Hummer Don, Byrne James M, Rapisarda Sabrina S, Socia Kelly M, Kras Kimberly R
Penn State Harrisburg.
University of Massachusetts, Lowell.
Vict Offender. 2024;19(1):59-79. doi: 10.1080/15564886.2023.2288963. Epub 2023 Dec 21.
The explosive growth of veterans treatment courts (VTCs) in the United States has raised questions concerning which justice-involved veterans (JIV) are eligible and ultimately selected for participation. For instance, should VTCs be more inclusive in their selection processes, and is it possible to do so within existing court parameters? Using data from 145 interviews of team members working in 20 VTCs across the country, this study explores the perceptions of those personnel on a range of factors impacting eligibility determinations of JIV. These include the decision-making processes of VTC teams, determinations of the nexus between a veteran's military service and their offending behavior, and the capacity of jurisdictions to provide treatment and services to all JIV, either through Veterans Affairs programs or community providers. Findings illustrate the variability of VTCs nationwide and suggest that specific midcourse alterations are necessary to fulfill stated court missions.
美国退伍军人治疗法庭（VTCs）的迅速发展引发了一些问题，涉及哪些涉案退伍军人（JIV）有资格并最终被选中参与。例如，VTCs在其选拔过程中是否应该更具包容性，以及在现有法庭参数范围内是否有可能做到这一点？本研究利用对全国20个VTCs的团队成员进行的145次访谈数据，探讨了这些人员对一系列影响JIV资格判定因素的看法。这些因素包括VTC团队的决策过程、退伍军人的军事服役与其犯罪行为之间的关联判定，以及各司法管辖区通过退伍军人事务计划或社区提供者为所有JIV提供治疗和服务的能力。研究结果说明了全国VTCs的多样性，并表明需要进行具体的中期调整以实现既定的法庭使命。
