Oklahoma Department of Corrections

PROJECT PURPOSE

Invest in public safety by increasing programmatic and reentry preparedness opportunities through the use of technology and funding for the purchase of birth certificates, state identification cards, and other relevant personal identifying documents for inmates within one year of release.

EVIDENCE

Obtaining personal identification documents has been proven to remove barriers to employment and housing for those recently incarcerated. Further, the Oklahoma state legislature passed HB 1679 requiring DOC to improve reentry efforts including those related to personal identification. Third-party apps that support programmatic and reentry services allow the agency to increase programmatic participation and education while maintaining social distancing efforts to mitigate COVID-19. The use of electronic tablets and third-party apps also allows inmates to become familiar with technology common to work and home life upon reentry.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The community that would benefit from this program are incarcerated persons who were remanded in custody by the judicial system. The majority of these individuals will return to the community at large. Providing assistance in expanded programmatic and educational services and obtaining personal identification documents will better ensure that they are successful in the community and less likely to recidivate over time.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Project performance will be measured by the number of individuals released during each state fiscal year who have obtained personal identifying documents. The success of third-party apps will be measured by the number of increased program participants engaging in services via tablet-based technology.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma