The students work with the incarcerated women to apply for benefits such as disability checks and Medicare so they are in the best circumstances possible when they are released.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re given pretty high-level care when they\u2019re in custody,\u201d Sanchez said. \u201cThat\u2019s psychiatric care, psychological care, including medications that are necessary to maintain their stability. When you go to exit that program without those, it can be devastating.\u201d<\/p>\n
The clinic typically begins working with a client nine months to a year before an inmate\u2019s release date. The goal is to submit her application before she gets out of prison, but the students will continue the work on the case after someone\u2019s release if necessary, Sanchez said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The students learn how to work with medical professionals. They collaborate with Vashisht College of Medicine students under the umbrella of A&M\u2019s Fort Worth-based Institute for Healthcare Access<\/a> founded in 2023. The medical students learn how to review health records, write letters of support for the patient\u2019s qualification for benefits and work with lawyers.<\/p>\n \u201cOn the doctor\u2019s side, they\u2019re really learning how lawyers need doctors to write reports so that they most accurately reflect the legal needs as well as the medical needs of a patient,\u201d Sanchez said.<\/p>\n Students in the clinic meet once a week to hear a lecture and discuss where they are in their cases. Most of the work is virtual with occasional travel to Bryan to give legal seminars to the women at the prison.<\/p>\n Eighteen students are working in the clinic this semester, including third-year law student Celeste Green. She said it is rewarding to interact with clients to help those in need.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve worked with a firm, I\u2019ve worked in chambers, and I\u2019ve done the clinic,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s just so vastly different because you are getting to be that servant role as an attorney for your community, so I really like that too.\u201d<\/p>\n Sanchez said the experience with clients helps students understand the gravity of the work.<\/p>\n \u201cIt changes you as a lawyer fundamentally when you understand the impact of your legal skills and how it changes somebody\u2019s life forever \u2014 forever,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n McKinnon Rice is the higher education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at mckinnon.rice@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Fort Worth Report partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage.<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
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