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Veterans Incarcerated Committee Annual Report The VVA Veteran March/april 2010 VIN-1-95 Veterans in the Criminal Justice System was introduced almost 15 years ago. VVA remains committed to supporting veterans who encounter the justice system and helping those who are incarcerated. We urge that court systems recognize PTSD as a mitigating factor. PTSD and its myriad of closely associated behavior issues involving drugs, alcohol, and mental health should be treated through programs stressing rehabilitation, diversion, and community service. This resolution also supports incarcerated veteran access to reasonable and appropriate veteran benefits and services. VIN-1-95 calls upon all local, state, and federal detention facilities to establish working relationships with the VA. VIN 1-95 resolves that the Department of Justice (DOJ) through the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) enforce the reporting mandate necessary for accurate identification of veterans encountered by criminal justice agencies. The last year has seen steady progress in these areas. The courts have increasingly accepted and recognized PTSD as an acceptable legal defense or as a factor in mitigation at sentencing. Similarly, the growth of Veteran Courts creating diversionary and treatment-oriented options for veterans encountering the justice system is another indication of substantial progress on this resolution. The 2007 BJS Veterans in the Criminal Justice report reflects progress being made at identifying veterans encountering the justice system. VIN-1-95 has been accomplished and should be retired. VIN-2-95 VVA Chapter and State Council Relationships with Veterans Incarcerated urges VVA State Councils help veterans incarcerated chapters and encourages local VVA chapter involvement. VIN-2-95 also notes the importance of transitional services for incarcerated veterans as they re-enter communities and encourages State Councils and Chapters to support and develop transitional programs. VIN-2-95 remains relevant as new generations of veterans encounter the justice system. VIN-3-01 Veterans Incarcerated Benefits and Entitlement resolves that the VA is responsible for providing benefits to all veterans, including those involved in the justice system. Of particular concern are veterans in need of mental health services and programs promoting rehabilitation and transitional assistance. VIN-3-01 resolves that: The VA more aggressively provide medical treatment and counseling for veterans incarcerated, with special emphasis on PTSD and other service-related disabilities; the VA work closer with federal, state, and local correctional facilities to help veterans incarcerated work toward successful rehabilitation; and the VA work more closely with DOJ to ensure reliable methods to identify veterans involved with the justice system. The VA has shown progress in addressing the issues of VIN-3-01, particularly in the hiring of VISN Re-entry Specialists. VIN-3-01 remains viable and appropriate. At the 2011 National Convention, the Veterans Incarcerated Committee will propose changing the committee name and purpose to the Veterans Justice Committee and will recommend retirement of outstanding VIC resolutions. New resolutions to support veterans challenged by the justice system will be proposed. The Veterans Incarcerated Committee: TP Hubert, Chair; Thomas Burke, Vice Chair. Members: Allen Manuel, Tom Meinhardt, Richard DeLong, Ken Braker, Robert Seal, and Connie C. Christiansen. Special Advisors: Penny Meinhardt (AVVA), Robert Sanderson (VMW), Wayne Miller, and Matt Davison. Staff Support: Elaine Chaney.
An Introduction To support VVA's philosophy and principles on a wide range of issues, the VVA Constitution establishes a number of key standing committees. The Veterans Incarcerated Committee function and purpose is described therein as follows:
The VVA Strategic Plan, approved by the VVA Board of Directors in 1996, further defines the Committee's functions, and this is detailed in the Committee's mission statement and work plan. Mission Statement: Provide benefits and services not currently being provided to veterans incarcerated by researching Department of Corrections Regulations for each state which might enable us to implement new programs for veterans and by building cooperation at the Department of Veterans Affairs. COMMITTEE REPORT: BY TP HUBERT, CHAIR The October Board of Directors meeting was interesting and challenging for the Veterans Incarcerated Committee. Membership Affairs proposed a policy change that required incarcerated chapters to adhere to the same standard as other chapters. Bill Meeks, the Chair, came to the VIC meeting and discussed the proposal. Because prison administrations are extremely wary about the money affairs of prisoners, the annual Elections Report is more easily obtained than the Financial Report. The Membership Affairs Committee withdrew the proposal. However, the next day the VVA Officers and the Board of Directors overwhelmingly accepted Membership rules that upheld the revocation and termination of VVA chapters that fail to comply with the VVA Constitutional requirement of submitting annual Elections and Financial Reports. The Membership rules hold State Council Presidents responsible for ensuring compliance, with oversight by the Regional Directors. The State Council should document the difficulties the incarcerated chapters encounter in filing annual reports. The Regional Director then may request a waiver on behalf of the incarcerated chapter. Basically, this policy has accommodated the 47 incarcerated chapters in the past. ARTICLES OF INTERESTDustup over expiring funds for jailed veterans07:00 AM EDT on Monday, May 7, 2007LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- In less than two months, a program that helps jailed Kentucky veterans return to the community could run out of federal money. The prospect has outraged the nonprofit operator and supporters of the program. "It makes no sense at all to kill a program that's been so successful," U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Louisville, told The (Louisville) Courier-Journal. Yarmuth said he is pressing the U.S. Department of Labor to consider continuing funding for the Incarcerated Veterans Transitional Program, a three-year pilot project operated in Kentucky by the Volunteers of America in which funding is set to expire June 30. [ read complete article ]
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Veterans Veterans incarcerated white paper
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