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JEFFERSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE COMMEMORATES VETERANS DAY WITH INMATE-VETERANS: PLANS TO BOOST REHABILITATIVE SERVICE DELIVERY FOR JAILED VETERANS

11/11/2014

Pictured Above: Robert D. Wilson-Veteran Inmate (left) being presented U.S. Flag

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT

Major Lafayette Woods, Jr.

Operation Commander/Public Information Officer

870.541.5351-OFFICE/870.329.5652-CELL

Email: lafayette.woods@jeffcoso.org

JEFFERSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE COMMEMORATES VETERANS DAY WITH INMATE-VETERANS: PLANS TO BOOST REHABILITATIVE SERVICE DELIVERY FOR JAILED VETERANS: Jefferson County, Arkansas – November 11, 2014-Sheriff Gerald Robinson and his Detention Facility staff joined a network of service providers in the W.C. “Dub” Brassell (Jefferson County) Adult Detention Center “Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Program” to honor veterans in custody. VJO established in 2009, is a targeted prevention component of the Five Year Plan to End Homelessness Among Veterans.  The VJO Program is an outreach initiative designed to provide legally involved Veterans with linkages to VA and community resources addressing clinical needs and fostering stability.

“When our agency was first contacted about the VJO program, Sheriff Robinson who is also a veteran immediately became excited.  When discussing the VJO program purpose and goals, it was understood that the VJO program was one with a goal to promote public safety by reducing recidivism and violence among veterans who are involved in the criminal justice system and to increase their chances of being self-supporting and living independently in the community following incarceration,” said Major Woods. 

“Our veterans-inmates face unique challenges and disabilities due to their service for the country.  We owe it to them to develop programs that are going to assist with the transition from military service to civilian life,” said Sheriff Robinson.

Inmate-Veteran (Robert D. Wilson), shown in the picture above was 1 of 6 DBDC Inmate-Veterans that Sheriff Robinson sent replica U.S. flags to in order commemorate the service of veterans now incarcerated.  The flags were displayed on the outside of the inmate pods/housing areas.  At least 6 inmates who served in the U.S. Military are in Jefferson County’s Jail System.  Locally, many more participate in the post-custody rehabilitation programs that concentrate on housing, employment, substance abuse treatment, and mental health treatment.  

“We’re challenged by distinct populations of veterans:  the older incarcerated veterans, who require a specialized level of care that they don’t get years ago, and the veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan whose health-and-welfare needs are unique from those of their predecessors.  I vow to continue to offer my full support to programs such as the VJO Program and to help seek more state and federal funding in pursuit of VJO Programs efforts,” stated Sheriff Robinson."