As Missouri lawmakers embark on yet another legislative session sure to be defined by right-wing extremism and entrenched partisanship, positive exception has arisen regarding, of all things, public assistance: A bipartisan proposal would finally end a cruel and counterproductive lifetime ban on food stamp eligibility for people with felony drug convictions in their past.
Technically, the state modified that ban a decade ago, but under such onerous restrictions that it effectively still prevents almost anyone with a felony drug record from accessing the federal-state Supplemental Nutrition Food Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.
That banishment amounts to continuing punishment for people who have already paid their debt to society. Those unpersuaded by that factor should consider that it also significantly increases the chances of recidivism.
In 1996, the federal government banned anyone with any kind of felony drug conviction from receiving SNAP benefits, ever. The idea was to prevent federal money from indirectly funding the illicit drug trade.
But for released felons, public assistance is often crucial to successfully rejoining society and avoiding a return to crime and prison. A 2017 Harvard Law study found that access to SNAP and related benefits for ex-inmates reduced recidivism by 10% during the first year out of prison. Numerous other studies confirm the effect.
The short-sighted federal ban’s saving grace was that it allowed states to opt out. Most did. Today, only South Carolina still fully enforces the lifetime ban on SNAP benefits for drug felons. A majority of states, including Illinois, have nixed the ban completely.
But almost as many states have only modified the ban, putting specific restrictions in place for drug felons seeking benefits.
Under modified Missouri restrictions approved in 2014, SNAP benefits are available to drug felons only if they have had no more than a single felony conviction for drug possession — and then they are required to undergo drug testing and treatment. It is among the nation’s most stringent set of restrictions, one critics say is effectively a ban.
For families attempting to get back on their feet after a felony conviction, these requirements add to the already-daunting roadblocks on the route to employment and self-sufficiency that is crucial to prevent recidivism.
As the Missouri Independent reports, the proposal to end the ban is being spearheaded by state Sens. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold, and Lauren Arthur, D-Kansas City.
Coleman is no one’s idea of a bleeding-heart liberal — or even a moderate conservative. Yet on the food-stamp issue, Coleman argues persuasively that “access to food and access to nutrition is not something that should be punitive.” Her fellow legislative Republicans should heed this nod to common sense, good governance and plain old compassion, and approve the SNAP reforms.
