- Published: September 25, 2022
- Updated: September 25, 2022
- Level: Undergraduate
- Language: English
- Downloads: 35
As an old man in prison, Jack Hallway suffered from an ailment. His advanced age made it difficult for him to breathe because he contracted pneumonia. He was however still serving his sentence for murder and Jack had to spend his dying days in Iowa State Penitentiary hospice. The hospice in the penitentiary where Jack was incarcerated was however humane enough because it provided a place for a person to die with dignity. There, volunteers gave their time, energy and talent for Jack’s remaining days. These volunteers provided humanity to Jack in his dying days despite his conviction as a murderer and Jack died as a human being.
The documentary touched me in a way that it made me realize that all human beings should be treated with dignity in their last days. In the case of Jack, he was not treated as an inmate #801309 but rather as a person when he was about to die. This way, the documentary portrayed the humanity of offenders such as Jack that they too deserve to die with dignity just like everyone else. The scene where pictures of family were posted on the walls for Jack to see during his dying days in the hospice was very touching and admittedly, left a permanent impression on me. This scene made me think how many inmates such as Jack remain in prison whom we have neglected because of their past offenses.
Finally, the documentary made me realized that no matter what crime a person has done, everyone deserves to die with dignity because we are human beings.