Introduction
Nationally, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers
a myriad of complex health services at 152 VA Medical Center's.
Some of these services are justice-related services and approaches
that involve the cooperation and partnership of the Criminal
Justice System (CJS) and law enforcement. These services are
provided at VA Medical Center's to facilitate reentry, support and
advocacy services for incarcerated Veterans in state, county jail,
community corrections and those released but still involved in the
CJS. This reflects a paradigm shift within the VA, Court Systems,
corrections and law enforcement in targeting how Veteran offenders
are identified, afforded treatment, reenter and adjust to society.
VA's are continuing to develop re-entry initiatives, justice
coordinators and increased role within the Veteran's Court trend.
This work enhances and does not replace the duties of the CJS in
the transition of veteran prisoners to a productive life in the
community and ensuring that these veterans receive timely services
from VA to ensure a successful transition back to the community.
Post-release, the VA provides the necessary services for eligible
Veterans, other than what was provided in the institution.
Impact
In 2008, a study by the RAND Corporation found that about 1/5,
300,000 of the more than 1.6 million U.S. troops, witnessed combat
action and reported symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD) and depression. Many of those veterans did not seek
treatment for their problems, the study found. The ongoing OIF/OEF
wars have yielded many veterans that return from war with
incidences of substance abuse, partner relational domestic
violence, PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), employment,
depression, anxiety, suicide, suicidal ideations, redeployment and
related issues.
Many veterans encounter the CJS post-deployment or post-discharge
and need a treatment alternative vs. incarceration. Some Veterans
will not be afforded an alternative, like diversion, based upon the
severity of their crime (e.g. murder, sex offender, rape, arson,
etc). Veterans in this country appear to be overrepresented when it
comes to psycho-social problems like, substance abuse, driving
under the influence (DUI), higher rates of unemployment, assaults,
intimate partner violence (IPV), family conflicts, homelessness
episodes, suicides, PTSD and other problems. Veterans as a group
are not overrepresented in the corrections system, but may have
special treatment needs (e.g. PTSD, TBI, etc) not provided by the
institution. Tragically, some studies report that Veterans in
general are twice as likely to commit suicide. Another study
(Wortzel, 2009) also suggests that veterans in jail and prisons
face an increased risk of suicide. Most Veterans have had more
violent offenses, are usually first time offenders and honorably
discharged (Noonan, 2004).
Recent 2009 US Department of Labor (DOL) unemployment statistics
revealed that veterans have a higher unemployment rate than
non-veterans. The aggregate of their problems, studies and
statistics profile the timeliness and the urgency of Veterans
Treatment Courts, diversion programs and enhanced VA-CJS interface,
as we face epidemic proportions. The magnitude of this population
and their criminogenic needs has not been established.
The most recent U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Justice
Statistics (BJS) Survey of Inmates in local jails (2002) data
indicates that 9.3% of people incarcerated in jails are Veterans.
The controlling offense for 70% of these Veterans was a non-violent
crime, and 45% had served two or more state prison sentences. At
minimum, 90,000 of the 9 million unique inmates annually released
from U.S. jails are Veterans. A large majority, 82% are eligible
for VA services, having been discharged either under honorable
(65%) or general with honorable (17%) conditions. BJS reported in
2006 that 60% of all U.S. jail inmates had a mental health problem.
As of 2005, only one in six jail inmates with a mental health
diagnosis had received mental health treatment since incarceration.
The 2002 BJS Jail Survey also found that 65 % had screened positive
for either an alcohol or drug dependency problem. Twenty-nine % had
been diagnosed with at least one of five psychiatric disorders
(depressive, bipolar, psychotic, PTSD, or anxiety disorder). One in
five (18%) Veterans were homeless in the year prior to the current
incarceration. Statistics on the jail and prison inmate populations
suggest significant health risk for Veterans released from
jail.
The war's unpopularity and the prospect of a draft have resulted in
enlistment standards being relaxed over the past few years to allow
recruitment of those with criminal records. Commonly referred to as
the moral waiver process, the Army and Marines did provide waivers
for eligible recruits for misdemeanors and some felony offenses.
