1. Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Initiative
Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Initiative
Paul J. Hutter
Chief Officer, VHA Legislative, Regulatory
and Intergovernmental Affairs

2. VJO Initiative
The VJO initiative is designed to prevent homelessness by connecting eligible justice-involved Veterans with needed mental health, substance abuse, and other VA services, when possible, as an alternative to incarceration or other traditional criminal sanctions.

4. Defining Justice-Involved Veterans
A justice-involved Veteran is:
A Veteran in contact with local law enforcement who can be appropriately diverted from arrest into mental health or substance abuse treatment;
A Veteran in a local jail, either pre-trial or serving a sentence; or,
A Veteran involved in adjudication or monitoring by a court
Related issues
Reentry for Veterans being discharged from State and Federal Prisons
Disruptive Behavior Committees to establish individualized strategies for safe management of Veterans who are dangerous to other patients, visitors, or providers

5. Implications
Veterans are not more likely to be arrested than other adults
The healthy soldier effect should lead to lower numbers
America has an obligation provide treatment and rehabilitation for the invisible wounds of the brain, mind, and soul to decrease rates of “criminal” behaviors, arrests, and incarcerations

6. Estimated Arrest Rates-2007
2007 adult population
Arrest rates
Male population
Female population
Male rate (per 100,000)
Female rate (per 100,000)
Veterans
22,614,000
1,650,000
5,076
703
Others
85,264,300
113,024,700
9,817
2,255
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics

7. Estimated Justice-Involved Veteran Population-2007
US Number
Est’d % Veterans
Est’d Veteran Number
Probation
4,293,200
9.3%
399,300
Parole-Supervised Release
824,400
9.1%
75,000
Local Jail
780,600
72,600
State Prison
1,315,300
10.4%
136,800
Federal Prison
197,300
9.8%
19,300
Total Correctional
7,328,200
9.6%
703,000
Adults Arrested
12,078,000
1,159,500
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics

8. Incarcerated Veterans: What are Their Offenses
Current Incarceration Offense Category :
35% violent
25% property
26% drug
16% public order
26% probation/parole
Definite release date: 70%
Age at first arrest: 27
Number of previous arrests: 8
N=2091 for the data.

9. Invisible Wounds
Combat can cause invisible wounds to the brain, mind, and soul
Traumatic brain injury
Mental health conditions
Both types of injuries can lead to
Poor judgment
Impulsivity
Difficulty in matching behavior to the context
Behaviors attributable to these injuries
Can look like criminal behavior
Can be criminal

10. Recent Events December 2008 April 2009 May 2009 January 2010
Outreach Planning Conference
April 2009
Summit
8 State and Federal Judges
Broad VA representation
May 2009
Policy memo
Program development
January 2010
VJO National Training Conference
Regional Training
September 2010 – Buffalo, NY
May 2010 – San Jose, CA
June 2010 – Chicago, IL
August 2010 – Tulsa, OK & Atlanta, GA

11. Deputy Under Secretary for Operations and Management Memo to Veterans Integrated Service Network Directors May 27, 2009
Designation of a Veteran Justice Outreach (VJO) Specialist at every VAMC
Requirements for VA Medical Center and VISN activity focused on justice-involved Veterans:
VA Medical Centers must provide outreach to justice-involved Veterans in the communities they serve
In communities where justice programs relevant for Veterans exist, VA will take the initiative in building working relationships to see that eligible justice-involved Veterans get needed care
Veterans courts
Mental Health courts
Drug Courts
CITs

12. DUSHOM Memo (cont.)
Requirements for VA Medical Center and VISN activity focused on justice-involved Veterans (cont.)
In communities where no such programs exist, VA will reach out to potential justice system partners to connect eligible justice-involved Veterans with VA services
Judges
Prosecutors
Police
Jail administrators
VA Medical Centers must also ensure that VA Police located at their facilities have received training on Veteran-specific issues

13. Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists
Each VAMC has designated a VJO specialist
Responsible for
Outreach, assessment, case management for justice involved Veterans in local courts and jails
Liaison with local justice system partners
Providing/coordinating training for law enforcement personnel
Specialists will
Assist in eligibility determination and enrollment
Function as members of court treatment teams
Refer and link Veterans to appropriate providers

