Oklahoma has among the highest incarceration rates in the nation. At any given time, approximately 34,000 people are held in Oklahoma county jails and state and federal prisons. Nearly 217,000 people are released from Oklahoma prisons and jails each year. Oklahoma's Department of Corrections (ODOC) estimated that 38% of the state prison population has symptoms of a serious mental illness.
Oklahoma expanded Medicaid in 2021 through a voter ballot initiative, bringing SoonerCare coverage to hundreds of thousands of low-income adults for the first time. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA), ODOC, and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) are partnering to develop a SoonerCare reentry waiver initiative to extend pre-release Medicaid services to incarcerated individuals nearing release. Voting rights in Oklahoma are restored upon completion of sentence including probation and parole.
Here is what currently exists, what is being developed, and what you need to do.
What ODOC Provides at Release
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC, oklahoma.gov/doc) develops a reentry plan as each inmate nears the end of incarceration. The plan focuses on employment, housing, education, substance abuse treatment, aftercare, and transitional service needs.
ODOC reentry resources include:
ODOC Reentry Resource Registration: ODOC maintains a system for community organizations to register as reentry resources, connecting returning citizens to providers in their area.
ODOC Community Corrections Work Release Program: Eligible inmates can access work release opportunities in the community before full release. Work release sites operate in Oklahoma City, Union City, Lawton, Enid, and Vinita. This allows individuals to establish employment before leaving incarceration.
TEEM Reentry Services: TEEM (The Education and Employment Ministry) is a named ODOC partner providing comprehensive reentry support including employment opportunities, education, and housing assistance tailored to reduce recidivism and support self-sufficiency.
Good Shepherd Community Clinic: Named ODOC reentry partner providing health services.
Mental Health Association of Oklahoma: Named ODOC reentry resource partner.
Federal Bonding Program: ODOC provides information on the Federal Bonding Program, which encourages employers to hire at-risk applicants including people with criminal records.
Regarding ID documents before release: Ask your ODOC case manager or reentry staff directly whether the facility provides assistance with state ID, driver's license, Social Security card, or birth certificate processing before release. Confirm the status of each document -- do not assume it has been initiated.
Getting Your Oklahoma State ID or Driver's License
Oklahoma state IDs and driver's licenses are issued by the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS, dps.ok.gov) through driver's license offices statewide.
If your ID was not processed before release, visit any Oklahoma DPS driver's license office. You will need documents establishing your identity, Social Security number, and Oklahoma residency. Standard documents include a birth certificate or passport, your Social Security card, and proof of an Oklahoma address. Your ODOC release documentation serves as a supporting identity document.
Getting Your Social Security Card
If your Social Security card was not obtained before release, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213, apply online at ssa.gov, or visit your nearest SSA office. Replacement cards are free. Bring your state ID and birth certificate.
Ask your case manager whether your facility has a prerelease SSA agreement allowing the card replacement and benefit application process to begin up to 90 days before release.
Getting Your Birth Certificate
If you were born in Oklahoma, request a certified copy from the Oklahoma State Department of Health Vital Records (health.ok.gov) or by calling (405) 426-8880. The fee is currently $15 per copy.
If you were born in another state, contact that state's vital records office. Start this process early -- out-of-state requests can take time and delay your ID process.
SoonerCare: Oklahoma Medicaid
Oklahoma voters approved Medicaid expansion through a ballot initiative in June 2020, taking effect July 1, 2021. Oklahoma's Medicaid program is called SoonerCare and is administered by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA, oklahoma.gov/ohca). Low-income adults who meet income requirements are generally eligible.
Apply for SoonerCare after release at oklahoma.gov/ohca or by calling 1-800-987-7767.
Current SoonerCare coverage during incarceration: SoonerCare coverage for Oklahoma inmates is currently limited to inpatient services in mental health facilities, hospitals, or nursing homes. This is the standard Medicaid inmate exclusion policy. There is no current approved pre-release SoonerCare program for adults.
Oklahoma SoonerCare Reentry Initiative (In Development): OHCA, ODOC, and ODMHSAS are partnering to develop a SoonerCare reentry waiver initiative. Oklahoma and five other states were selected to participate in a Medicaid and Corrections Policy Academy (funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance), developing a shared vision for improved reentry services. The initiative aims to focus on SoonerCare-eligible adults in state and county correctional facilities with the highest need -- those with substance use disorders, serious mental illness, and comorbidities. Confirm the current status of Oklahoma's SoonerCare reentry waiver at oklahoma.gov/ohca or with your ODOC case manager.
SNAP: Food Assistance
Oklahoma has no drug conviction SNAP ban. A felony conviction does not hinder eligibility for SNAP in Oklahoma; standard income and eligibility requirements apply. Applicants must not be a fleeing felon, must not have current probation or parole violations, and must not have committed prior benefits fraud.
Apply for SNAP through the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) at okdhs.org or visit your local OKDHS office. Contact OKDHS at 1-405-522-5050.
Voting Rights in Oklahoma
Oklahoma restores voting rights upon completion of your sentence, including any period of probation or parole. Once all supervision is complete, your voting rights are restored automatically. You do not need to apply for restoration.
Register to vote at elections.ok.gov or contact the Oklahoma State Election Board (elections.ok.gov). Contact Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma (laok.org) or the Oklahoma Policy Institute (okpolicy.org) if you have questions about your specific eligibility.
ODOC and Oklahoma Reentry Resources
ODOC Reentry (oklahoma.gov/doc/offender-info/re-entry.html): Reentry plan development; ODOC Reentry Resource Registration; work release programs (Oklahoma City, Union City, Lawton, Enid, Vinita); Federal Bonding Program information; TEEM partnership; Good Shepherd Community Clinic; Mental Health Association of Oklahoma.
