Executive Summary: National Survey of Veterans Treatment Courts

Baldwin, Julie Marie

doi:10.2139/ssrn.2274138

Cited by 21 publications

(96 citation statements)

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“…Our study lacked data on the characteristics of VTCs (e.g., size, target population, operations), so we were not able to compare features of different VTCs and their effects on veteran outcomes. Unlike previous studies that have conducted detailed inventories of the VTCs themselves, (Baldwin 2015a, b), our study provides detailed information about individual veteran characteristics and outcomes, and serves as a complement to those descriptive VTC studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Eligibility criteria for VTCs vary across jurisdictions (Baldwin 2015a; McGuire et al 2013). For example, a recent inventory of 461 operational VTCs across the U.S. found that 66% of courts will accept veterans with either misdemeanor or felony charges, but the remaining courts restrict participation to misdemeanor only (20%) or felony only (14%) (Flatley et al 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A National Study of Veterans Treatment Court Participants: Who Benefits and Who Recidivates

Tsai

Finlay

Flatley

et al. 2017

Adm Policy Ment Health

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Although there are now over 400 veterans treatment courts (VTCs) in the country, there have been few studies on participant outcomes in functional domains. Using national data on 7931 veterans in the Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Justice Outreach program across 115 VA sites who entered a VTC from 2011 to 2015, we examined the housing, employment, income, and criminal justice outcomes of VTC participants; and identified veteran characteristics predictive of outcomes. VTC participants spent an average of nearly a year in the program and 14% experienced a new incarceration. From program admission to exit, 10% more participants were in their own housing, 12% more were receiving VA benefits, but only 1% more were employed. Controlling for background characteristics, a history of incarceration predicted poor criminal justice, housing, and employment outcomes. Participants with property offenses or probation/parole violations and those with substance use disorders were more likely to experience a new incarceration. Participants with more mental health problems were more likely to be receiving VA benefits and less likely to be employed at program exit. Together, these findings highlight the importance of proper substance abuse treatment as well as employment services for VTC participants so that they can benefit from the diversion process.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A National Study of Veterans Treatment Court Participants: Who Benefits and Who Recidivates

Tsai

Finlay

Flatley

et al. 2017

Adm Policy Ment Health

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“…Assessment of criminogenic needs is an integral part of the operations of most Veterans Treatment Courts. For example, a recent national survey of these courts observed that the vast majority assess and monitor a number of criminogenic needs that are included in the Central Eight (i.e., substance abuse; family relationships; employment; and education), as well as assess potential veteran-specific criminogenic needs (i.e., trauma exposure/PTSD; housing; Baldwin, 2013). Most Veterans Treatment Courts are staffed by a multidisciplinary team, including VJO Specialists who work with the court team to link JIVs to appropriate and available VA and non-VA services (Clark, McGuire, & Blue-Howells, 2010).…”

Section: Challenges To Implementing Risk Assessments With Jivs In Heamentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk of Recidivism Among Justice-Involved Veterans

Blonigen

Bui

Elbogen

et al. 2016

Criminal Justice Policy Review

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Empirical research on recidivism risk among justice-involved veterans (JIVs) is limited. Using the risk-need-responsivity model, we conducted a systematic review of research on risk factors for recidivism among JIVs to identify the gaps in this literature and provide recommendations for future research. Substance abuse and indicators of antisociality were consistently linked to justice involvement in veterans; however, the evidence for negative family/marital circumstances and lack of positive school/work involvement was mixed. Several known risk factors for reoffending among civilian offenders (i.e., antisocial cognitions and associates; lack of prosocial activities) were marked by little to no empirical studies among veterans. Posttraumatic stress and traumatic brain injury, particularly when combined with anger and irritability issues, may be veteran-specific risk factors for violent offending. The implications of these findings for policy and practice and challenges to implementing risk assessments with JIVs are discussed.

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“…They are designed to meet the needs of justice-involved veterans with criminal charges, divert them from incarceration, and facilitate their engagement in an array of mental health and psychosocial services (Clark et al, 2010; Russell, 2009). Importantly, many of these courts have strict eligibility requirements (Baldwin, 2013; Clark et al, 2010) and therefore serve only a specific subset of justice-involved veterans; however, for those who are eligible, the resources and services available through these courts were perceived by VJP Specialists to be useful for addressing a range of recidivism risk factors. Consistent with this perception, there is preliminary evidence for the efficacy of Veterans Treatment Courts to improve a number of outcomes related directly and indirectly to the risk factors in the RNR model (i.e., substance abuse, family functioning, relationships with others, and social connectedness; Knudsen & Wingenfeld, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Availability and Utility of Services to Address Risk Factors for Recidivism Among Justice-Involved Veterans

Blonigen

Rodriguez

Manfredi

et al. 2016

Criminal Justice Policy Review

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The availability and utility of services to address recidivism risk factors among justice-involved veterans is unknown. We explored these issues through qualitative interviews with 63 Specialists from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veterans Justice Programs. To guide the interviews, we utilized the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model of offender rehabilitation. Specialists reported that justice-involved veterans generally have access to services to address most RNR-based risk factors (substance abuse; lack of positive school/work involvement; family/marital dysfunction; lack of prosocial activities/interests), but have less access to services targeting risk factors of antisocial tendencies and associates and empirically-based treatments for recidivism in VA. Peer-based services, motivational interviewing/cognitive-behavioral therapy, and Veterans Treatment Courts were perceived as useful to address multiple risk factors. These findings highlight potential gaps in provision of evidence-based care to address recidivism among justice-involved veterans, as well as promising policy-based solutions that may have widespread impact on reducing recidivism in this population.

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Executive Summary: National Survey of Veterans Treatment Courts

Cited by 21 publications

References 0 publications

A National Study of Veterans Treatment Court Participants: Who Benefits and Who Recidivates

A National Study of Veterans Treatment Court Participants: Who Benefits and Who Recidivates

Risk of Recidivism Among Justice-Involved Veterans

The Availability and Utility of Services to Address Risk Factors for Recidivism Among Justice-Involved Veterans

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