VETERANS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE



Similar documents
SB 114: IMPROVING PRE-TRIAL DIVERSION TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF CONNECTICUT S VETERANS

Veterans Trauma Courts. Hon. Ronald Crowder District Court Judge 4 th Judicial District of Colorado

Veterans have been served by the various Collaborative Court programs which follow evidence based practices for 16 years

Navigating the Unique Facets Of the Incarcerated and Releasing U.S. Veteran

Statistics on Women in the Justice System. January, 2014

Veterans Treatment Courts: Dignified Handling of Traumatized Veterans

VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS BEST PRACTICE ELEMENTS

An Attorney s Guide to the Veterans Sentencing Mitigation Statute

Mental Health & Addiction Forensics Treatment

Report of Veterans Arrested and Booked

Orange County Combat Veterans Court. Community Court Superior Court of California 909 N. Main Street Santa Ana, CA 92701

The Many Facets of Social Work

Responding to the Needs of Justice-Involved Veterans. Mark Mayhew, LCSW VA Justice Outreach Coordinator

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Magisterial District Court. "Veterans Diversion Program"

AB 109 is DANGEROUS. Governor Brown signed AB 109 the Criminal Justice Realignment Bill into law on April 5, 2011.

WHAT IS THE ILLINOIS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE AND HOW DID IT START? MISSION STATEMENT

Veterans Health Administration (VHA): Mental Health Services. Briefing for Commission on Care October 19, 2015

California s Alternative Sentencing Law for Veterans and Members of the U.S. Military

Introduction to Veteran Treatment Court

Suicide, PTSD, and Substance Use Among OEF/OIF Veterans Using VA Health Care: Facts and Figures

Mental Health Needs of Juvenile Offenders. Mental Health Needs of Juvenile Offenders. Juvenile Justice Guide Book for Legislators

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

VETERANS TREATMENT COURT

SENTENCING REFORM FOR NONVIOLENT OFFENSES: BENEFITS AND ESTIMATED SAVINGS FOR ILLINOIS

The Facts on Drugs and Crime in America

Bexar County Community Supervision and Corrections Department

Jail Diversion & Behavioral Health

BUCKS COUNTY VETERANS TREATMENT PROGRAM DISTRICT ATTORNEY S POLICY AND PROCEDURE MANUAL

VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS. Jay E. Town Prosecutor, State of Alabama AWP, Board of Directors

Objective: Provide information regarding 4 Department of Veterans Affairs programs.

Austin Travis County Integral Care Jail Diversion Programs and Strategies

ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CRIMINAL MENTAL HEALTH PROJECT Program Summary. Impact to the Community

Reentry on Steroids! NADCP 2013

Adult Mental Health Court Certification Application

Stopping the Revolving Door for Mentally Ill Offenders in the Criminal Justice System via Diversion and Re-entry Programs

Mental Illness, Addiction and the Whatcom County Jail

Criminalization & Mental Illness: Next Steps & NAMI Advocacy

A Guide to Special Sessions & Diversionary Programs in Connecticut. Superior Court Criminal Division

Criminal Justice Policy Workgroup: Background Information

GENDER-RESPONSIVE ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT FOR JUSTICE-INVOLVED WOMEN IN COMMUNITY SUPERVISION

AN ACT. The goals of the alcohol and drug treatment divisions created under this Chapter include the following:

POTTER, RANDALL AND ARMSTRONG COUNTIES DRUG COURT: A VIABLE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS RESOURCE

FACT SHEET. Views from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency. Youth Under Age 18 in the Adult Criminal Justice System. Christopher Hartney

WELCOME HOME PROJECT: BREAKING THE CYCLE OF RECIDIVISM. By: Keziah Harmon and Arlene Browne

Criminal Justice 101. The Criminal Justice System in Colorado and the Impact on Individuals with Mental Illness. April 2009

ABA COMMISSION ON EFFECTIVE CRIMINAL SANCTIONS

Michigan Drug Court Recidivism. Definitions and Methodology

External Advisory Group Meeting June 2, 2015

PROVIDING COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR VETERANS: A GRANT PROPOSAL ROGELIO BECERRA CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH MAY 2014

COMMUNITY SAFETY VICTIM RESPECT OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY

Mental Health Fact Sheet

Women in Drug Treatment Courts: Sexual Assault as the Underlying Trauma. Women, Trauma and Substance Abuse

Marin County s STAR Program: Support and Treatment for Mentally Ill Offenders

Office of the Bexar County Criminal District Attorney

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR PASCO AND PINELLAS COUNTIES, FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO PA/PI-CIR

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT BRIEF HOUSE BILL NO. 2154

Dispatch from the. The National Clearinghouse for Veterans Treatment Courts at the National Association of Drug Court Professionals

SHORT TITLE: Criminal procedure; creating the Oklahoma Drug Court Act; codification; emergency.