Most of these recruit became OEF or OIF Veterans. Military
applicants with no criminal convictions, fines, or periods of
restraint are morally eligible for enlistment. However, the
voluntary disclosure, or recruiter discovery, of any form of
police/criminal involvement by an applicant may require waiver of
the moral disqualification. It's important to note here that
federal law requires applicants to divulge all criminal history on
recruiting applications, including expunged, sealed, or juvenile
records. Additionally, in most states, such records are accessible
to military investigators, regardless of what you have heard to the
contrary. The process begins with an interview by the recruiter,
asking the applicant about any records of arrest, charges, juvenile
court adjudications, traffic violations, probation periods,
dismissed or pending charges or convictions, including those which
have been expunged or sealed. A confounding service variable that
needs consideration is the Veteran not eligible for VA services
and/or having an Other Than Honorable (OTH) or Bad Conduct
Discharge (BCD). These Veterans are typically provided an
application for military discharge upgrade and provided guidance
and support with the process. Although rare, some Veterans with an
OTH or BCD are eligible for VA services if they have a service
connected disability. They can only be seen for their disability.
Veterans with UHC, OTH and BCD discharges have had judicial and
court offenses subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice
(UCMJ). The UCMJ provides four methods of disposing of cases
involving servicemen's offenses: general, special, and summary
courts-martial, and disciplinary punishment pursuant to Article 15
of the UCMJ. General courts-martial and special courts-martial,
which may impose substantial penalties, resemble judicial
proceedings, nearly always presided over by lawyer judges, with
lawyer counsel for both sides.
Historically, reports of World War II, Korean, Vietnam and
post-Vietnam era Veterans with histories of civilian or military
trauma and service-related injuries suggest an association between
trauma and subsequent contact with the CJS. Thus, an association
for some Veterans of the Persian Gulf War (PGW). For the majority
of Veterans this appears a matter of choice and decision-making to
break the law. PTSD symptoms can indirectly lead to criminal
behavior (for example, domestic violence, substance abuse,
prescription drug abuse, hyper-vigilance, road rage, etc.) or a
traumatic incident to a specific crime.
These justice-related services are more commonly provided by VA
social workers through the following programs: Veterans Justice
Outreach (VJO), Health Care for Reentry Veterans (HCRV) and
Veterans Treatment Courts (VTC). First, the VJO is an initiative
for homeless prevention and avoids the unnecessary criminalization
of mental illness and extended incarceration among Veterans by
ensuring that eligible justice-involved Veterans have timely access
to VA mental health and substance abuse services when clinically
indicated, and other VA services and benefits as appropriate. Each
VA medical center has been asked to designate a facility-based
Veterans' Justice Outreach Specialist, responsible for direct
outreach, assessment, and case management for justice-involved
Veterans in local courts and jails, and liaison with local justice
system partners. VJO services include:
- Outreach and pre-release assessments services for Veterans in
county jails, probation and pre-trial diversion where
applicable*.
- Referrals and linkages to medical, psychiatric, and social
services, including employment services upon release
- Short term case management assistance upon release
*Note: There are DUI programs at the Philadelphia, PA; Northern
Florida/Southern Georgia; Colorado VA's; Intimate Partner Violence
(IPV) programs at the Tampa, FL, Indianapolis, IN and Buffalo VA's;
Gambling Addiction program, Brecksville, OH.
Second, HCRV is designed to address the community re-entry needs of
incarcerated Veterans. The goals are to prevent homelessness,
reduce the impact of medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse
problems upon community re-adjustment, and decrease the likelihood
of re-incarceration for those leaving prison. HCRV services
include:
- Outreach and pre-release assessments services for Veterans in
state and federal prison
- Referrals and linkages to medical, psychiatric, and social
services, including employment services upon release
- Short term case management assistance upon release
The VA cannot provide medical services that are part of care to
be provided by correctional institutions and only provide outreach
and pre-release assessment. Also, the VA cannot provide medications
while a Veteran is incarcerated.
Reentry Outreach and Diversion in the Greater
Cincinnati Area
The Cincinnati approach is unique in that the Veteran is afforded
reentry and diversion services. At the Cincinnati VA, the reentry
is provided through the Incarcerated Veteran Outreach Program
(IVOP) and the Domestic Relations Clinic (DRC) where the staff
provides outreach, pre-release assessments to ensure comprehensive
service delivery and/or community agencies, assists veteran with
parole or probation officer, problem solving and advocating for
veteran as appropriate. Also, the IVOP staff also disseminates the
Ohio state incarcerated veteran guidebook to reentry staff and
re-entering incarcerated veterans. Veterans need to be able to
provide feedback about the content, outreach worker, overall
usefulness, pre/post knowledge about veteran's benefits and general
comments about their reentry needs. In Cincinnati, the IVOP had
designed a survey tool for these purposes and obtained 143
responses from incarcerated veterans that afforded further insight
into their needs as well as guidebook feedback.
