Porter County Superior Court Judge Julia Jent says plans are in motion to
make a veterans treatment court available in the county to provide troubled
veterans with assistance instead of jail time.
Legislation was passed by the state last year that would allow the Indiana
Judicial Center to certify veterans treatments court in any eligible county.
The program falls under the umbrella of the Problem Solving Courts which
includes drug court programs.
Jent, who is also a member of the state’s Problem Solving Courts committee,
said the veterans treatment court will apply to combat veterans who have
pleaded guilty to non-violent crimes or misdemeanors. The program also
includes family members of the veterans.
Case managers will counsel defendants or participants in the program for
alcohol and drug abuse, anger management and depression, similar to that of
drug court. Many of the issues can be attributed to Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder commonly experienced in some form by combat.
Those who work with the program until completion will be able to keep out of
jail and some may even see their original criminal charges dropped from
their record.
Jent said the program will also allow the judicial system to consult with
the Army National Guard and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on the
personal history of an individual vet to help determine what their needs
are.
“We’ve brought them aboard so we know how veterans can get help and it’s not
a financial burden for them,” said Jent.
Indiana Problem Solving Court Administrator Mary Kay Hudson said one of the
factors in certifying a veterans treatment court is if they have a well
established relationship with the veterans’ administration.
“It’s a great partnership,” said Hudson. “The VA has been doing a great job
with outreach to criminal justice agencies and hopefully it will foster
continued relationships between the VA and local criminal justice.”
She said participants benefit from an environment with people familiar with
their history or have experienced the same kind of stress.
“Being with people who can relate is really important as well as recognizing
the unique mental health issues that returning vets are facing,” said
Hudson.
Judges also have the decision to decide if they are willing to have the
veterans treatment program be a stand-along program, Hudson said, or
integrate into their drug court.
So far, over 50 courts in the nation now carry the new program which first
began in Buffalo, N.Y., in 2008 by Judge Robert Russell. The program was
initiated to help veterans make the adjustment back to civilian life and
prevent them from making further crimes.
Courts in the planning stages can request technical assistance from
treatment courts already established, Hudson said.
Jent said she hoped the court would be made available in Porter County
sometime by the end of this year but expects the Judicial Center to give nod
on the certification sometime in January.
Jent said she hopes to expand the program’s eligibility to all veterans, not
just combat, and also bring treatment to those who commit violent crimes
since many veterans she sees pass through her court are commonly charged
with domestic violence stemming from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
“Accountability
and treatment working together will put (veterans) on the right path,” said
Jent.
Â
Posted
12/28/2010