Seventeenth Judicial District Veterans Court

STATE OF OHIO. DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION RELATED ACA STANDARDS: EFFECTIVE DATE: AND CORRECTION February 19, 2011 I. AUTHORITY

How To Run A Diversion Program In Connecticut

Hamilton County Municipal and Common Pleas Court Guide

Women in the Criminal Justice System. Briefing Sheets

PROPOSAL. Expansion of Drug Treatment Diversion Programs. December 18, 2007

SPECIAL OPTIONS SERVICES PROGRAM UNITED STATES PRETRIAL SERVICES AGENCY EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

FACT SHEET. What is Trauma? TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE FOR WORKING WITH HOMELESS VETERANS

Five Year Plan to End Homelessness Among Veterans in King County

Women FIRST Program. March Focus on you Information you need Referral for service Support for family Time for you

Community Supervision Texas Association of Counties October 2015

How To Participate In A Drug Court

Manatee County Drug Court Overview. The Drug Court concept began in 1989 in Miami-Dade County in response to the crack

Department of Health Services. Alcohol and Other Drug Services Division

Pretrial Diversion Programs

Gordon J. Campbell, Chair Members of the Board NYC Board of Correction 51 Chambers Street, Room 923 New York, NY December 19, 2014

Criminal Justice and the Planner s Role

Proposition 5. Nonviolent Offenders. Sentencing, Parole and Rehabilitation. Statute.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Reauthorization

The Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Program: Evaluation and Recommendations

Hamilton County Municipal and Common Pleas Court Guide

CORRELATES AND COSTS

Part I Improvements to Existing Programs

How To Fund A Mental Health Court

Housing Services Office (HSO) Newsletter Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services (BHCS)

C. Chyrelle Martin, Psy.D

Transcription:

VETERANS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE August 2011 Institute for Veteran Policy Swords to Plowshares San Francisco CA

A R E V I E W O F T H E L I T E R A T U R E Veterans and Criminal Justice INTRODUCTION The policy analyst identified relevant studies from a computerized search of the following databases: ERIC, JSTOR, JAMA, PubMed, SOCIOFILE, the Law Library of Congress, WILEY, EBSCOHost, VioLit, VA (JRRD, NCPTSD), and the Department of Justice for articles published since 1990 which outlined a historical framework for psychological issues in veterans as well as treatment interventions for those exhibiting criminal behavior. Key words used in the search were veteran, military service, mental health, substance abuse, family violence, law enforcement, criminal justice, court, sentencing, prison, and treatment methodology. Four hundred and sixty abstracts were generated by the search and reviewed. Among them 140 articles met the criteria for the literature search and were reviewed in their entirety. Twenty-three additional articles were discovered and gleaned from the initial studies, and after full reading, 80 articles were determined not to be appropriate for the literature. In total, 83 articles are included in the following review. Background There is a growing prevalence of veterans entering our jails, state and federal prisons with criminal behavior stemming from service-related mental health issues (Noonan and Mumola, 2007). Often, learned military skills and tactics such as hyper-vigilance and rapid response to threatening encounters that enhance survival in combat may translate to aggressiveness, impulsivity, arrest, and potential for incarceration in the civilian community (Elbogen, et al. 2010; Elbogen, et al. 2010; Taft, et al. 2009). There is a wealth of literature describing the emotional fallout of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and highlighting the need for more comprehensive care and support for veterans and their families (Cassels, 2009; Sayer, Friedemann-Sanchez et al. 2008; Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences, 2009; Marshall et al. 2005; Sayer, et al. 2009; Tanielian, Terri, et al. 2008; Yaeger, et al. 2006). Mental Health and Substance Abuse Gleaning the literature allows us to measure the magnitude of the effects of war on veterans and their families, notably rates of post traumatic stress (PTS), depression, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and substance abuse. Tanielian, Terri, et al. (2008) provided us with the first major national picture and estimated 300,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are currently suffering from post traumatic stress or major depression. Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (2009) noted shortly after that when factoring in delayed onset of PTS the latest research suggests rates of PTS as high as 35 percent (700,000 Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn [OIF/OEF/OND] veterans). Treatment models tell us that about half (53 percent) of Global War on Terror (GWOT) veterans who need treatment for major depression or post traumatic stress seek it, while half of those who seek treatment for mental health conditions receive minimally adequate care (Tanielian, Terri, et al. 2008). While jails and prisons screen for mental health, and claim that 64 percent of all jail inmates have mental health issues (James and Glaze, 2006), they do not specifically screen for PTS (McGuire and Clark, 2011). Evidence claims that incarcerated veterans can face a level of suicide risk that exceeds that Page 1