Since 2003, the IVOP has encountered and captured data on the
reentry needs of 399 Veterans (refer to tables 1 -4). Of the 399,
the contacts were made in the
following settings: 42% prison, 45% jail and 13% community
corrections. The IVOP has taken the lead role in this collaboration
with ODRC, Adult Parole Authority (APA), jails and CJS providers.
In addition, the Cincinnati Volunteer of America (VOA) has a VA
capital grant for 50 beds specific to veteran's reentry needs. VA
and VOA have finalized a housing strategy option for homeless
veteran sex offenders separate from the grant. The concept is that
homeless veteran sex offenders admitted to the VA would be
discharged to VOA under a contract for housing, transitional and
sex offender
treatment, as clinically indicated.
Objectives for Veteran Reentry &
Diversion:
- Provide seamless and collaborative pre-release planning,
assessment and coordination of services.
- Examine jailed veteran health characteristics, VA enrollment
and episodes of homelessness.
Goals for Veteran Reentry & Diversion
- Optimize their chances for successful community reintegration;
reduce recidivism and incidences of homelessness.
- Interact with agencies on a national, state and local level,
working actively for change through social action and community
education
- Identify referral patterns, sources and build coalition
support.
- Improve incarcerated veteran satisfaction and overall
functioning.
- Provide basic to intensive case services and post-release
follow-up.
The IVOP provides short-term case management services to assist
offenders in acquiring the life skills needed to succeed in the
community and become law-abiding citizens with the following three
phases:
Phase 1-Pre-release Preparation: Veterans having 6 months or less
remaining on their sentence are identified, assessed and prepared
to reenter society. Services provided in this phase include
outreach, assessment, enrollment, education, mental health and
substance abuse treatment and job linkages.
Phase 2-Post-Release: Working with veterans immediately following
their release from correctional institutions. Services provided in
this phase include, as appropriate, education, monitoring,
mentoring, life-skills training, job-skills coordination, mental
health and substance abuse treatment.
Phase 3-Support: Connecting veterans with a network of VA, social
services agencies and community-based organizations to provide
ongoing services and relationships.
Table 1: Demographics, Military Service and Housing Needs
(n=399)
Demographics |
Totals |
Enrolled In VA System |
47% |
Mean Age
Age Range
Std Deviation |
44.6
20-80
9.65 |
Gender
Males
Females |
98%
2%
|
Race
White
Black
Hispanic |
54%
41%
4%
|
Education
GED
High School
College
Graduate
Vocational |
16%
61%
17%
1%
4% |
Marital Status
Married
Divorced
Separated
Never Married
Widowed |
12%
48%
11%
25%
4% |
Non Service Connected (NSC)
Service Connected (SC) Injuries |
88%
12% |
Average Years in a Correctional Setting |
5.16 |
Military Discharge
Honorable
General Honorable*
Other than Honorable**
Bad Conduct** |
77%
13%
9%
1% |
Era of Service
Korean
Vietnam
Post-Vietnam
Persian Gulf
OEF/OIF |
.5%
40%
35%
22%
2% |
Branch of Service
Army
Navy
Marines
Air Force
Coast Guard |
55%
23%
16%
6%
1% |
Combat
Non-Combat |
19%
81% |
Homeless 1x
Homeless >1x |
74%
50% |
SSD/SSI |
12.7% |
Jobless |
57.4% |
*UHC - Uniform Code of Military Justice, Judicial Article 15
offenses
**OTH and BCD - Court Marital offensTable 2: Medical Problems
(n=399)
Problems |
Totals |
Medical |
62% |
Dental |
56% |
Eye |
28% |
High Blood Pressure |
34% |
Gastro |
17% |
Liver |
12% |
Diabetes |
13% |
Table 3: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Problems (n=399)
Problems |
Totals |
Alcohol Present |
60% |
Drug Present |
55% |
Psychiatric Meds |
29% |
Current Psychiatric |
57% |
PTSD from Combat |
14% |
Past Hospitalization for SA/MH |
37% |
Used VA in last 6 months? |
26% |
Depression |
58% |
Anxiety |
54% |
Hallucinations |
13% |
Understanding/Concentration |
45% |
Violent Behavior |
18% |
Suicide Thoughts |
18% |
Suicide Attempts |
7% |
DV Abuser Past |
23% |
Table 4 - Category of Offenses*
Offense |
Number |
Percentages |
Violent |
180 |
45% |
Property |
47 |
12% |
Drug |
87 |
22% |
Public |
50 |
13% |
Parole/Probation |
25 |
6% |
Other |
10 |
3% |
Total |
399 |
|
Categories of Offenses:
1. Violent Offense (example: murder, manslaughter, assault, sexual
assault, including rape or child molestation, robbery or other
violent offense).
