Justice-Involved Veterans

On any given day, approximately 730,000 people are being held in America’s jails. Approximately 160,000 men and women who have served this country are currently serving a jail or prison sentence. While many police departments have a veteran's community liaison, veterans are at higher risk of homelessness and arrest.


Veterans with mental health issues are at risk of public 'PTSD moments' that can easily result in arrest for violent offenses, and in some instances, suicide by cop. 

Veteran sentences tend to be longer: 

  • 60% of the 181,000 incarcerated veterans are for non-violent charges 
  • 16% were serving life sentences compared to 14% of non-veterans 
  • 35% of veterans compared to 23% of non-veterans were incarcerated for a violent sexual offense 
  • A total 64% of veterans compared to 48% of non-veterans were imprisoned for all violent offenses 
  • Only 14% of veterans compared to 23% non-veterans are incarcerated for drug offenses
  • 600,000 veterans cannot vote because of felony conviction 
  • $56.9 Billion state’s expenditures on corrections for 2015
  • 43% of veterans and 55% of non-veterans in prison had four or more prior arrests, and 
  • 17% were serving sentences of four years or less compared to non-veterans at 21%

The Justice System's Blind Spots for Veterans


While the American public largely supports veterans and feels a deep empathy for their sacrifices, the criminal justice system often fails to show the same understanding. Many courts and prosecutors dismiss PTSD as an excuse for criminal behavior, with comments like “Being a veteran is not a ‘get out of jail free’ card” or “As a veteran, you’re supposed to know better.” These perspectives disregard the complex nature of mental health conditions and the fact that PTSD can deeply influence a veteran’s actions, often in ways that are not fully understood or acknowledged by the legal system.


This lack of recognition can be devastating for veterans caught in the criminal justice system. For example, PTSD has been presented as a defense in many criminal cases, yet it is often met with skepticism. In several cases, judges and juries fail to consider how combat experiences and mental health disorders may have influenced the defendant’s actions. While PTSD may not excuse criminal behavior in every case, its impact should not be ignored. Just as other mental health disorders like depression and anxiety can influence behavior, PTSD’s effects on a veteran’s actions should be given fair consideration in legal proceedings.