attributable to either veteran status or incarceration alone, (Frisman and Griffin-Fennell, 2009; Wortzel, et al. 2009). Literature shows that the single greatest predictive factor for the incarceration of veterans is substance abuse (Beckerman, et al. 2009; Erickson, et al. 2008). Young veterans and National Guard and Reservists in particular are at an increased risk of new-onset binge drinking and alcohol-related problems (Jacobson, et al. 2008). Substance abuse/dependence often becomes a primary means of self-medicating for underlying untreated mental health issues. The Institute of Medicine (2010) claimed, and our literature research confirmed that research on substance abuse behavior in the military is limited. They cite the difficulty in pinpointing the magnitude of substance abuse and dependence in the military because comprehensive data is lacking as the use and abuse of drugs often results in a less than honorable discharge status and these discharge statuses are omitted from many studies. Sayer, Friedemann-Sanchez, et al. (2008) found, and the public has now taken notice that the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have created an over-stretched armed forces experiencing multiple deployments and appear to have more complex emotional trauma than we ve seen in past wars. Prior era veterans can also have untreated or undertreated mental health issues, and although there is less research and attention given to their mental health issues, we know many veterans have long been in and out of the justice system (Noonan and Mumola, 2007). Many prior era veterans are becoming casualties of the streets; they are overwhelmingly overrepresented in both the veteran homeless population and in prisons. For veterans who lack access to care for psychological conditions or economic support, their lives can quickly unravel into a cycle of poverty and homelessness. Many of these veterans give up on the system and take matters into their own hands often through drug use, theft and property crimes. These veterans are engaging in illegal survival tactics which make them prone to arrest and conviction (Culhane, et al. 2011; Noonan, 2010). Identifying Justice-Involved Veterans But how do we know how many veterans have entered our jails and prisons? To put it simply, we don t. Through the literature, we identified that the most recent national data on justice-involved veterans is from 2004, when the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were just beginning to show their effects in our service members deploying to a combat theatre and coming home. With over two million personnel serving in OIF/OEF/OND, it is anticipated that the number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans engaging with the criminal justice system has and certainly will continue to rise. Add to the current era veterans, a population of prior era veterans with untreated or undertreated issues stemming from their military service, and the numbers are around 10 percent (Noonan and Mumola, 2007). The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that in 2004 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans already comprised 4 percent of the total veteran population incarcerated in state and federal prison, when the war in Iraq had just recently begun. Anecdotal evidence points to an increasing trend in numbers and our literature research certainly shows this. Travis County, Texas, for example, show an average of 153 veterans arrested and booked into jail each month, comprising 5 percent of all arrests and bookings (Veterans Intervention Project, 2009). In El Paso County, Colorado, 180 veterans and 76 active duty military personnel are arrested each month, comprising 14 percent of all arrests (Equal Justice Foundation, 2011). Imagine what the national numbers could be now, with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan approaching a decade of combat exposure, and prior era veterans going untreated for mental and cognitive health issues. Page 2

The data confirms that older veterans are overrepresented in prisons, with differences in incarceration rates among veterans and non-veterans driven heavily by age. In 2004, 65 percent of veteran males were 55 or older, compared to 17 percent of nonveteran men. The median age (45) of veterans in state prison was twelve years older than that of non-veterans (33). General demographics show veterans as typically older, better educated, and more likely to be Caucasian and formerly married than other prisoners (Noonan and Mumola, 2007). Diversion A recent movement to engage veterans with treatment over incarceration has developed as more and more evidence of criminality stemming from service-related mental or cognitive injuries is heard (Huddleston, Marlowe and Casebolt, 2008; Griffin and Munetz, 2006; National Institute of Justice, 2006; Patterson and Greifinger, 2007). PTS has seen a significant growth in forensic deliberations, and although PTS has been difficult to use in diminished capacity considerations or insanity pleas in civilian convictions (Sparr and Pitman, 2007); PTS linked to military service is increasingly being used in criminal defense. The legislature has carved out exceptions to criminal law by treating offenders differently in similar circumstances, and in consideration of significant disadvantages or mitigating circumstances (AB 674, 111th Congress; Griffin and Munetz, 2006). Special courts are created to handle certain offenses; drug courts are one such example of similar efforts to veteran diversion. In addition, by recognizing defenses such as diminished capacity, California courts have Violence There is enough research on both current and prior era veterans and violence to make a claim for the intersection of military service-related issues, particularly PTS, with violent criminality. Veterans that have been diagnosed with severe depression or PTS are at particularly high-risk of becoming perpetrators of domestic violence, and rates among veterans with PTS are higher than those of the general population (Marshall, et al. 2005; Sherman, et al. 2006; Tetan, Sherman and Han, 2009). One study found through the literature stated that 33 percent of veterans in their sample who had PTS had self-identified as perpetrators of domestic violence (Taft, et al. 2009). There is also a significant link between the severity of PTS and Inter-Partner Violence (IPV) severity (Finley, et al. 2010; Gerlock, 2004; Sayers, et al. 2009). Studies on prior era veterans are limited and outdated, but do explain the same correlation of PTS and domestic violence. A study of Vietnam era veterans showed that those with PTS are more likely to commit acts of domestic violence than those without PTS (Sherman, 1992). Research indicates that both departures to, and returns from operational deployment impose stresses on military families and likely increase the rate of child maltreatment. Transition phases and multiple deployments are significantly linked (Gibbs, et al. 2007; Sogomonyan and Cooper, 2010). Rentz, et al. (2006) noted there is a lack of consistency in policies and practices between military and civilian agencies which makes comparing rates of domestic abuse among military families with non-military families a challenge. In addition to the lack of interchange between civilian and military agencies found in the literature, we also found that veterans who have committed domestic violent crimes are not given an individualized treatment plan that addresses the intersection of violence with service-related issues; but instead are given the standard 52-week Batterer Intervention Program (Healey, Smith, and O Sullivan, 1998). We found no current legislation in the literature that addresses the need for a unique treatment plan for violent veteran offenders (in lieu of diversion models which they are excluded from) which makes note of their service history and subsequent issues. Page 3

