Inmate Caregiver Training for Aging in Prisons

No longer recruiting at 2 trial locations

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Klein Buendel, Inc.

Disqualifiers: Under 18, Non-English speakers

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to improve care for older inmates by training fellow inmates to provide end-of-life care. Participants will complete a computer-based learning program with six modules to become peer caregivers. The trial seeks inmates who are already assisting with elderly or end-of-life care in a state prison, can speak and understand English, and are willing to give consent. By participating, inmates can help enhance the quality of life for aging prisoners.

As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of fellow inmates.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this training program is safe for inmates?

Research shows that the Inmates Care modules are a computer-based training program designed to teach inmates how to care for older prisoners, particularly those nearing the end of life. This program incorporates the best practices in elderly and end-of-life care.

No reports indicate safety concerns or negative effects from participating in these modules. Instead, studies suggest that this training fosters personal growth and a sense of value among inmate caregivers. This indicates the program is well-received and poses no risks to participants.

As an educational program, not a drug or medical device, it is considered safe for use. Participants engage with learning materials, which typically do not cause physical side effects. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Inmates Care modules because they offer a novel approach to caregiver training in prisons, focusing on peer-led support for end-of-life care. Unlike traditional training methods that might require external specialists or in-person classes, this program uses a computer-based learning platform, making it more accessible and scalable within the prison environment. This innovative method empowers inmates to provide compassionate care to their peers, potentially improving the quality of life for aging prisoners and fostering a supportive community.

What evidence suggests that this caregiver training is effective for aging inmates?

Research has shown that Inmates Care modules, which are computer-based training programs, hold promise in helping inmates learn to care for older and dying peers. This trial will evaluate the effectiveness of these modules using a within-subjects, pre-post design with a single intervention. Studies suggest that when inmates care for each other, the quality of care in prisons improves, and the environment becomes more humane. This approach can also reduce healthcare costs and foster a supportive community among inmates. Many participants in caregiving find it to be a life-changing and rewarding experience. Overall, these modules aim to provide consistent training and enhance the well-being of both caregivers and those they assist. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Barbara Walkosz, PhD

Principal Investigator

Klein Buendel, Inc.

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adult inmates who are already providing geriatric or end-of-life care in participating state prisons, as well as prison staff involved with inmate caregiving. Participants must be over 18, speak and understand English, and able to give consent.

Inclusion Criteria

I am an inmate providing care for elderly or terminally ill patients in a state prison.

Able to speak and understand English

Able to consent

Exclusion Criteria

Unable to speak and understand English

I am under 18 years old.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Development and Training

Development of a full-scale media-rich interactive computer-based learning system Inmates Care, consisting of six modules for inmate caregiving training.

6 months

Ongoing development and testing

Usability Testing

Conduct in-person usability testing of the Inmates Care program in two rounds to evaluate logistics, impressions, and user interface.

2 months

2 rounds of testing

Scale-up Testing

Test scale-up of the Inmates Care program in state prisons to evaluate knowledge acquisition outcomes and usage patterns.

3 months

Multiple site visits

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for knowledge retention and program effectiveness after training.

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Inmates Care

Trial Overview The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of e-training programs for inmate peer caregivers. It focuses on improving care for aging prisoners and those nearing the end of life within the U.S. prison system.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Inmates Care modules Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This is a within-subjects, pre-post design with a single intervention. The intervention is a 6 module computer-based learning program for training peer caregivers in end-of-life care.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Klein Buendel, Inc.

Lead Sponsor

Trials

41

Recruited

20,000+

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials

1,841

Recruited

28,150,000+

Penn State University

Collaborator

Trials

380

Recruited

131,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8459735/

Inmates Care: Computer-Based Training for Geriatric and ... The Inmates Care CBT holds promise for contributing to standardization of training received by PCs who are assisting staff in caring for their aged and/or ...

2. healthandjusticejournal.biomedcentral.com healthandjusticejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40352-025-00331-x

Linkages between incarceration and health for older adults The aging population in United States (US) correctional facilities has grown dramatically over the last several decades.

3. forbes.com forbes.com/sites/tomchiodo/2024/12/24/peer-caregiving-in-prisons-a-humane-response-to-a-growing-health-care-crisis/

Peer Caregiving In Prisons: A Humane Response To ... A Humane Approach to Prison Health Care. Peer caregiving can transform the way aging and dying residents receive care in prisons across the ...

4. journals.sagepub.com journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/02692163241242647

How do people in prison access palliative care? A scoping ... Makes prisons humane. • Reduction in healthcare costs. • Involvement of family • Paradigm shift to hospice culture through training • Inmate ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3809039/

Care and companionship in an isolating environment: Inmates ... This study provides clear evidence that providing compassionate care for dying peers may result in transformative experiences for inmate caregivers.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6595484/

Developing educational modules to enhance care of aged ... Each participant completed a demographic questionnaire and generated a comprehensive list of general care issues or special concerns related to older inmate ...

7. hospicebuffalo.com hospicebuffalo.com/news/in-the-news/study-inmate-peer-care-program-finds-caring-dying-fellow-inmates-can-facilitate-positive-growth-incarcerated

Study on Inmate Peer Care Program Finds that ... The study found that caring for dying inmates benefits both the dying and caregivers, leading to personal growth, a sense of worth, and positive transformation.

8. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10509674.2024.2370289

Just Care: usability testing of e-learning modules for peer ... Just Care is an electronic learning (e-learning) course designed to train people living in prison to assist staff by providing care to their ...