In a significant policy shift, the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) will no longer require inmates to pay for essential medical devices such as hearing aids and prosthetic limbs. This change comes as part of a legal settlement and has resulted in the reimbursement of thousands of dollars to numerous inmates.
Previously, incarcerated individuals who needed medical devices but could not afford them upfront had the cost deducted from their prison wages. Given that prisoners typically earn less than $100 per month, this practice often left them with substantial debts. The DOC would typically deduct half of the balance from an inmate’s account at the start of each month and any remaining funds at the end of the month.
As a result of the recent legal settlement, the Oregon DOC has ceased this practice. The settlement also includes the repayment of $77,041 to 870 inmates and the forgiveness of $39,683 in medical debt for 30 inmates. According to Amber Campbell, a spokesperson for the Oregon DOC, some inmates received both refunds and debt forgiveness.
The legal settlement stems from a class-action lawsuit filed in 2021 by several inmates at the Snake River Correctional Institution in eastern Oregon. The lawsuit argued that the DOC’s practice of charging inmates for medical devices violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The DOC’s decision to end this policy marks a significant step toward better healthcare equity within the prison system. By alleviating the financial burden of necessary medical devices, the department aims to improve the quality of life for incarcerated individuals and ensure compliance with ADA standards.
This change is part of broader efforts to address systemic issues within the prison healthcare system and demonstrates a commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of all individuals in custody.