taken notice of an offender s particular circumstances in determining punishment. In both examples, the law has carved out alternative standards or sentencing applicable to the unique needs of at-risk groups. The Sequential Intercept Model is broadly used by those engaging with justice-involved veterans, including the VA and veteran courts (Clark and Blue-Howells, 2010). It predicts a series of points of interception during which a treatment alternative can be delivered to prevent veterans who have committed crimes from entering or penetrating deeper into the criminal justice system. Using the model, a community can develop targeted strategies that evolve over time to increase diversion and linkage to community services (Griffin and Munetz, 2006). The various points of interception are important indicators of a community s resources and effectiveness in responding to the treatment needs of veterans committing crimes. Depending on which intercept is chosen, the community can prevent initial involvement of veterans in the criminal justice system, decrease admissions to jail, engage individuals in treatment as soon as possible, minimize time spent moving through the criminal justice system, link individuals to community treatment upon release from incarceration, and decrease the rate of return to the criminal justice system (Clark and Blue-Howells, 2010; Griffin and Munetz, 2006; Holbrook, 2010). Effective mental health and drug treatment intervention has been shown to decrease recidivism over the longterm. Tailored treatment approaches allow veterans to reintegrate into society, lessening reliance on statefunded healthcare, public assistance, and law enforcement (Washington State Institute for Public Policy, 2006). The literature also shows that providing veterans an alternative process is likely to save the state money. In the short-term, diversionary programs cost less because there is a reduction in the number of offenders entering prison and parole supervision programs (CA LAO, 2000). In addition, placing a veteran offender in a diversion program in place of incarceration will have a significant impact on the veteran s status within the VA. Alternative sentencing allows veterans to continue receiving benefits and mental health/substance abuse support that they rely on and greatly need. Preventing the withdrawal of benefits as a result of incarceration allows for a smoother readjustment process after sentencing requirements are met by avoiding the complex and frustrating uphill battle of reinstating benefits through the VA ( 5307, 5313; 3.665, 21.276[h]). Over 30 states have legislative efforts in progress which would provide alternative treatment for veterans experiencing psychological trauma and/or substance abuse issues as a result of their military service (Gambill, 2010). California has PC 1170.9 for veterans convicted of crimes when a sentence would result in jail or prison time for an offense in which the veteran alleges is as a result of post traumatic stress (PTS), substance abuse, or other psychological problems stemming from service in U.S. military combat. The court, prior to sentencing, determines the merits of the allegation and refers the veteran defendant to a local, state, federal, or private non-profit treatment program for a period not to exceed that which the defendant would have served in state prison or county jail. However, as the literature suggests and our findings have confirmed, the penal code is not well-known and very little literature exists which provides information to public defenders and courts on the procedure (Tozer, 2008). Further, the court must determine that an appropriate treatment program exists (CA PC 1170.9). To further complicate the process, the literature claims that not only do very few jurisdictions inquire about veteran status either at the point of booking or by a public defender, but many veterans may be discouraged from reporting veteran status for fear of losing federal benefits (Gambill, 2010). Although federal law states benefits will not be reduced if the veteran has been incarcerated less than 60 day, and for a non-felony conviction (39 U.S.C. Sections 1114(a), 5313(a), 1505; 38 C.F.R. Sections 3.665, 3.666), service providers Page 4

and advocates have noted that some veterans benefits are suspended or reduced even though they spent less than 60 days incarcerated, and even if the incarceration was not for a felony conviction (Coalition for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Conference, May 2010). Veteran Treatment Courts Veteran treatment courts have emerged as models for veteran diversion in the judicial system and address the need for a specialized system-of-care for veteran offenders (Russell, 2009). Currently, there are 70 courts throughout the country (McGuire and Clark, 2011) and the courts are built on an existing drug court model developed and disseminated by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (Russell, 2009). Legal and procedural components of the court program are determined members of the local judiciary and legal community who decide a formula for the court by examining said jurisdiction s laws and rules of procedure. Unfortunately, legislative and regulatory rulings often restrict admission criteria to the court. Some jurisdictions currently operating veteran courts are limited by state statutes which govern their treatment court operations and limit their charge-based eligibility (Clark and Blue-Howells, 2010). In addition, many veteran courts process veterans on their docket by limiting eligibility; for instance, to only combat veterans or non-violent offenders, as a way to prioritize the procedures (Corry, 2010). Current plans for curriculum development to replicate the veterans court model throughout the country calls for providing descriptions of the target population of veteran offenders, but precludes explicit recommendations for eligibility requirements (Clubb, 2010). Therefore, eligibility determination is left up to the decisions of the individual courts and is subject to interpretation and resources (Russell, 2009). This often rules out veterans charged with violent crimes, veterans with no prior PTS diagnosis, and veterans with a less than honorable discharge (Clark and Blue-Howells, 2010; Clubb, 2010; CIAV, 2010; Gambill, 2010). Many courts only allow veterans who are eligible for VA services (Clark and Blue-Howells, 2010) to qualify as a veteran, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) generally requires that the veteran must have served on active duty and must have been discharged on conditions other than dishonorable. However, to qualify for most VA benefits, the veteran must have at least received a minimum discharge of general under honorable conditions. Veterans with a less than honorable discharge general, other than honorable, bad conduct or dishonorable discharge may be barred from access to VA mental health and dental care, hospitalization and domiciliary care, G.I. Bill benefits, home loans, and disability compensation and pension (VA, 2009). To qualify as a veteran in California, the service member need not have served on active duty but must have been discharged at least as other than dishonorable. However, for most state benefits the veteran must have an honorable discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions (California Code 18540.4; California Military and Veterans Code, 980-980.5). Thirty-eight percent of incarcerated veterans were given a less than honorable discharge and many are not eligible for supportive services from the VA (Noonan and Mumola, 2007). These veterans are left to be processed through the traditional court system without access to VA services and dependent on community resources post-incarceration. Violent offenders are largely excluded from diversion models and veterans courts throughout the country. The SERV Act, proposed legislation from the 111th Congress which never became law but is assumed to be reintroduced in 112th Congress, authorizes the attorney general to make grants to states and other entities: (1) to develop, implement, or enhance veteran treatment courts or to expand operational drug courts to serve veterans; and (2) for programs that involve continuing judicial supervision over non-violent offenders with substance abuse or mental health problems who have served in the U.S. military. Unfortunately, this will rule Page 5

