, 1992, and was housed at ASPC-Perryville.

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