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| Advances for Incarcerated Veterans |
| By columbian.com |
| Published: 07/23/2012 |
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New tasks in journalism are more rewarding than commenting on good news for America's military veterans. Last week brought two positive stories, one each at the state and national levels.We suspect Americans still fall far short of providing the benefits and services that veterans fully deserve. And we confess a bit of frustration that both of last week's advances weren't achieved many years ago. But let's stay focused on the positive. To wit: Washington's Department of Corrections is working hard to identify all veterans in the state's 12 prisons. This might not sound like a major need, but when facts are examined, it is clear that this will have a profound impact on many people's lives. Until a few years ago, only about 4 percent of the state's approximately 16,000 prisoners had been verified as military veterans. Corrections officials knew this was inaccurate because the national average is about 10 percent. But now, after gathering data from the U.S. Department of Defense and the state Department of Veterans Affairs, corrections officials have verified that rate as 8 percent. This means more veterans will receive benefits upon release from prison. And in the long run, that benefits the public in many ways, as Corrections Department spokesman Chad Lewis explained: "Incarcerated veterans are uniquely qualified for benefits that help them succeed once they complete their prison sentence. They've earned these benefits, and the public is safer when (veterans) have housing and mental-health treatment." The casual observer might wonder: How can an incarcerated person not know he or she is a military veteran? Turns out, some don't understand the official definition of the term, which is pretty simple: anyone who served in the military, whether they experienced combat or not. Others don't volunteer their veteran status when they're booked because they're embarrassed by their situation. Still others don't reveal the distinction because they're worried (unnecessarily) that their families could lose their veterans benefits while they're in prison. In reality, veterans benefits are restricted upon incarceration, but that money can be directed to family members. Read More. |
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