out veterans involved in violent crimes in all of the jurisdictions which receive funding through this proposed model; which represent at least half of veteran offenses (Noonan and Mumola, 2007). Veterans whose mental health issues may manifest into aggressiveness and impulsivity are particularly vulnerable and often left to be processed through the traditional court system (Gambill, 2010). Very little existing literature proposes an eligibility protocol in the veteran treatment courts which will be based on the servicerelated mental health issue at the root of the offense rather than the category of the crime committed or the veteran s character of service (Gambill, 2010). Reentry The literature cites most veteran treatment courts operate a postconviction program, and completing treatment does not always result in dismissal of charges (Clark and Blue-Howells, 2010; GAINS Center, 2008). Veterans convicted of criminal offenses face punitive policies which limit their access to reentry services (Love, 2005; Legal Action Center, 2004). The collateral consequences of post-conviction treatment programs as well as traditional incarceration can be damaging and can include limitations such as disenfranchisement, restrictions on licensure and employment, restrictions on housing, denial of public benefits, disqualification for financial aid, inability to adopt or foster a child, a forfeiture of one s assets and/or property, as well as the use of arrest data in background checks for employment, housing, and credit access (Council of State Governments, 2005). These factors can limit the veteran s ability to become self-sufficient post-treatment or post-incarceration, and may potentially lead to cyclical homelessness and recidivism (Washington State Institute for Public Policy, 2006). Further, the literature overwhelmingly indicates that incarcerated veterans are highly vulnerable to death by overdose after release if they do not receive effective treatment (Binswanger, et al. 2007; Farrell and Marsden, 2007; Kariminia, Azar, et al. 2007; Strang, et al. 2003; Seaman, et al. 1998). Literature shows that veterans entering the community who are not receiving veteranspecific reentry services are part of the pool of overall parolees, 80 percent of whom do not receive adequate substance abuse, mental health, medical illness, family dysfunction, or domestic violence services (Taxman, et al. 2007). Veteran Justice Outreach Program The VA s Veteran Justice Outreach (VJO) Program allows for justice-focused activity at the medical center level (VA, 2011). A designated VJO specialist resides at each medical center, and provides direct outreach, assessment, and case management for justice-involved veterans in local courts and jails, as well as liaisons with local justice system partners. A component of the program, Health Care for Reentry Veterans (HCRV) provides assessments to reentry veterans (within six months of release) incarcerated in state or federal correctional facility; and assessment and case management to veterans released within the last four months from a state or federal correctional facility (Veterans Health Administration, 2010). The VJO Program contributes to the court and jail and prisons by the provision of treatment services with no legal advocacy. In a treatment court, the VJO does not extend to expert testimony or forensic assessments (Perlin, 2006). Research cites up to 56,000 veterans are released from state and federal prisons each year, and at least 90,000 veterans are released each year from city and county jails (Noonan, 2010). There are 71 Health Care for Re-entry Veterans Services (HCRV) specialists nationally assigned to 146,000 veterans (Veterans Health Administration, 2010), which is a colossal caseload. VA Page 6

