Inmate Cremation Bill Approved In State Senate

2-24-2012 Oklahoma:

Oklahoma City - State senators have approved a bill that would deduct the cost of cremating those behind bars from the inmates' acquired funds.

Senate Bill 1069 passed by a vote of 41-0.

While locked away, prison inmates are required to name a designee to receive any possessions and money they have should they die while in prison. They build up what is referred to as a "trust fund", which consists of funds they earn through working in the prison system and additional money they receive from their families for other necessities.

Under Senate Bill 1069, if a designee declined to pay for burial and the Department of Corrections has to cremate the inmate, the cost of the procedure can be deducted from the inmate's "trust fund".

The bill was authored by Senator Don Barrington of Lawton, who says it would save the DOC thousands of dollars each year.

"Inmates pass away and their designee doesn't want to claim the remains, but they do collect their personal belongings and any funds that individual accumulated while behind bars leaving the agency with the bill for cremation," Barrington says. "It's not right. This measure will allow the agency to basically let the deceased inmate pay for their own cremation by using what money they accumulated while in prison."

The bill now heads to the House for further consideration. ..Source.. by Kevin King