TEEM Reentry Services (teem.org): ODOC partner; employment, education, housing; comprehensive reentry support.
Oklahoma Health Care Authority / SoonerCare (oklahoma.gov/ohca; 1-800-987-7767): SoonerCare Medicaid application; reentry initiative in development.
Oklahoma Department of Human Services / SNAP (okdhs.org; 1-405-522-5050): SNAP applications; benefits after release.
Oklahoma DPS (dps.ok.gov): State ID and driver's license.
Oklahoma State Department of Health Vital Records (health.ok.gov; 405-426-8880): Birth certificates; $15 per copy.
Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma (laok.org): Free civil legal assistance for eligible low-income Oklahomans, including benefits, housing rights, and reentry matters.
Oklahoma Policy Institute (okpolicy.org): Policy information on criminal justice and reentry resources in Oklahoma.
211 Oklahoma (dial 211 or oklahomaline211.org): Statewide referrals to housing, food, health, and social services by county.
Social Security Administration (ssa.gov; 1-800-772-1213): SSI and SSDI applications; SSA Reentry Benefits at ssa.gov/reentry/benefits.htm.
Frequently asked questions
Does ODOC help with ID documents before release?
ODOC develops a reentry plan for each individual nearing the end of incarceration covering employment, housing, education, substance abuse treatment, and transitional service needs. For state ID, driver's license, Social Security card, and birth certificate assistance, ask your ODOC case manager or reentry staff directly about what document processing is initiated before your release date. Confirm the status of each document directly -- do not assume these have been started.
Can I get SoonerCare Medicaid after prison in Oklahoma?
Yes. Oklahoma expanded Medicaid (SoonerCare) effective July 1, 2021. Low-income adults who meet income requirements are generally eligible. Apply at oklahoma.gov/ohca or call 1-800-987-7767. Apply as soon as you are released. There is currently no approved pre-release SoonerCare program for adults; the reentry waiver initiative is in development. Confirm current status at oklahoma.gov/ohca or with your ODOC case manager.
What is Oklahoma's SoonerCare 1115 reentry initiative?
Oklahoma's reentry initiative is a developing partnership between OHCA, ODOC, and ODMHSAS to build a SoonerCare reentry waiver program that would provide pre-release Medicaid services to incarcerated individuals nearing release. Oklahoma was selected as one of six states for the Bureau of Justice Assistance-funded Medicaid and Corrections Policy Academy. The initiative aims to focus on individuals with substance use disorders, serious mental illness, and comorbidities -- the highest-need population. ODOC Executive Director Steven Harpe described the initiative as "transformative for our returning citizens." Confirm the current status of the initiative and any CMS waiver approval at oklahoma.gov/ohca.
Can I get SNAP benefits after prison in Oklahoma?
Yes. Oklahoma has no drug conviction SNAP ban. A felony conviction does not disqualify you from SNAP. Standard eligibility applies -- you must not be a fleeing felon, must not have current probation or parole violations, and must not have committed prior benefits fraud. Apply at okdhs.org or visit your local Oklahoma DHS office.
Can I vote after prison in Oklahoma?
Voting rights are restored automatically upon completion of your full sentence, including any period of probation or parole. Once all supervision ends, you can register to vote at elections.ok.gov. No waiting period or petition is required. Contact Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma (laok.org) or the Oklahoma State Election Board (elections.ok.gov) if you have questions about your eligibility.
How do I get my birth certificate in Oklahoma?
If you were born in Oklahoma, request a certified copy from the Oklahoma State Department of Health Vital Records at health.ok.gov or by calling (405) 426-8880. The current fee is $15 per copy. Ask your ODOC case manager whether the facility can assist with this before release. If you were born in another state, contact that state's vital records office early -- out-of-state requests take time.
How do I replace my Social Security card in Oklahoma?
Contact SSA at 1-800-772-1213, apply online at ssa.gov, or visit your nearest SSA office. Replacement cards are free. Bring your state ID and birth certificate. Ask your case manager whether your facility has a prerelease SSA agreement allowing this to begin up to 90 days before release. SSA reentry benefits information is at ssa.gov/reentry/benefits.htm.
What is the ODOC work release program?
ODOC Community Corrections operates a work release program for eligible inmates at sites in Oklahoma City, Union City, Lawton, Enid, and Vinita. Work release allows eligible incarcerated individuals to work in the community before their full release, building employment history, work relationships, and financial stability before the gate opens. Employers interested in hiring work release participants can contact ODOC through oklahoma.gov/doc/offender-info/programs.html.
What benefits can I apply for after release in Oklahoma?
SoonerCare (Medicaid) at oklahoma.gov/ohca (1-800-987-7767) for low-income adults -- apply immediately upon release. SNAP through OKDHS (okdhs.org; 1-405-522-5050) -- drug convictions do not bar you; standard eligibility applies. SSI or SSDI through SSA (1-800-772-1213) if you qualify through age or disability. Veterans' benefits through the VA if applicable. 211 Oklahoma (dial 211 or oklahomaline211.org) for county referrals to housing, food, and social services.
What reentry resources does ODOC provide?
ODOC (oklahoma.gov/doc) provides reentry plan development for each individual; ODOC Reentry Resource Registration connecting returning citizens to community providers; work release programs in Oklahoma City, Union City, Lawton, Enid, and Vinita; Federal Bonding Program information for employment; TEEM Reentry Services partnership (employment, education, housing); Good Shepherd Community Clinic (health services); Mental Health Association of Oklahoma (behavioral health). OHCA, ODOC, and ODMHSAS are developing a SoonerCare reentry waiver initiative (in progress; confirm status at oklahoma.gov/ohca). Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma (laok.org) provides free legal help. 211 Oklahoma (oklahomaline211.org, dial 211) provides county referrals. ---
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