Prison End‑of‑Life Companion Training Program

The Prison End-of-Life Companion Training Program is a trauma-informed initiative designed for correctional settings, supporting people in custody to become trained companions for peers experiencing serious illness, ageing, grief, dying, and end of life while in custody.

As prison populations age and increasing numbers of people experience serious illness and death in custody, correctional systems are being challenged to respond with greater dignity, humanity, and compassionate care. Many people in prison face the end of life with limited family presence, restricted cultural or spiritual connection, and few opportunities for meaningful emotional support.

This program responds to those realities by strengthening compassionate peer-based support within custodial environments, helping reduce isolation and ensuring people do not have to face dying alone.

Delivered through facilitated workshops, reflective activities, discussion, and experiential learning, the program supports the development of:

• Compassionate peer support and active listening

• Trauma-informed communication skills

• Emotional awareness and self-regulation

• Greater death literacy and understanding of grief

• Boundaries, ethics, and confidentiality

• Presence and companionship at end of life

• Cultural awareness surrounding death and dying

The program is designed to be accessible across diverse custodial environments and can be adapted to suit the needs of individual facilities and participant groups.

Peer companion models internationally have demonstrated the potential to:

• Reduce isolation for people dying in custody

• Foster empathy and community connection

• Support emotional wellbeing within facilities

• Create opportunities for responsibility and meaningful contribution

• Encourage more compassionate prison cultures

This work also recognises the profound impact that caregiving and compassionate presence can have on the peers providing support themselves, offering opportunities for purpose, reflection, and restorative contribution within prison communities.

Program Availability

Expressions of interest are currently open for:

• Correctional facilities

• Rehabilitation and reintegration programs

• Community justice organisations

• Trauma-informed care initiatives

• Pilot programs and collaborative partnerships

For partnership enquiries, program discussions, or implementation opportunities, please get in touch through the contact page.