Connecting Incarcerated Veterans to Their Benefits
A heartfelt thank you from the wife of an incarcerated military veteran at Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) highlights the impact of veteran support programs: “It helps me to be able to live on my own without depending on others.” This sentiment reflects the crucial role these programs play in supporting veterans and their families.
It’s not unusual to find veterans helping veterans behind bars. When veterans enter the Oregon prison system, the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) steps in to verify their status, advocate for their benefits, and assist their families with VA benefits. However, the sheer number of veterans in the system presents a significant challenge in providing the extensive advocacy they require.
New Lottery Funding Helps ODVA Reach More Veterans
To address the challenge, in 2019 ODVA proposed a pilot program at OSP. This program allows adults in custody (AIC) to officially assist fellow veteran AICs with needs beyond the usual outreach efforts. The Veterans’ Assistance Program has since become a cornerstone of veteran support within the prison, contributing to their success both during incarceration and upon reentry into society.
Dana S., the first and only AIC Veteran’s Benefits Specialist (VBS) in the state, plays a pivotal role in this program. Dana conducts thorough interviews with incarcerated veterans to understand their military service and determine the benefits they qualify for. He uses his expertise to navigate the complexities of VA benefits, ensuring veterans receive the support they deserve.
“Without this program, veterans likely will never realize the extent of the benefits available to them,” Dana states. He acknowledges that many veterans, especially those in custody, are unaware of their eligibility for certain VA benefits, and discovering this information can change their outlook on life.
Without this program, veterans likely will never realize the extent of the benefits available to them.— Dana S., AIC Veterans’ Benefits Specialist
Keeping Veterans Off the Streets
Many veterans in prison come from homeless backgrounds. The Veterans Assistance Program (VAP) provides a wealth of resources, equipping veterans with the tools they need to succeed during their incarceration and after their release. Dana proudly states, “It’s likely that if you parole out of OSP, you won’t be homeless.”
A Brighter Future
Veterans who have benefited from OSP’s VAP consistently express gratitude for the support they’ve received. They highlight feeling less stress about the transition out of incarceration, more hopeful and better prepared for a productive life afterward.
That’s exactly what Dana is aims to achieve each and every day as he serves our incarcerated veterans. “My job is to help make sure that my fellow veterans get every bit of help that they have earned as veterans. This way, maybe they get out of prison better off than when they came in, so that they never have to return.”
The above article was written by Nickie Basinger, DOC Office of Communications and OSP’s Media Team. It was originally published on the Oregon Department of Corrections Blog and is reprinted here with permission. Our thanks to Oregon DOC and ODVA for their assistance and for their coverage of this important program.
Your Lottery Play Helping Oregon
In 2016, Oregon voters passed Ballot Measure 96, directing a portion of lottery funds to veteran services. The new funding helped empower the ODVA to establish advocacy offices to better connect underserved veteran populations with their earned benefits. Oregon is now the only state with special veteran services and advocacy offices for women veterans, tribal veterans, LGBTQ+ veterans, houseless veterans, and incarcerated veterans. Thanks to your lottery play, Oregon is better equipped to support some of our most deserving citizens, our military veterans.
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