Bid to cut number of war veterans in jail
VETERANS who end up in jail are to be identified and offered help to turn away from crime, the Justice Secretary Chris Grayling announces today.
All prisoners arriving in custody will be asked if they have been a member of the Armed Services, and prisons will be given new guidance about helping them.
The change follows a review earlier this year by Stephen Philips QC under the Armed Forces Covenant, the moral obligation the Government and the nation owe to the Services.
The review was sparked by Ministry of Defence figures which showed former service personnel make up about 3.5 per cent of the prison population.
Moves to combat the problem include early interventions, better coordination of veteran-targeted programmes, and tailored support for offenders leaving prison.
Mr Grayling said: “Most former ex-service personnel have successful civilian lives and do not enter the criminal justice system, but I am determined to help the minority who have committed an offence to turn their lives around.”
He said society owed a huge debt of gratitude to the families of servicemen and women who had served their country.
We cannot lose sight of the needs of the minority of veterans who do end up in the criminal justice system
The families of those that had fallen foul of the courts, would also be supported.
The review also found more research was needed to discover what drove veterans into crime.
Mr Philips said: “You are actually less likely to find yourself on the wrong side of the law.
“But we cannot lose sight of the needs of the minority of veterans who do end up in the criminal justice system.
“That’s why it is vital for them, their families, and our communities that more is done to look at who they are and how we can best support them.”
Sadiq Khan, Shadow Justice Secretary, welcomed the moves but added: “It is about time the Government did more than pay lip service to the needs of veterans.”
