Wilson announces new program for veterans | News | Berkeley Independent

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Wilson announces new program for veterans

Published Wednesday, April 06, 2011 9:43 AM

Berkeley Independent

Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson recently announced a new program designed to assist “justice-involved” veterans in the Lowcountry.

In conjunction with the Veterans Administration and Crisis Ministries, Wilson announced the formation of the Ninth Circuit Veterans Treatment Court.

This program will be a treatment option for the existing Mental Health and Drug Courts already established in the Ninth Judicial Circuit.

“The addition of veteran-specific resources to our treatment courts will mean significant enhancements to the current treatment plans,” Wilson said. “This is an important evolutionary step in our treatment-court options.

“Veterans who have experienced actual combat exposure or the impact of acquiring combat-ready skills need access to veteran-specific resources in order to close the revolving door of the criminal justice system.”

According to Wilson, the program will provide access to a comprehensive package of medical and mental health resources and the addition of peer support services designed to motivate and ensure access for justice-involved veterans.

“This is an important step for the VA, which is now reaching out to justice-involved veterans to ensure that they have access to the range of services,” she said.

“Certainly, most veterans are law-abiding citizens. However, the veterans who do suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or major depression which leads to difficulties adjusting to life at home will benefit in the joint effort of the criminal justice system and the VA working together.”

A 2008 RAND Corporation Study found that 20 percent of all Iraq and Afghanistan veterans reported symptoms of PTSD or major depression.

Studies are showing that while most soldiers appear to develop effective coping mechanisms for the stressors they encounter upon re-entry to civilian life, a significant number of members face a high risk for contact with the criminal justice system.

Specialized treatment is critical to those who have become justice involved remaining crime and drug free. Research has begun to see the impact of soldiers acquiring combat skills and of constant battle readiness upon re-entry into civilian life.

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