McCall Janice D, Rodriguez Keri L, Barnisin-Lange Debra, Gordon Adam J
1 Department of Social Work, Carlow University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
2 Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (CHERP), Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol. 2019 Feb;63(3):339-356. doi: 10.1177/0306624X18801462. Epub 2018 Sep 21.
U.S. Veterans treatment courts (VTCs) serve justice-involved Veterans with behavioral health and reintegration issues. However, there is paucity of efforts examining VTC participants' experiences and distinguishing the unique operations of VTCs. We summarize a descriptive history of a large VTC program in a major metropolitan area (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) and examine the experiences of this VTC's participants. We used content analysis to code VTC graduation proceeding transcripts with complementary content data from resources distributed by the presiding Judge to entering participants. From 2009 through 2016, 118 Veterans were graduated, averaging 9 to 12 months for completion for those with felony or non-felony charges, and blended monitoring with positive reinforcement within a three-stage program. From 62 VTC graduates across eight graduations, testimonies centered on gratitude toward the treatment team, treatment readiness, treatments received, and reintegration. As several theoretical frameworks on behavior change exist, opportunities remain to enhance the delivery of the VTC.
美国退伍军人治疗法庭（VTCs）为涉及司法问题且有行为健康和重新融入社会问题的退伍军人提供服务。然而，对VTC参与者的经历进行研究以及区分VTC独特运作方式的工作却很少。我们总结了一个位于主要大都市地区（宾夕法尼亚州匹兹堡）的大型VTC项目的描述性历史，并考察了该VTC参与者的经历。我们使用内容分析法，对VTC毕业程序的成绩单进行编码，并结合主审法官分发给新加入参与者的资源中的补充内容数据。从2009年到2016年，118名退伍军人毕业，对于那些有重罪或非重罪指控的人，完成学业平均需要9到12个月，并且在一个三阶段项目中采用混合监测与积极强化措施。在八次毕业典礼上的62名VTC毕业生的证词集中在对治疗团队的感激、治疗准备情况、接受的治疗以及重新融入社会等方面。由于存在几种关于行为改变的理论框架，因此仍有机会改进VTC的服务提供。