2. Property Offense (example: burglary, breaking & entering,
larceny, motor vehicle threat, fraud, stole property, arson,
shoplifting, vandalism, other property offense)
3. Drug Offense (example: possession, trafficking, other drug
offense)
4. Public Order Offense (example: weapons offense, prostitution,
public intoxication, disorderly conduct, child support, DWI, other
public order offense).
5. Probation/parole violation.
6. Other/unspecified.
Identification and Referral Process
Ohio is the 7th most populous state in the country, and Cincinnati
is its 3rd largest city; the 53rd largest in the nation. To
identify Veterans, inmates were asked during the jail intake
process or during prerelease, if they are military veterans, and if
“yes” in what branch of service they served. Some jails had already
had a data field set to capture veteran information. Many do not
have this data field established. This information is then fed
communicated on a monthly basis to the IVOP Coordinator, Cincinnati
VA Medical Center for efficient, effective and seamless
services.
Consequently, the IVOP then verifies veteran status, facilitates
enrollment for those eligible, assists with DD214 processing,
military upgrades applications, Compensation & Pension
(C&P) applications, the Ohio Incarcerated Veteran Guidebook,
survey tool for the guidebook and the pre-release assessment. The
assessment tool data was utilized to identify demographics,
medical, mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence,
housing, vocational and reentry needs.
Diversion Example
The author facilitated a Domestic Relations Clinic (DRC) at the VA
in Cincinnati, OH, from 2002 - 2008. The DRC was a diversion
focused and justice-related. The DRC is a 13-week domestic violence
prevention program that was approved the Ohio Department of
Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC) and Adult Parole Authority
(APA) for reentry. The program targeted Veterans that had anger and
domestic violence problems. Nearly 1,000 Veterans were screened for
IPV in the DRC with an average score of 8.6 on a scale of 0 - 34
(mild, moderate severe), 389 were referred, 221 had successfully
completed the program with an aggregated pre-test score of 9.63 to
a post-test of 2.33.
Veterans that successfully completed (56.8%) the program were less
likely to repeat (27.6%) the offense. This outcome partially
represents what the Veterans Courts are striving for with all
offenders. Hence, this type of program offers an aspect of the
problems that are encountered and is a commensurate fit into the
Veterans Court equation. Within the VA system, only Tampa, FL;
Phoenix, AZ and Buffalo, NY are active. In addition, the Tacoma, WA
Vet Center and Boston, MA are funded for the study of IPV and PTSD.
Bay Bines, FL and Cincinnati, OH closed in 2009. This appears
contra-indicated based upon the advent of VTCs. However, some VTC
are exploring IPV programming as a component.
County Case Example
The Hamilton County Jail's Corrections Division operates all adult
detention facilities in Hamilton County Ohio under the jurisdiction
of the Sheriff's Office. With an average daily inmate population of
2000, and an estimated 55,000 admissions annually, the local jail
system is ranked in the top 25 largest in the nation. The total
system capacity is 1,240. A computerized Jail Management System
assists staff and other criminal justice agencies in locating and
maintaining accurate information on the inmate population Hamilton
County's violent crimes rate was recorded as 114.9 per 100,000 and
529.8 per
100,000 for non-violent crimes. Across the country, too many
veterans come home facing challenges the rest of us don't have to
grapple with, like life-altering injuries, scars, both physical and
psychological, medical issues, substance abuse, homeless, and some
recycle in our local jails. In 2008, Hamilton County Pre-Trial
Services, trend data conducted 07/23/08 reflected that: 99 veterans
were jailed daily, which included, 5 that were active duty, and 9
who were medically discharged; _from January 1, 2008 through June
30, 2008, 1125 veterans went through our jails (out of 23,009 total
cases), including 26 active duty, and 53 who had been medically
discharged. 973 had been honorably discharged; of those 1125, 217
were identified with a mental health issue, 642 with substance
abuse, and 205 with both.
