Clinton Targeting Financial Benefits for Prison Inmates

WASHINGTON —  President Clinton ordered federal agencies on Saturday to follow the lead of the Social Security Administration and crack down on prison inmates who may be illegally receiving federal financial benefits.

In his weekly radio address, Clinton said he was signing an executive memorandum directing the departments of Labor, Veterans Affairs, Justice, Education and Agriculture to use a database developed by the Social Security Administration to weed out any inmates who are receiving food stamps, veterans benefits or other federal aid that is denied by law.

Clinton said the Social Security Administration has developed a comprehensive list of the nation’s inmate population that covers nearly all of those locked behind bars. He said the program has saved $2.5 billion, with an additional $200 million expected over the next five years.