The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) announces the release of Veteran Intercepts in the Criminal Justice System: Minimizing Collateral Consequences for Veterans in the Criminal Justice System with Deflection, Diversion, and Intervention and the accompanying four-part Veteran Sequential Intercept Model (V-SIM) Webinar Series.
Veteran Intercepts in the Criminal Justice System
Veteran Intercepts in the Criminal Justice System is a collaboration between NIC, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the NIC-sponsored Justice-Involved Veterans Network. This effort reflects the original sequential intercept model (SIM) that was developed in the early 2000s by Mark Munetz, MD, and Patricia A. Griffin, PhD, along with Henry J. Steadman, PhD, of Policy Research Associates, Inc. The original intent of the sequential intercept model was to “envision a series of ‘points of interception’ or opportunities for an intervention to prevent individuals with mental illness from entering or penetrating deeper into the criminal justice system” (Munetz & Griffin, 2006). The V-SIM builds on prior efforts to adapt the SIM to the justice-involved veteran population.
Many justice-involved veterans are challenged by various forms and degrees of mental illness, substance abuse, and trauma from physical injuries (with traumatic brain injury being of particular note). Each decision point in the criminal justice system represents an opportunity to intercede at the lowest level possible and to minimize the collateral consequences of a veteran getting more deeply involved in the justice system. Veteran Intercepts in the Criminal Justice System is a tool for criminal justice practitioners, veteran advocates, and local governments that outlines options for strategies and resources for working with veterans at every step of the justice system.
Click Here to view this publication!
V-SIM Webinar Series
The V-SIM Webinar Series is a four-part series that provides an introduction and overview of the veteran intercept model along with deeper dives into each of the intercepts. The goal of the series is to introduce the publication, share examples of success in jurisdictions, and offer solutions to preventing veterans from having further involvement in the justice system.
If veterans with mental health and substance-use concerns get involved with the criminal justice system, it can result in complex and challenging situations that further complicate their path to recovery. However, agencies that recognize the distinctive qualities associated with military service and the abundant resources available to those who have served can significantly foster future success for veterans and may help prevent their further involvement in the justice system. The webinar series shows firsthand how governments and agencies throughout the country are devising and implementing thoughtful approaches to working with the veteran population.
Webinar Series Titles:
- Veteran Intercepts in the Criminal Justice System: Introduction and Overview of the Veteran Sequential Intercepts 0-5
- Veteran Intercepts in the Criminal Justice System Webinar Series: Intercepts 0-1
- Veteran Intercepts in the Criminal Justice System Webinar Series: Intercepts 2-3
- Veteran Intercepts in the Criminal Justice System Webinar Series: Intercepts 4-5
Click Here to view all 4 videos in this series!
Learn more about these and other veterans-specific resources, including podcasts, audiobooks, and televised broadcasts on the NIC Justice-Involved Veterans microsite.
