NCJ Number
235728
Date Published
December 2010
Length
2 pages
Annotation
After providing an overview of Veterans Treatment Courts, this paper describes efforts to expand their use.
Abstract
Veterans Treatment Courts have designed their objectives and procedures in order to improve treatment outcomes for veterans suffering from a substance abuse and/or mental health disorder, while ensuring that measures are implemented to protect public safety. These special courts that focus on military veterans combine rigorous treatment and personal accountability with individualized programs designed to break the cycle of drug use and criminal behavior. Collaboration among the judiciary, community corrections agencies, drug treatment providers, and other community support groups are promoted. In an effort to replicate the success of the first Veterans Treatment Courts, an initiative has been launched to assist communities in establishing Veterans Treatment Courts. The 2010 Veterans Treatment Court Planning Initiative (VTCPE) is the first Veterans Treatment training program in the Nation. The training curriculum is a collaborative effort of the U.S. Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Drug Court Institute, and numerous Veterans Treatment Court professionals. Ten jurisdictions have been awarded VTCPI grants. At the State level, a number of States have acted to promote Veterans Treatment Courts or veterans' assistance within the State court system.