Transformative Justice:
Serving Those Who Have Served
Mariya Leyderman, Psy.D.
Jeremy Harrell
There is often a misconception about who encounters the criminal justice system. As a society, we have been socialized by stigmatizing terms including but not limited to “felon,” “criminal,” “offender,” and “deviant.” This language has painted a harmful picture and consequently has negatively impacted our ability to accurately understand the social, emotional, and psychological needs of individuals who encounter the criminal justice system.
Furthermore, it interferes with the ability to work toward healing and rehabilitation, which is often the root of the problem. To further complicate matters, navigating systems can pose even greater challenges, especially for individuals who are already struggling. For justice-involved veterans, this becomes an even more complex process. The term justice-involved veterans is used to describe former service members who have been detained by or are under the supervision of the criminal justice system. Their involvement can range from arrest to court involvement, to incarceration in jail or prison.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates there are approximately 181,000 veterans incarcerated in prisons and jails in the United States. Veterans make up about eight percent of all those imprisoned in federal and state facilities and a staggering 65 percent of those individuals saw combat. It is important to understand and not overlook the link between those who have served our country and rates of incarceration. We must shift the question of why to what—what were the gaps, what are your needs, and what we can do to offer support and assistance?
Nearly half of justice-involved Veterans have a mental health disorder, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Most notably, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) are commonly seen mental health disorders, as well as anger and mood regulation difficulties and interpersonal violence. Though substance misuse is highly prevalent, many veterans report that their substance use stemmed from after-effects from their time in the military, such as mood or trauma-related disorders, difficulty adjusting to civilian life, and relational stress with friends and family. In addition, homelessness, financial hardship, and difficulties with returning to civilian life, particularly among those who struggled to find work and have trouble coping with the loss of military-style structure and accountability are all contributing factors to justice-involvement. There is a significantly higher risk for suicide amongst veterans who collide with the criminal justice system.
Depending on where a veteran is in the criminal justice system, VA services will differ. Those who are in jail or prison cannot receive VA medical services because they are under the care of another agency that is required to provide medical treatment. However, those same veterans can receive VA outreach services. Whereas veterans who are living in the community but are involved in the justice system only through police contact or courts can seek treatment at VA facilities. Despite where an individual may stand in the criminal justice system, the take-home message is the same. Intervention and support are needed.
Within the field of clinical psychology, meeting people where they are at and offering intervention is not a novel concept. However, the intersection of mental health practices in criminal justice settings becomes trickier. Fortunately, the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections (LMDC) in Louisville, Kentucky has taken a unique approach to working with veterans. Unironically, the Veterans Aspiring for a Life of Reform (VALOR) program was launched on July 04, 2022, inside of the jail. VALOR is a special housing unit inside of the jail that was created solely for individuals who have served in the military. The program dorm acknowledges the overlap of psychological and physical problems, the need for services, as well as the need for connection and community support. The physical design of the dorm is different, including wall-art, military emblems, and a barrack-style living unit. Like the military, the program is founded in structure, routine, and maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle. While in the program, individuals have a robust schedule of classes and programming and opportunities for support and mentorship with both correctional officers and community members who are veterans.
Immediately upon entering the VALOR program, discharge planning begins. Through a partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO), which is a prevention-focused component of the VA’s Homeless Programs Office (HPO), the goal is to facilitate access to VA services at the earliest possible point. Since the program was founded in 2009,
VJO specialists at all VA medical centers have provided outreach to justice-involved Veterans in various settings, including jails and courts. As of December 2021, VJO specialists report serving in 623 Veterans Treatment Courts (VTCs) and other veteran-focused court programs across the U.S. The number of these courts has grown significantly since June 2016, when VJO Specialists reported serving in 461 courts (VA Fact Sheet, 2022).
In addition to the VJO, LMDC has partnered with Good Will to offer soft skills training and assistance with immediate employment upon re-entry. Programming also places a heavy emphasis on the mental health, social-emotional, and substance use needs of the veteran. There are group therapy courses led by mental health professionals, a 12-step Recovery Model, psycho-education on illness, medication management, and relapse prevention. Reentry specialists who work for LMDC also actively support individuals in securing community resources outside of what is offered through the VA.
