In Central California Women’s Facility, no one has to die alone

Ensuring that no one at Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) will die alone is one of the missions of the Comfort Care program at the institution. 

In 1998, Judith Barnett and Jeanne Pacheco had an idea for a program that would help provide comfort and assistance to individuals housed in CCWF’s Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), including those nearing the end of their lives. Both Barnett and Pacheco were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, so the thought of dying in prison was very real to them.

“We had had a couple of deaths at the institution. Someone had died alone in SNF,” Barnett said. “Pacheco said she didn’t want to die in this prison alone. I said I didn’t either.”

An idea was born. The pair approached CCWF’s then-warden Celestine “Teena” Farmon about the prospect of incarcerated people providing outreach to individuals who lived in SNF, especially those who were in hospice.

According to Barnett, Farmon relayed that Nancy Hinds, founder of Hinds Hospice, had contacted CCWF about starting a program around that same time. 

“It was a God thing. It just all came together,” said Barnett.

After securing approvals and authorizations, Barnett and Pacheco canvassed for incarcerated individuals within CCWF who were interested in participating. 

“We did a big, huge interview process,” said Barnett. “Pacheco and I were very guarded about who we used. Administration let us be there for all of it.” 

Barnett added that those conducting the interviews wanted to know everything about the applicants to ensure they had a positive mindset as well as integrity.

“We knew about their prison activities, good and illegal. We were very conscious of their behaviors,” said Barnett.

Comfort Care volunteers were then trained in providing hospice care and sitting vigil when someone is declared terminal. 

The mission of the program hit home when Pacheco was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Pacheco was rehoused in the SNF and had visits from Comfort Care volunteers, the same volunteers she had helped train. Pacheco died on July 4, 2006, waiting to be transported to Madera Community Hospital. 

Barnett carried on their legacy up until her sentence was commuted and she paroled in 2019. During her time at CCWF, she was a fixture in the Women’s Advisory Council (later Inmate Advisory Council), strongly advocating for policy change and the rights of those at CCWF. Despite her many accomplishments as an Advisory Council member, Barnett is most proud of helping to found Comfort Care. 

“Of all the things I did when I was here, this is my crowning jewel,” Barnett said.

From its inception until now, volunteers have gone to the SNF so they can get to know the patients and develop rapport with them. The thought process was that when the patients transition into the next stage, they already know the volunteers.

In 2012, Valley State Prison for Women (VSPW) closed and many incarcerated individuals transferred to CCWF.

Hinds had trained some individuals at VSPW in providing grief counseling, whereas this particular training had not been provided at CCWF. When all the transfers were complete, the group from VSPW merged with CCWF’s group, and the duties of the Comfort Care program expanded.

Comfort Care volunteers visit with incarcerated patients in the SNF, provide grief counseling to anyone who has experienced a loss or received a life-changing health diagnosis, and hold round-the-clock vigils for patients who are at the end of their lives. 

CCWF resident Julia Olivas is one of those volunteers. Out of all of her programming, she said, Comfort Care is her priority. It has helped her discover parts of herself she didn’t know existed.

“Comfort Care is my priority. I don’t have anything close to second. Comfort Care continues to reveal to me who I am. “I continue to learn about who I am and have that inner freedom that I need to continue to be productive in any situation I’m in,” Olivas said. “I’m extremely grateful for it.”

Twenty-seven years since its founding, Comfort Care is still going strong in partnership with Hinds Hospice and registered nurse Noriko Aoyama. Aoyama comes to the institution monthly to meet with volunteers and help coordinate trainings for new and existing members. 

“This group is special, it has history,” Aoyama said.

Comfort Care volunteer Patricia Gomez agreed, elaborating on the impact it’s had on her personally.

“This program has brought me back to my original essence,” she said. “I don’t take it for granted.” 

Staff at the institution also support Comfort Care, which has recently expanded to include paid palliative care worker positions. Recreational Therapist Rebecca Berber works in the SNF and sees firsthand the difference the Comfort Care program makes. 

“Every time [Comfort Care program members] go back there and I see how happy the ladies are, I am thankful to see that. I am also thankful for the help they give me,” Berber said.

Beyond caring for residents in their final moments, Comfort Care members have found selfless purpose and a tremendous sense of gratitude in providing care and service for others.

“I’m so blessed and grateful to have the opportunity to work with the ladies [in SNF]. You never know what’s going to make someone motivated to change. Comfort Care keeps me on the right path. I know I can’t get in trouble because then I can’t go to SNF,” said program member Destanie Hinzo.