14. Special Courts: a growing movement
Veterans courts
~ 31 operational
~ three dozen being planned
Mental Health courts
> 300 operational
Alternatives include
MH presence for all courts
MH programs for probation
Drug courts
> 2300 operational

15. Limits on VA Authorization
Title 38 CFR does not allow VHA to provide:
Hospital and outpatient care for a Veteran who is
Either a patient or inmate in an institution of another government agency
If that agency has a duty to give that care or services

16. Partnership with State Directors of Veterans Affairs
State Veterans Affairs provide additional benefits to veterans
Help identify areas in each state that would be ripe for Veterans Courts
Leverage strong relationships with Veteran advocacy groups
Leverage established relationships with law enforcement
VHA provides healthcare and treatment

17. Next Steps Continue implementation of the VJO Initiative
Maintain close partnership with State Veterans Affairs Departments
Continue working with local justice systems to establish solid relationships
Work with CIT programs and special courts in each area
Work with other stakeholders to establish these programs where they do not currently exist

18. Points of Contact
Paul J. Hutter, Chief Officer, Office of Legislative, Regulatory & Intergovernmental Affairs
(202)
Jim McGuire, VA Program Manager, Healthcare for Reentry Veterans Program
(310) ext
Sean Clark, VJO National Coordinator, Office of Mental Health
(202)
Christine Merna, Office of Legislative, Regulatory & Intergovernmental Affairs
(202)

19. Questions?

20. BACK-UP SLIDES

21. Veterans in Prison Older Less likely to be minorities
More likely to have been married
More educated
More violent offenses
State (57.4% vs 46.8%)
Federal (19.0% vs 14.1%)
More likely to have known victim * (70.9% vs 54.3%)
More likely relatives/intimates* (37.1% vs 21.1%)
Less likely to use weapon* (29.5% vs 37.8%)
Less drug offenses
State (15.0% vs 22.1%)
Federal (46.3% vs 56.2%)
Longer sentences
State (mean 147 vs 119 mos)
Federal (mean 138 vs 127 mos)
* State prisons

22. Incarceration in Prisons-2004
Rate per 100,000 adult males
Age
Veterans
Others
All adults
630
1,390
18-24
1,391
1,446
25-34
1,232
2,260
35-44
1,861
1,763
45-54
1,314
846
55-64
345
451
65 and older 76
105
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics

23. Types of Discharge-2004 61.6% 65.3% 16.9% 15.9% 3.1% 1.9% 8.8% 6.4%
State Prisons
Federal Prisons
Total number
127,500
12,500
Honorable
61.6%
65.3%
General
(honorable conditions)
16.9%
15.9%
(other)
3.1%
1.9%
Other than honorable
8.8%
6.4%
Bad conduct
3.0%
2.5%
Dishonorable
2.8%
5.6%
Other
3.7%
2.4%
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics

24. Outreach to Veterans in Prison
Health Care for Reentry Veterans (HCRV)
29,000 to 56,000 Veterans are discharged from State and Federal prisons each year
39 FTEE HCRV Specialists
Are contacting Veterans in 955 of 1319 State and Federal prisons, and have
Worked with 19,682 Veterans reentering the community from prison

25. VA-Department of Labor Justice Collaboration
Then: PL §2023:
“Shall be carried out in at least 6 locations”
Veterans: “transitioning from certain institutions (i.e. penal) who are at risk of homelessness”
Referral/counseling services: Jobs; Housing; Healthcare; Benefits.
Demonstration ( ): Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program (IVTP)
7 Sites – jail and prison-focused
Final Report to Congress (May, 2008): One-year positive effects – Healthcare (47%), Employed (57%), Recidivism (35%).
Now: PL §702:
Requires program in at least 12 locations;
Extends the program through FY2012.
HVRP – fund homeless at risk population, funded community service agencies that provides homeless counseling for Veterasns. Employment counselors. Prep for employment once the prinoners got ou. Reminding the Vets of the opportunity for health care.
Jobs – 7 sites throughout the country.
VA specialists to provide assistance. Outreach specialists
DOL will contract with community agencies.