These issues left untreated, significantly increase the likelihood a Veteran will have difficulty maintaining/obtaining employment after leaving military service. In many cases this leads to homelessness, negative interactions with law enforcement, and often jail or prison time. Incarceration is costly and together, we are saving tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars by reducing the rates of recidivism (re-offense).
Regional Municipalities Veterans Treatment Court offers Veterans a diversion program similar to drug court or mental health court. This program facilitates recovery, and gives Veterans a second chance at life without a criminal conviction on their record.
Veterans Treatment Courts are Widespread
We are just one court of hundreds across the country. The Tucson RMVTC is a nationally recognized model.
How do we know the program works?
Since the program began in 2009, we have served roughly 800 Veterans and of those, over 500 have graduated from the program and have gone on to resume a healthy productive lifestyle. The rate of recidivism for our program participants is roughly 17% compared to the State average of 38%.
7.1% Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans meet criteria for Substance Use Disorder (SAMHSA)
Up to 20% of Veterans will develop PTSD or Depression (SAMHSA) from combat or military sexual trauma, compared to 7.8% of the general population - The National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), conducted between February 2001 and April 2003
Roughly 181,500 Veterans are incarcerated in US jails and prisons today
20 Veterans are lost to suicide every day, 3 per day in Arizona alone. Arizona’s Veteran suicide rate is at 44.1 which is significantly higher than the National Veteran suicide rate at 30.1 - VA 2016 report updated September 2018
These issues significantly increase the likelihood a Veteran will have difficulty maintaining/obtaining employment. In many cases this leads to homelessness, negative interactions with law enforcement, and often jail time or prison time. Incarceration is costly and together, we are saving tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars by reducing the rates of recidivism (re-offense).
These Veterans deserve a second chance. They need a helping hand, not a hand out.
Last update December 30, 2018
Judge Pollard explains why Veterans Treatment Courts are so important not only to Veterans, but also to communities.