The cumulative aforementioned VA and county jailed veteran data may
suggest that a veteran specific data may need further exploration.
The point to emphasize is that veterans have specific penal
treatment and post-release needs related to their military service.
This is especially true for veterans with service connected (SC),
such as PTSD, Mental Health, Medical, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI),
etc. There needs to more emphasis on identifying veterans at
arrest, during their entrance into the penal system and linking
this information to the VA or relevant system. In general, health
care and re-entry of ex-offenders back into their communities has
become a public health crisis. We must understand that reentry is a
complex process for the person, family, environment and
society.
Everyone appears to be seeking the perfect model of reentry. A
fragmented approach and half measures will not suffice. The effort
must be sustained to succeed and parties need to get up off their
apathies to make a difference, promote and be change agents.
Reentry for veterans is a collective approach. This cannot be
achieved in a vacuum or by a singular entity as it warrants a
collaborative response. Reentry is a process that begins at
incarceration and requires short, long and/or intensive follow-up;
dependent upon a host of factors. Conceptually, reentry involves
the use of programs targeted at promoting the effective
reintegration of veteran offenders back to communities upon release
from prison and jail. Reentry programming involves a comprehensive
case management approach, is intended to assist offenders in
acquiring the life skills needed to succeed and become law-abiding
citizens.
Veterans Treatment Courts
Veteran's Treatment Courts (VTCs) are a growing therapeutic
jurisprudence trend in the United States within the Criminal
Justice System (CJS). These new judicial approaches are challenging
the traditional roles of Judges, Courts, Jail corrections, County
Sheriff's, State Police, Probation Officers, Police Chief's and
Police Officers and the VA in affording unique collaborations,
diversion alternatives and court sanctions. These Courts are a
special docket within the Court system and target Veterans charged
with non-violent felony offenses. They are similar to Mental
Health, Drug and DUI Courts. All parties are collaborating in this
effort to address the needs of military Veterans who turn to
various crimes in the aftermath of military service. These Courts
address the needs of all Veterans ready, willing and able to abide
by the Court sanctions and make the necessary changes in their
lives. The need for intervention, services and treatment related to
their military service has drastically increased in the last
several years, especially with the impact of the Operation Iraqi
Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) wars amid a
turbulent economy. The rationale is based on the combat
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), non-combat PTSD (military
sexual trauma), economic hardships, substance abuse, domestic
violence and readjustment. Most of these Veterans are law-abiding,
but their problems contribute to criminal behavior among a
substantial number of veterans.
In 2008, the first Veterans Court was started in Buffalo, NY by
Judge Robert Russell. Since this court started, Veterans Courts
have opened in Orange and Santa Clara counties in CA; Tulsa, OK;
Rochester, NY; Anchorage, Alaska. Most jurisdictions are
encountering 100 - 150 Veterans per month. New Courts are being
considered in Phoenix, AZ, Edwardsville, IL; Colorado Springs, CO;
Las Vegas, NV; Southern Oregon; Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Scranton
and Montgomery, PA. Their successes will lead to others being
developed. The SERV Act would enhance and hopefully sustain these
efforts to help spread Veterans Courts trend across the
country.
Generally, the key ingredients of these Veterans Court and
Diversion programs are:
1) Local County Courts, Police, Pre-Trial, Jails and/or Magistrate
Jurisdiction
2) A reliable mechanism to verify Veteran's Status.
3) Court liaison to interface with the VA
4) Development and Implementation through Partnership between Court
system, Corrections, Police, VA and other advocate parties.
5) Treatment, mentoring, monitoring, advocacy and support.
6) Availability to all Veterans from all periods of service.
In traditional courts, an offender is sentenced if found guilty.
Alternative courts offer qualified participants an opportunity to
participate in court-supervised, community-based treatment in lieu
of typical criminal sanctions. Some studies on drug courts have
shown a lower recidivism rate and cost savings than traditional
court approaches. All parties in these courts (e.g. judges,
prosecutors, law enforcement, probation officers, substance abuse,
therapists, community, advocates, mentors and families) work
together toward a holistic outcome that focuses on recovery and
support rather than incarceration. Studies have shown that as many
as half of the troops returning from OEF/OIF suffer PTSD and other
disorders, and mental health is the second-most-treated ailment for
returning Veterans in the VA system. However, some question the
necessity of separate Veterans Courts, stigma of being a Veteran
and the underlying theme of culpability in the Veteran's offense.
