Arguments for improving end-of-life care in prisons include consideration of the value of persons, social contract theory, the definition of justice, the notion of just deserts, and a utilitarian calculus of societal benefits and burdens, and suggest an ethical imperative to ensure proper care for dying inmates. The few existing efforts to improve end-of-life care for inmates focus on the health care needs and practical realities of care delivery and are designed to match community standards of care. It is noteworthy, however, that these standards are not always met even in the general population. Thus, raising the standard for prisoners may encourage improvements in end-of-life care within society more generally. If society can learn to care for what is arguably one of the least valued populations, it certainly can provide care for other population groups and not have to rely on the courts to serve as its moral conscience. References