statistics show that as of June 2010, only 16,000 reentry veterans had been contacted and 32 percent of state and federal correctional facilities had not been contacted by the HCRV Program (Clark, 2010). Moreover, current VA policy does not allow the Veteran Justice Outrech (VJO )and HCRV specialists to provide outpatient care for veterans who are inmates in an institution of another government agency, if that agency has a duty to give that care or services (38 C.F.R. 17.38). The HCRV specialist s rehabilitative care is limited to outreach, psychosocial assessment and no case management until post-release (Veterans Health Administration, 2010). In California, prior offenders who violate parole or commit new low-level offenses are placed on a parole hold and must file procedural paperwork full of a rigid sets of rules. Often offenders will waive their rights to a formal hearing and will return to prison (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, 2007; Manley, 2009). Overall, 70 percent of parolees in California return to prison within one year, and California recidivism is higher than other states (Lin and Jannetta, 2006; Little Hoover Commission, 2007). No research was found that specifically shows veteran recidivism rates. The literature states that efforts to address veterans and criminality must be collaborative and must occur throughout the entry, court, incarceration, and reentry process (GAINS, 2008; Manley, 2009; Petersilia, 2006). However, treatment providers are often not educated in cultural competency of veterans and their unique issues. There is also very little literature which provides a practical framework for educating providers in veteran cultural competency, including mental health, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse, domestic violence, and criminality (Combat to Community, 2011; Savitsky, Illingworth, and Dulaney, 2009; Sayer, et al. 2009). The Honorable Judge Manley, presiding judge over the Santa Clara County Veteran Treatment Court, cites that responsibility for supervising offenders through the incarceration and reentry process is fragmented and states that there is a lack of continuity in treatment and supervision of offenders (Manley, 2009). When there is no cohesion or assessment plan for the offender, those left without close monitoring or support are often in non-compliance with treatment, with 75 percent of probationers and parolees dropping out of treatment prematurely or attending treatment irregularly (Marlow, 2002). Taxman (2008) found that evidence-based community corrections based on cognitive behavioral and social learning principles significantly lowered recidivism rates of participants in her study. Petersilia (2006) states that California should follow models from other states with interagency collaborative efforts. States such as Michigan, Missouri and Indiana are recognized as models with a multiple level interagency collaboration in at least three phases: institutional, re-entry and community. Conclusion Overall, the literature provides us with a framework for addressing the complex needs of justice-involved veterans. It is overwhelmingly clear that a collaborative framework is needed at all levels to ensure the wellbeing and adjustment of the veteran from criminal to member of the community, and that federal systems need help and input from the community level. Veteran cultural competency, knowledge of diversion programs and treatment protocol, and overall understanding is needed in order for criminal justice professionals and providers to properly engage veterans. Legislative and regulatory change is also needed in order to address the unique and complex rehabilitative needs of veterans. Page 7

REFERENCE LIST 38 C.F.R. 17.38 Medical Benefits Package. Title 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief. 39 U.S.C. Sections 1114(a), 5313(a), 1505; 38 C.F.R. Sections 3.665, 3.666. Veterans and Criminal Justice Assembly Bill Committee Analysis, for AB 674. Assembly Committee on Public Safety. leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_0651 700/ab_674_cfa_20090420_114153_asm_comm.html. Beckerman, Adela and Leonard Fontana. Vietnam Veterans and the Criminal Justice System: A selected review. Criminal Justice and Behavior. 16 (1989): 412; Seal (2009): 1656; Milliken. 2141-2148. Binswanger, I.A., et al. Release from Prison: A high risk of death for former inmates. New England Journal of Medicine. 356. (2007): 157-65. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Expert Panel on Adult Offender and Recidivism Reduction Programming. Report to the Legislature, A Roadmap for Effective Offender Programming in California. 2007. California Legislative Analyst s Office. Proposition 36: Drug Treatment Diversion Program. November 2000. CA Penal Code 1170.9. California Penal Code 18540.4. Also see: California Military and Veterans Code 980-980.5 for limitations on benefits due to discharge status. Cassels, Caroline. Young Women Veterans at High Risk for Suicide. Medscape Medical News. medscape.com/viewarticle/703424. May 27, 2009. The Center for Mental Health Services National GAINS Center. Types of Jail Diversion Programs. 2008. gainscenter.samhsa.gov/html/jail_diversion/types.asp. Clark, Sean. VA Programs for Justice-Involved Veterans. Presented at the Coalition for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Conference. May 2010. Clark, Sean, et al. Practice Commentary: Development of Veterans Treatment Courts: Local and legislative initiatives. Drug Court Review. Volume 7, Issue 1. (Fall 2010): 171. Clubb, Brian. Veteran Treatment Courts. Presented at the Coalition for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Conference. May 4, 2010. Combat to Community. Expert Training for First Responders. combattocommunity.org. Corry, Charles. Veterans Court: Restorative rather than punitive justice. Equal Justice Foundation. 2010. ejfi.org/dv/dv-45.htm. Council of State Governments. Reentry Policy Council. Report of the Re-Entry Policy Council: Charting the safe and successful return of prisoners to the community. 2005. reentry policy.org/report/about. Culhane, Dennis P., et al. Veteran Homelessness: A supplemental report to the 2009 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Community Planning and Development, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans. 2011. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration. Health Care for Re-Entry Veterans (HCRV) Program. VHA Handbook. 1162.06. April 2010. Elbogen, PhD, Eric B., et al. Improving Risk Assessment of Violence Among Military Veterans: An evidence-based approach for clinical decision-making. Clinical Psychology Review. Volume 30, Issue 6. (August 2010): 595-607. Elbogen, PhD, Eric B., et al. Correlates of Anger and Hostility in Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans. American Journal of Psychiatry. 167. (2010): 1051-1058. Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center Workgroup. Equal Justice Foundation. El Paso County Veteran Arrest Study: Initial analysis of 1,000 veteran arrests, August-November 2010. February 6, 2011. Erickson, Steven K., et al. Risk of Incarceration Between Cohorts of Veterans With and Without Mental Illness Discharged From Inpatient Units. Psychiatric Services. 59.2. (2008): 179. Farrell, Michael, and John Marsden. Acute Risk of Drug Related Death Among Newly Released Prisoners in England and Wales. Addiction. 103. (2007): 251-255. Finley, Erin P., et al. Patterns and Perceptions of Intimate Partner Violence Committed by Returning Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Journal of Family Violence. Volume 25, No. 8. (2010): 737-743. Gambill, Guy. Justice-Involved Veterans: A mounting social crisis. Los Angeles Daily Journal. May 5, 2010. Gerlock, April A. Domestic Violence and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Severity for Participants of a Domestic Violence Rehabilitation Program. Military Medicine. June 2004. Gibbs, Deborah A., et al. Child Maltreatment in Enlisted Soldiers' Families During Combat-Related Deployments. JAMA. 298(5). 528-535. Page 8

