Oklahoma DOC Partners with Social Security Administration to Benefit Inmates

[danielle]

By Alison Heck, Internet Reporter

Recently, the Medical Services Division of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections began connecting eligible incarcerated offenders with their Social Security benefits prior to their release back into society. Although the program is only in two facilities in the state the DOC eventually hopes to implement a similar program statewide someday.

The program partners the Oklahoma DOC with the federal Social Security Administration (SSA) to insure that eligible inmates will have benefits reinstated when they are released from prison. The pilot program includes all inmates from two facilities, one that houses developmentally delayed males and the other, female inmates.

To ease its transition into the statewide system, the new program will include only those inmates who were eligible for Social Security when they became incarcerated or those who meet the age requirement.

"Anything that can reduce recidivism and has the potential to help an inmate's transition after release helps the state and society. It furthers our mission, which is threefold: to protect the public, to protect employees and to protect the offender. It is a long-term gain," said Bob Mann, Nurse Manager, Medical Services Division in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.

Mann, RN, MSW recently spoke with the Corrections Connection about the pilot program and its small yet successful beginnings.

Where was this pilot program implemented?


Mann: We have tried it in a women's facility and a developmentally delayed male population facility here in Oklahoma. In the women's facility a staff psychologist handles all the paperwork for the offenders. In the male facility there is a reintegration specialist that does the same.
The reintegration specialist is the contact person for the program and works with a counterpart at the local Social Security office. The Social Security Administration has been extremely helpful and willing [to assist us in any way].

What would be the criteria for an offender to be eligible for the program?


Mann: Right now we aren't limiting inmates to the program; it's for anyone who is eligible for Social Security in the two facilities. The criteria for Social Security benefits are age, blindness and disability. For age, the criteria is simply that they are over 65, they just have to show proof of their age. The SSA criteria for the other two are much more involved.

How will having their Social Security benefits help inmates upon release?


Mann: If the inmate is trying to get their benefits reinstated when he steps out the door it could take a while for them to funnel through the system. This way they are set up with those benefits before they are discharged.

What is the next step you will take to further implement this new program?


Mann: We are looking at the best ways to get things started in all of Oklahoma. We are continuing, at an executive level, to look at what are effective ways to put the program in other facilities. The program that is under consideration for implementation in all Oklahoma facilities will target inmates that have been receiving benefits before they were incarcerated and will be discharged soon.
We are also going to try to set up a system that flags incoming offenders who are already receiving social security benefits. That way when they are released the can reapply for those benefits.

Has the program been successful in the two facilities?


Mann: The numbers [of prisoners] aren't large but the program is stable and successful in both facilities.

What is the ultimate goal of the program?


Mann: The ultimate goal is to find a way to go forward in a manner that is consistent with our budget restraints. It can't hurt for someone to have benefits waiting for them when they are released. We have to find a way to incorporate this program into the system in a fiscally responsible way. I would love to see federal funding that would create [full-time employees] to help administer this program in every facility. Right now it is a manpower issue.

[flygirlaa2]

That is really good news. I know it can be intimidating when you dont know where to go for help in geting your benefits.

[wannamae]

Interesting. What about someone who should of been recieving V.A. before going inside? Any help for those people??

[~cheenna~]

It's about time to see a DOC trying to do something not only "good" but tangible for a newly released inmate ...