1. Challenges & Opportunities
Incarcerated Veterans
Challenges & Opportunities

2. Presenters Lt. Barbara Taylor Jessica Porter
Inmate Processing Commander
Juvenile Assessment Center Director
Experience:
23 years with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree
Social Science & Public Administration
Certified Jail Manager
Jessica Porter
Inmate Programs Coordinator
Experience:
5 years with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office
Education:
Master’s Degree
Public Administration

3. History of the Veterans Housing Unit
The idea was the result of an FBI leadership training class in Quantico, Va.
With Sheriff Nocco’s approval, research was conducted into programs at other facilities which could be used as a template.
Staff visited Orange County’s detention facility to observe their Veterans Unit and programs.
Identification of veterans commenced during inmate classification interviews.
Contact was made with community and governmental organizations which serve the veteran population.

4. Veterans Treatment Court
History:
In 2013, the Florida Legislature approved funding for the purpose of creating a pretrial felony or misdemeanor veterans’ treatment intervention program.
“The model here is smart justice — making sure that we prioritize treatment over incarceration so that veterans do not fall through the cracks and do not re-offend.” Assistant State Attorney Chris Sprowls

5. Veterans Treatment Court
On October 1, 2013, Sixth Circuit Chief Judge Thomas McGrady signed Administrative Order PA/PI-CIR creating the Veterans Treatment Court in Pinellas and Pasco Counties.
“The purpose of the Veterans Treatment Court is to comprehensively address, through collaboration between the court system, treatment providers, and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the service-related mental health and substance abuse issues of certain veterans and members of the United States Armed Forces who are charged with criminal offenses. The goal is to reduce recidivism through treatment.”

6. Veterans Treatment Court
Eligibility criteria:
The defendant is a veteran or service-member.
The defendant suffers from a military service-related mental illness, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse disorder, or psychological problem.
The charges are misdemeanors or some lesser felonies.
The defendant has not previously participated in VTC.
Other factors include:
Facts of the case
The input of the victim
The defendant’s criminal record
The defendant’s relevant service records

7. Pasco Sheriff’s Office
Veterans housing unit

8. Services Veterans Service Office Vets Center Military Records
Explanation of Benefits
Vets Center
Individual Sessions for Veterans suffering from Combat or Military Sexual Trauma
Bi-weekly Life Skills Classes For All Vets
Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior
By Charles W. Hoge, MD, Colonel (Ret.) US Army

9. Services University of South Florida
Treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Accelerated Resolution Therapy
Reduction of symptoms by having the patient move his or her eyes from right to left, following the therapist’s waving hand.
The patient is asked to imagine a positive way to remember the experience, which replaces the previously traumatic one.
Usually one to three sessions
No homework outside of sessions
No verbalization of the traumatic events

10. Services Supportive Services for Veteran Families
“Housing First” Philosophy
After housing is established, a variety of other services are offered which support stability & sobriety
SSVF has already secured housing for at least one veteran after his release
Developing understanding in agency members through:
Crisis Intervention Training
Assigning veterans when possible
Deputies
Mental Health Workers
Display of flag and military symbols
in housing unit

11. Challenges Limited time for interventions Classification
Transitory population
Classification
Self-Reporting
Space & staff constraints
Chronic mental illness
Chronic homelessness
Combating the mentality
Suspicion & cynicism about government
Female veteran inmates less receptive to services
Complexity of the V.A. system

12. Opportunities Increase awareness of V.A. funded programs.
At-risk population uninformed about local resources.
Establish relationships with community partners prior to release.
Veterans are more apt to seek out help when released if they make this personal connection while incarcerated.
Recognition of military service helps restore dignity and confidence.

13. Ultimate Goal:
Reduce recidivism, create a stronger community for our veterans, and repay the debt we owe to them for their sacrifice and service.