Menino, Massachusetts Court System Join Forces To Help Troubled Veterans
BOSTON CBS) -- Mayor Thomas Menino announced a partnership Sunday with the Trial Court of the Commonwealth to expand court-administered programs to provide substance abuse and mental health treatment for Boston veterans while working toward the creation of a Veterans Court.
The Veterans Court would address the needs of veterans afflicted with drug and alcohol addiction as well as mental health issues, according to a prepared statement from the mayor's office.
"As we commemorate Veterans Day, we are mindful that there are many warriors among us who have returned from distant battlefields only to discover that they are still at war. Each day, these veterans battle debilitating addictions," Menino said. "Many struggle with post- traumatic stress disorder, the effects of traumatic brain injuries or other service-related mental health issues. Their afflictions lead some to criminal activity and the court system, and traditional measures are both inappropriate and unproductive for these men and women."
Court sentences often fail to address the underlying conditions that contribute to veterans' criminal conduct, the mayor's office reported. Not only do their conditions worsen, but their criminal records stigmatize them and impair their ability to obtain employment and housing, increasing the likelihood of repeated criminal behavior.
"We need a different model for these wounded warriors, one that focuses on restorative justice and rehabilitation," said Bill Sinnott, a retired Marine and corporation counsel for the city of Boston. "On this Veterans Day, the sacrifices of the men and women who have served in our military will be appropriately commemorated by our city and by fellow veterans who understand that it is our solemn duty to leave no warrior behind. This agreement takes that sentiment and carries it home for them."
Pilot programs across the country and in Massachusetts indicate high success for veterans court initiatives, with recidivism rates a fraction of those of traditional programs, the mayor's office reported. Under the agreement announced Sunday, the Trial Court of the Commonwealth and the city of Boston pledge to join forces to offer such veterans court programs and to fund the training of court officials while working toward the creation of the special Veterans Court in Boston on a permanent basis.
Several city agencies including the Boston Police Department have signed on to provide assistance in the effort, the mayor's office reported.
"The Massachusetts Trial Court welcomes Mayor Menino's support for a partnership to improve services to veterans in Boston," said Paula M. Carey, chief justice of the Trial Court. "We currently serve many veterans through special court sessions in Boston for those dealing with drug dependency, mental health issues and homelessness. We look forward to working with city and state officials to expand our ability to meet the needs of our veterans."
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