An analysis of successful outcomes and associated contributing factors in veterans' court

Abstract

This study aims to examine the extent to which a veteran's propensity for arrest following separation from veterans' court is associated with that veteran's length of stay within the program, type of discharge, or number of judicial sanctions issued. This is a retrospective chart review that focuses on the first 100 participants in the Harris County Veterans' Court Program. After controlling for a number of demographic factors, both arrests during enrollment in the veterans' court program (p = .031) and Factor Score 1 (unsuccessful discharge, fewer months in the veterans' court program, and more months of follow up) (p = .042) were predictive of arrest following separation from the veterans' court program. In addition, a prior diagnosis of opiate misuse was also predictive of arrest following separation (p < .001). Given these findings, veterans' court judges and program administrators might examine ways of continuing enrollment for veterans at highest risk for recidivism.

Veterans Treatment Court Impact on Veteran Mental Health and Life Satisfaction

“…Of course, the conclusions of the present study are limited since we lack a control groupand our sample size was small. Nevertheless, our results, like others, support the promise of VTC programs, and suggest the role of peers is a very important factor in veterans' mental health along with reduced risk of interacting with law enforcement (as in Johnson et al, 2015).…”

“…Unfortunately, however, for the Veterans who were discharged, their mental health symptoms increased while in the VCT, there was little change in substance use, and they had greater interaction with law enforcement. Johnson, Stolar, Wu, Coonan, and Graham (2015) similarly found in an analysis of 100 Veterans in a VTC in Houston Texas that those who were not successful in completing the program were more likely to be arrested after discharge. The combination of substance use, unemployment, life-time arrests, and restoration of peers and relationship building may warrant a further review in order to provide similar Veterans a successful treatment experience.…”

Innovative Efforts to Address Homelessness Among Veterans

“…While progress has been made, the ultimate goal of ending veteran homelessness has not yet been met, and more work is needed. Critical to this initiative is the leadership and organizational commitment to continue to innovate, adopt evidence-based practices [4][5][6][7][8][10][11][12], and implement a total quality improvement philosophy and capacity. Several initiatives and pilot projects underway at the National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans are helping to move us towards a more efficient and effective approach.…”

“…Assertive community treatment (ACT) teams provide intensive, often street-based, mental health care support for veterans who are unable or unwilling to come to a facility for care. The Veterans Justice Outreach Initiative has several programs that support veterans in the criminal justice system who are either homeless or at high risk for becoming homeless; these programs facilitate their engagement in services and care, either as an alternative to incarceration or following incarceration to assist in their community transition [11,12]. Finally, the Homeless Veterans Dental Program provides targeted assistance and dental care to homeless veterans [13].…”

Veteran treatment courts: A promising solution

“…Other substances of abuse did not appear to have this association. There was also no association found between rearrest and other major mental health diagnoses, such as depressive disorders, PTSD, and personality disorder (Johnson, Stolar, Wu, Coonan, & Graham, 2015).…”