Is there a connection between their service and crime? Are the
establishments of Veterans Courts discriminatory and suggests that
Veterans are more likely than non-Veterans to commit crimes.
Veterans have generally committed non-violent offenses such as
driving while intoxicated (DUI), drug possession, theft, domestic
violence, assaults, etc. Veterans that agree to: stay clean and
sober, urine screens, obtain mental health or addiction counseling,
and so forth will get their lives back on track. Generally, court
and VA staff meets with the Veterans routinely for case management
and progress. Some court systems even assign a mentor or adviser to
support the Veterans recovery and monitor progress. Once he/she
complete the requirements, their charges are reduced, cases are
dismissed and/or expunged. If they fail to comply, they risk facing
their original criminal charges and could be sentenced to jail
and/or prison time.
To underscore, the transition from military to civilian life is
challenging and Veterans cope in many different ways whether
exposed to combat or not. Veterans often isolate, turn to substance
abuse, domestic violence, assaults, etc. trying to cope with what
they experienced in the military. However, not all Veterans get
into trouble. The Court, VA and military systems seem overburdened,
lack sufficient resources to meet the needs of those suffering from
PTSD, readjustment and other psychological problems, which place
Veterans at-risk for a host of problems. Like prior wars, current
Veterans are also facing the growing stigma of war. Many Veterans
may think getting help is weak, but the reality is that it takes
the strength to ask for help. As indicated by the Veteran Court
bench practice and diversion trends, Veterans are receiving a
collective, holistic and multi-system chance to get their lives
back in order. Hence, Veterans Courts and diversion programs are
viable options that also warrant chances to survive and
thrive.
Conclusions
The likelihood of receiving VA services increased as a result of
the IVOP and DRC reentry and diversion services. Veterans received
case management and service coordination for medical, psychiatric,
substance abuse, PTSD, discharge upgrades, VA pensions and
transitional housing. The majority of jailed veterans had one
episode of homelessness prior to their incarceration. They reported
medical, psychiatric, substance abuse, PTSD, domestic abuse and
employability problems, but were less likely to be disabled. The
numbers of incarcerated veterans are likely to increase, especially
within the PGW and OEF/OIF populace. This is based upon expeditious
discharge mustering, under-reporting of service related injuries,
multiple & extended tours of duty, the advent of felony waivers
to enter the military) and difficulty in adjusting to life and
coping with life stressors. More VA/County Jail benchmark reentry
models, diversion programs, Veterans Treatment Courts (VTC),
appears warranted for our veterans, but will only succeed with the
sustained juxtaposition of society, corrections and VA.
For supplemental information, please visit the:
Veterans Treatment Court Clearinghouse at:
www.nadcp.org/learn/veterans-...-clearinghouse
Veterans Justice Outreach:
www1.va.gov/HOMELESS/VJO.asp
Health Care for Reentry Veterans:
www1.va.gov/HOMELESS/Reentry.asp
References
Hal S. Wortzel, MD, Ingrid A. Binswanger, MD, MPH, C. Alan
Anderson, MD, and
Lawrence E. Adler, MD: Suicide Among Incarcerated Veterans, J Am
Acad
Psychiatry Law 37:82-91, 2009
ME Noonan: Veterans in state and federal prison, 2004. Washington,
DC: U.S.
Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report,
2007.
B Schaffer: Male Veteran Interpersonal Partner Violence (IPV) and
Associated
Problems, Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment, and Trauma (JAMT),
Volume 19,
No. 4, June 2010
B Schaffer, C. Seals: Jailed Rural Veterans: VA/County Jail &
Sheriff Reentry Outreach
Collaboration, Sheriff Magazine: 31-32, Fall 2008
About the author
Bradley Schaffer is the Coordinator, Veterans Justice Outreach
(VJO) and Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) Liaison at VA Butler
Healthcare. He has over 24 year's federal service and is a USMC
Veteran. He has developed particular expertise with incarcerated
veterans & reentry, diversion, domestic violence prevention and
fatherhood programs for Veterans. He is a Licensed Master Social
Worker (LMSW) and Board Certified Diplomat (BCD) in Clinical Social
Work. He is an Adjunct Instructor, Thiel College, Department of
Sociology as well as California University of Pennsylvania,
Department of Social Work. For more information, contact him at
(724) 285-2240 and/or email: Brad.schaffer@va.gov