Vietnam Veterans and the Criminal Justice System

Abstract

This article considers the incidence of criminal activities and incarceration among Vietnam veterans in the United States. Results are presented from published and unpublished studies. Most studies indicate that Vietnam-era veterans do not have significantly higher arrest rates than nonveterans but that Vietnam theater veterans do have higher rates. These arrests are primarily for nonviolent offenses. Available evidence gives no indication how common Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other delayed-stress conditions are among the incarcerated Vietnam veteran populations, or of the relationship between such conditions and criminal activities. We need more and better descriptive data on those incarcerated, as well as those on probation and parole, so that appropriate legal and interventive services can be offered.

A cluster randomized controlled trial to determine the efficacy of Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) in a military population

“…Use of disciplinary offense data as a proxy is supported by other studies which have suggested that poor psychological health in military personnel is associated with an increase in offending behavior (Beckerman & Fontana, 1989). Given that this was a secondary outcome, however, and there was a lack of effect on the primary outcome, this needs replication.…”

“…Data from the Royal Navy's disciplinary database concerning the rates of minor disciplinary offenses upon the sampled ships were used as a proxy measure of occupational functioning (Beckerman & Fontana, 1989). The minor disciplinary offenses included being absent without leave, insubordinate behavior, disobeying a lawful command, disobeying ship's standing orders, conduct prejudicial to Naval discipline, poor conduct in relation to sentries/ watches/ duties, and failure to attend appointments.…”

Conscription and Crime: Evidence from the Argentine Draft Lottery

“…In particular, previous studies have analyzed the relationship between being a war veteran and posterior criminal behavior (see Yager, Laufer, and Gallops, 1984;Beckerman and Fontana, 1989;Bouffard, 2003;Rohlfs, 2006;Mumola, 2007;Noonan and Mumola, 2007). In general, the evidence is that combat exposure is associated with an increase in the number of arrests and incarceration rates, though the effect is small.…”

Risk of Incarceration among Male Veterans and Nonveterans

“…21 Card also found that both Vietnam-theater and Vietnam-era veterans had higher conviction rates than nonveterans. 22 A review by Beckerman and Fontana 23 concluded that most studies indicate that Vietnam theater veterans (i.e., those who served in the war zone) have higher arrest rates than nonveterans but that Vietnam era veterans (those who served during the period of war but who did not serve in a war zone) do not have higher arrest rates. On the other hand, a United States Department of Justice study that used data on veterans from all periods of service found that they were incarcerated at less than half the rate of adult male nonveterans.…”