In the development of the VALOR program, community partnership was a critical component. Naturally, a powerful relationship was between the VALOR program and Veteran’s Club, Inc. At Veteran’s Club, Inc., the mission is to provide connection, healing, recovery, housing assistance, and vocational training to the Veteran and First Responder community. The vision is a world where all Veterans and First Responders receive the resources they need for healing and the services they need to live healthy lives. No matter the situation, including incarceration, Veteran’s Club, Inc. is dedicated to serving those who have served our country and communities. Jeremy Harrell, the Founder and CEO of Veteran’s Club, Inc., and a military veteran himself, stated, “At Veteran’s Club, we have a desire to meet Veterans right where they are regardless of the circumstances, they may find themselves in at the time. We have a responsibility to support our nation’s service members, after all, they signed a blank check to the US when they joined the military.”
In the partnership between LMDC and Veteran’s Club, Inc., the goal is to ensure that justice-involved veterans are equipped to leave jail and be able to successfully transition back into their families and their communities. Additionally, the overarching goal is to decrease rates of recidivism, which naturally goes together with offering people the support and services they need. While participating in the program, Mr. Harrell conducts weekly groups and begins to build connections with individuals inside of the jail. Upon release, veterans already have built a relationship with Mr. Harrell and his team and have a welcoming community and organization to transition into upon release.
Outside of the jail, veterans can continue to participate in programming offered through the Veteran’s Club, Inc., where they will continue to gain support with life skills, strategic planning regarding navigating employment, and mental health services. However, as mentioned earlier, the key component of success through the jail’s partnership with Veteran’s Club INC is mentorship and relationship building. It is empowering to be surrounded by individuals who have similar lived experiences that are reminders that change and growth are possible. Through this, veterans have tangible hope and establish long-lasting support and a network of community resources.
Transformative programming instills individuals with confidence and a sense of dignity. All individuals deserve a second chance and by addressing important points for intervention and treatment, people are given the opportunity to re-enter society in a healthier manner. Communities at large are also directly impacted because they become healthier and safer when we stop and ask what—what were the gaps, what are your needs, and what we can do to offer support and assistance?
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Dr. Mariya Leyderman is the Executive Chief Psychologist at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections, where she was appointed by the city to oversee the agency’s programming, mental health services, and community partnerships. She earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, specializing in forensics and trauma studies. Dr. Leyderman has previously conducted research on evidence-based practices for veterans with severe mental illness and conducted disability examinations for veterans in the community. For more information, contact Dr. Leyderman at (502) 574-0995 or via email at mariya.leyderman@LouisvilleKY.gov.
Jeremy Harrell is a U.S. Army Combat Veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2017, Jeremy founded Veteran’s Club Inc., which is a premier nonprofit that assists veterans healing from PTSD, TBI, substance abuse, and assists homeless veterans with housing and programs to get them back on their feet. Additionally, Jeremy works with incarcerated veterans to equip them to leave incarceration and to reduce recidivism. For more information, contact Harrell at jharrell@veteransclubinc.org.
References
Dominick, Y. (2021). Veterans Incarcerated and in the Justice System Committee Update May/June 2021.[vva.org/programs/veterans-incarcerated/veterans-incarcerated-and-in- the-justice-system-committee-update-mayjune-2021/]
From Enlisted to Incarcerated: Why Some Veterans End Up Behind Bars. [www.prisonfellowship.org/2018/11/why-some-veterans-end-up-behind- bars/#:~:text=The%20Bureau%20of%20Justice%20Statistics%20estimates%20that%20t here,to%20serve%20and%20sacrifice%20for%20the%20common%20good.]
Richman, M. (2019). Veterans Treatment Courts and other Veteran-focused courts served by VA Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists. [www.va.gov/HOMELESS/docs/VJO/Veterans-Treatment-Court-Inventory-Update-Fact-Sheet-March-2022-508.pdf]