N.J. launches program to help veterans in criminal justice system | State | NewJerseyNewsroom.com -- Your State. Your News.

N.J. launches program to help veterans in criminal justice system | State | NewJerseyNewsroom.com -- Your State. Your News.

"The state government has teamed up with federal, and Atlantic County officials to launch a pilot program in in the county aimed at identifying and providing community-based services to veterans and active duty military personnel who become involved in the criminal justice system.

State Attorney General Paula T. Dow announced Wednesday in Mays Landing that a two-year Veterans Pilot Initiative will attempt to provide community-based programs such as mental health and substance abuse treatment, anger management and family counseling to eligible veterans and active duty military personnel who find themselves in trouble with the law and the crime appears related to a substance abuse or mental health issue.

The program will offer eligible criminal defendants who are veterans and/or active duty military personnel with a substance abuse problem or mental health illness the opportunity to receive counseling or treatment under strict guidelines and in lieu of incarceration. Prosecutors will work with licensed treatment professionals in identifying viable participants and with both public and private defense counsel on plea agreements that ensure compliance with a treatment regimen.

“The collaboration among the agencies involved in the initiative reflects growing awareness of the strains our men and women in uniform experience when they return home from war,” Dow said. “Unfortunately, this can result in drug or mental health issues that result in criminal activity. For those who serve in our armed forces, where we can, and where it is appropriate, the justice system should marshal its resources to help get them back on the right path.”

“I am proud that this initiative will be led by the men and women in Atlantic County for the next two years,” Atlantic Prosecutor, Theodore F.L. Housel said. “This office has always understood the issues facing veterans. Those of us who were Assistant Prosecutors in the late 1970’s and 1980’s vividly remember the Vietnam veterans who became involved with the criminal justice system because of experiences that occurred overseas. Like those individuals, the men and women who have served our country in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve our understanding and help. Combat-related trauma can have devastating effects on the physical and mental well-being of our soldiers for years following deployment; this program is designed to ameliorate some of those effects.”

As part of the program, if a person who is charged with committing a crime in Atlantic County is a veteran, a member of the reserve or active duty military personnel, he or she will be screened and evaluated by a licensed clinician from Jewish Family Services, a contracted service provider in Atlantic County."