Veterans Treatment Court Studies and Statistics
Veterans Treatment Courts are responses to the growing trend of veterans appearing before the courts to face charges stemming from substance abuse or mental illness. Drug and Mental Health Courts have always served veteran populations. But research has shown that traditional services do not always adequately meet the needs of veterans. Most veterans are entitled to treatment through the VA. Veterans Treatment Courts help connect them with these benefits.
Drug and Veterans Treatment Courts: Budget Restraint and More Evaluations of Effectiveness Needed
By David Muhlhausen, Ph.D.
July 20, 2011
Veterans with PTSD in the Justice System
Tina Crenshaw, PhD, MLS
In recent years, programs have been developed to avoid unnecessary incarceration of Veterans who have deployed to war and subsequently developed mental health problems. The programs aim to assist Veterans who become involved in the justice system to get treatment for mental health problems that may exist. These programs are especially needed given the numbers of Veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.
Veterans Treatment Court
In 2008 the Center for Mental Health Service of the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) convened a conference with the goal of looking at ways to decrease the involvement of Veterans with the justice system and to provide them with mental health treatment. The conference was attended by representatives from law enforcement, corrections, the courts, community organizations, Federal agencies, and Veterans’ health and advocacy organizations. Out of this forum emerged recommendations for a Veterans Treatment Court (1).