Griffin, Patricia A. and Mark R. Munetz. Use of the Sequential Intercept Model as an Approach to Decriminalization of People with Serious Mental Illness. Psychiatric Services. Volume 57, No. 4. (2006): 544-560. Hirsch, Amy E., et al. Every Door Closed: Barriers facing parents with criminal records. Center for Law and Social Policy. Holbrook, J.G. Veterans Court and Criminal Responsibility: A problem solving history and approach to the liminality of combat trauma. Introduction: D.C. Kelly, D. Gitelson, and S.H. Barksdale (Eds.). 2010. Healey, PhD, Kerry, et al. Batterer Intervention: Program approaches and criminal justice strategies. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. 1998. Huddleston, C.W., et al. Painting the Current Picture: A national report card on drug courts and other problem-solving court programs in the United States. National Drug Court Institute. 2008. Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences. Iraq Troops' PTSD Rate As High As 35%, Analysis Finds. Science Daily. September 15, 2009. sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090914151629.htm. Jacobson, I.G., et al. Alcohol Use and Alcohol-Related Problems Before and After Military Combat Deployment. JAMA. 300(6). (August 13, 2008): 663-675. James, D.J. and L.E. Glaze. Mental Health Problems of Prison and Jail Inmates. U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics: Washington Report NCJ 213600. 2006. Kapur, Navneet, et al. Commentary: Suicide and incarcerated veterans: don t wait for the numbers. The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. 37. (2009): 92-94. Kariminia, Azar, et al. Suicide Risk Among Recently Released Prisoners in New South Wales, Australia. Medical Journal of Australia. 187. (2007): 387-390. Legal Action Center. After Prison: Roadblocks to reentry. 2004. lac.org/roadblocks-to-reentry. Lin, PhD, Jeffrey and Jessee Janenetta, MPP. The Scope of Correctional Control in California. UC Irvine Center for Evidence-Based Corrections. September 2006. Little Hoover Commission. Solving California s Corrections Crisis: Time is running out. 2007. lhc.ca.gov/studies/185/report185.pdf. Love, Margaret Colgate. The Sentencing Project. Relief from the Collateral Consequences of a Criminal Conviction: A state by-state resource guide. 2005. sentencingproject.org/doc/file/collateral%20consequences/execsumm.pdf. Marlowe, D.B. Effective Strategies for Intervening with Drug-Abusing Offenders. 47 VILL. L. REV. (2002): 989. Marshall, Amy, et al. Intimate Partner Violence Among Military Veterans and Active Duty Servicemen. Clinical Psychology Review. May 2005. McGuire, Jim, and Sean Clark. PTSD and the Law: An update. PTSD Research Quarterly. 22. 2011. Munetz, M.R. and P.A. Griffin. Use of the Sequential Intercept Model as an Approach to Decriminalization of People with Serious Mental Illness. Psychiatric Services. 57. (2006): 544-549. The National Academies. Returning Home from Iraq and Afghanistan: Preliminary assessment of readjustment needs of veterans, service members, and their families. Phase 1 and 2. 2010. National Institute of Justice. Drug Courts: The second decade. 2006. U.S. Department of Justice. Noonan, Margaret and Christopher Mumola. Veterans in State and Federal Prison, 2004. Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice. May 2007. bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/vsfpo4.pdf. Patterson, R.F. and R.B. Greifinger. Treatment of Mental Illness in Correctional Settings. Public Health Behind Bars: From prisons to communities. (2007): 347-367. Perlin, J. B. Undersecretary for Health's Information Letter: Guidelines and recommendations for services provided by VHA facilities to incarcerated veterans re-entering community living. Rep. No. IL 10. (2006): 2006-7. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration. Petersilia, Joan. Understanding California Corrections. California Policy Research Center, University of California. May 2006. Rentz, ED, Martin, et al. Family Violence in the Military: A review of the literature. Trauma Violence Abuse. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. (April 2006): 93-108. Report of Veterans Arrested and Booked into the Travis County Jail. Veterans Intervention Project. July 2009. Russell, R. T. Veterans Treatment Court: A proactive approach. New England Journal on Criminal and Civil Confinement. 35. (2009): 357-372. Savitsky, Laura, et al. Civilian Social Work: Serving the military and veteran populations. Social Work. Volume 54, No. 4. National Association of Social Workers (NASW). (2009): 327-339. Sayers, S.L., et al. Family Problems Among Recently Returned Military Veterans Referred for a Mental Health Evaluation. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. February 2009. Page 9

