NCJ Number
227202
Journal
Journal of Correctional Health Care Volume: 15 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2009 Pages: 142-149
Date Published
April 2009
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the loss and continuance issues surrounding public benefits for those individuals incarcerated.
Abstract
Unknown numbers of incarcerated people are losing public benefits. Upon incarceration, some States simply terminate benefits instead of suspending them until the inmate or detainee is released. Evidence exists suggesting that this policy is having negative consequences for those who reenter society as well as on their communities and systems of care. The precise impact is unclear because there is no systematic monitoring of these actions available. This article discusses a number of options for assuring care for individuals while in prison, as well as when they return to their communities. A more efficient system would be to suspend benefits and automatically reinstate the same to those eligible upon release, and to establish a monitoring mechanism that would provide an accurate accounting of how these benefits are being applied. Policies that promote suspension of benefits coupled with a tracking system would have the dual benefit of supporting a continuum of care for eligible former inmates and monitoring how benefits are being applied. Figure, notes, and references