dcoe.health.mil/dcoev2/content/navigation/documents/sayers%202008%20family%20problems%20among%20recently%20returned% 20military%20veterans%20referred%20for%20a%20mental%20health%20evaluation.pdf. Sayer, Nina A., et al. Rehabilitation Needs of Combat-Injured Service Members Admitted to the VA Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers: The role of PM&R in the care of wounded warriors. PM&R 1, No. 1. (2009): 23-28. download.journals.elsevierhealth.com/pdfs/journals/1934-1482/piis1934148208000166.pdf. Sayer, PhD, Nina A., et al. A Qualitative Study of Determinants of PTSD Treatment Initiation in Veterans. 2009. Sayer, PhD, Nina A., et al. Veterans with History of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Challenges from provider perspective. Minneapolis Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), Minneapolis, MN; University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus, Minneapolis, MN; Executive Division, National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VAMC, White River Junction, VT, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH Volume 46, No. 6. (2009): 703-716. Seaman, PhD, S.R., et al. Mortality from Overdose Among Injecting Drug Users Recently Released from Prison: Database linkage study. British Medical Journal. 316. (1998): 426-428. Services, Education, and Rehabilitation for Veterans Act, HR 7149, 110th Congress. 2 (2008); S. 3379, 110th Congress. 2 (2008). (These Bills, with modifications, were reintroduced in Congress in April 2009 and are now identified as HR 2138, 111th Congress. 1 [2009]; S 902, 111th Congress. 1 [2009]). thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:h2138. Sherman, Michelle D. Problems in Families of Male Vietnam Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 15(5). (1992): 351-357. Sherman, Michelle D., et al. Domestic Violence in Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Who Seek Couples Therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. October 2006. Sogomonyan, Fianna and Janice Cooper. Trauma Faced by Children of Military Families: What every policymaker should know. National Center for Children in Poverty. Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University. May 2010. Sparr, L.F. and R.K. Pitman. PTSD and the Law. Introduction: M.J. Friedman, T.M. Keane, and P.A. Resick (Eds.), Handbook of PTSD: Science and Practice. (2007): 449-469. Strang, John, et al. Loss of Tolerance and Overdose Mortality After Inpatient Opiate Detoxification: Follow up study. British Medical Journal. 326. (2003): 959-996. Taft, PhD, Casey T., et al. (2009). Examining the Correlates of Aggression Among Male and Female Vietnam Veterans. Violence and Victims. Volume 24, No. 5. (2009): 639-652. Taft, PhD, Casey T., et al. Intimate Partner and General Aggression Perpetration Among Combat Veterans Presenting to a Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Clinic. 2009. Tanielian, Terri, et al. Invisible Wounds: Summary and recommendations for addressing psychological and cognitive injuries. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation. 2008. rand.org/pubs/monographs/2008/rand_mg720.1.pdf. Taxman, PhD, Faye S., et al. Drug Treatment Services for Adult Offenders: The state of the state. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. 32. (2007): 239-254. Taxman, PhD, Faye S. No Illusions: Offender and organizational change in Maryland's proactive community supervision efforts. Criminology & Public Policy. 7. (2008): 275-302. Teten, Andra L., et al. Violence Between Therapy-Seeking Veterans and Their Partners: Prevalence and characteristics of nonviolent, mutually violent, and one-sided violent couples. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. Volume 24, No. 1. (2009): 111-127. Testimony of the Honorable Judge Steven Manley, Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara to the Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee, Committee on Appropriations.. U.S. House of Representatives: Hearing on Innovative Prisoner Reentry Programs. March 11, 2009 Title 38 United States Code 5307, 5313; Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations 3.665, 21.276(h). Tozer, M.B. Vets May Be Able To Avoid Jail Time When Convicted of Certain Crimes. California Legal News Reports. 2008. legal-newscalifornia.tozerlaw.com/veterans_avoid_jail_time.html U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Federal Benefits for Veterans Dependents & Survivors. 2009 Edition. Washington D.C. Usher, Laura. CIT and Veterans: A natural partnership. nami.org/template.cfm?section=cit&template=/contentmanagement/contentdisplay.cfm&contentid=83094. Veterans: A resilient community of honor, duty and need. Springer, Forthcoming; Widener Law School Legal Studies Research Paper No. 10-43. Wortzel, Hal S., et al. Suicide Among Incarcerated Veterans. The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. 37. 2009. Yaeger, Deborah, et al. DSM-IV Diagnosed Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Women Veterans With and Without Military Sexual Trauma. Journal of General Internal Medicine. Volume 21, No. 3, Section, 6-69. March 2006. springerlink.com/content/031451136128x382/. Page 10