You are a Veteran and currently work with the Community Veteran Justice Project (CVJP). Tell us about CVJP and how you became a Veteran Peer Support Specialist.
From 2005 to 2011, I served in the U.S. Navy. I loved the Navy; however, due to unexpected medical and mental health issues resulting from multiple deployments, I was separated from the Navy unexpectedly and abruptly. The focus was on the mission rather than the sailor and overlooked crucial mental health concerns. I received no adequate transition services when I was released. This left me feeling hopeless and lonely, turning to maladaptive coping skills. I began using illicit substances to cope with the trauma and pain, leading to 18 months of criminal behavior to support my substance use and eventual incarceration. Despite these hardships, I learned invaluable lessons about resilience and redemption while in prison. After holding myself accountable, I could focus on healing and personal growth.
Although I’ve served my time and held myself accountable for my past mistakes, treatment could have significantly mitigated the psychological trauma endured by myself and my family during my incarceration. I could have served in a diversion program designed to address my addiction. California has a law that when Veterans are incarcerated for substance use, they can be referred to treatment instead of prison. I was the perfect candidate, yet not one person within the justice system offered these alternatives to my sentencing.
Even so, prison was the best journey for me. I found myself, my faith, and my sobriety. Because of prison, I discovered the power of education and got five associate degrees while incarcerated. This allowed me to prepare myself for society and served as a catalyst that will culminate in completing a master’s degree in social work. The lack of support I received when exposed to the criminal justice system solidified my commitment to changing this narrative for other Veterans.
Tell us about your work with CVJP. What does a day in the life of a Veteran’s Peer Support Specialist look like?
The life of a Veteran’s Peer Support Specialist is never monotonous. Daily tasks can range from hunting for resources online, to supporting a Veteran contemplating suicide by sharing my personal story of resiliency, to lobbying for support in a congressman’s office. The role demands flexibility, adaptability, and a genuine willingness to connect with Veterans on a deeply personal level. In addition to offering peer support at CVJP, our mission is to raise awareness among Veterans navigating the complexities of the criminal justice system, promoting programs designed to support Veterans embroiled within the legal system.
Consider a hypothetical case: a Veteran grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and homelessness. Suppose he‘s taken to cleaning windshields on the street just to make enough money to eat. This act, in some jurisdictions, is a misdemeanor that leads to his arrest, a short jail sentence, and subsequent probation. However, when he fails to appear for his probation hearing, he suddenly finds himself with a felony warrant.
This situation illustrates a systemic failure of our legal system. Instead of escalating the charge, we should ask, “How can we assist you? What support can you benefit from?“ This proactive, supportive approach is exactly what organizations like CVJP embody. We aim to prevent these situations from escalating, raising awareness of diversion programs that enable Veterans to pursue treatment or medication. This approach paves the way toward clarity and stability, encouraging the much-needed shift from a reactive to a preventative system.
How does incarceration or engagement with the justice system affect Veterans (physically, mentally, and emotionally), and what are three things that could transform that system to better support and serve our Veterans?
Incarceration or engagement with the justice system can profoundly impact Veterans, something I‘ve personally experienced during my 5-year stint in the system. Physically, the toll can be immense. Inadequate access to quality healthcare and proper nutrition often leads to a steady decline in physical health. The environment tends to exacerbate pre-existing conditions and sometimes even culminate in new health issues.
Mentally and emotionally, the strain is arguably even greater. The prison environment can worsen symptoms of PTSD and other mental health conditions. Feelings of isolation, regret, and despair can become overwhelming, leading to increased rates of depression and anxiety. Moreover, the stigma associated with having a criminal record can result in a damaged self-image and hamper reintegration into society after release.
Supporting Veterans Part 1: Enhancing Services in Treatment Court
In August 2023, SAMHSA’s GAINS Center hosted a webinar on the services that exist to support Veterans involved with the criminal justice system.
I advocate for three transformative actions to address the traumatic prison environment for Veterans. First, improve accessibility by enhancing access to information and resources for justice-involved Veterans. Ensure they know the available benefits, treatment options, and support services from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Second, there is something called “tailored incarceration,” where we can create specialized prison yards or units that meet specific Veterans’ needs. This environment could offer programs and support services tailored to Veterans’ unique experiences, such as PTSD treatment, substance use counseling, vocational training, and educational opportunities. A Veteran-centric approach can address their needs and promote successful reintegration rather than segregating them into a dangerous dormitory. Finally, Veterans’ courts provide an alternative to traditional criminal courts by emphasizing treatment, counseling, and rehabilitation over punitive measures. We must understand the impact of military service on an individual’s mental health; this circumstance should be considered in the sentencing phase. Fortunately, California is starting to understand the importance of Veterans’ courts. For instance, the Office of Diversion and Reentry in the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services focuses on mental health services instead of incarceration.
Through these proposed transformations, I am confident we can create a system that truly honors and supports our Veterans. While the path may be fraught with difficulties, there is always room for resilience, growth, and hope.
Your work is no doubt difficult at times. How do you care for your mental well-being? What do you do to relax, regenerate, and enjoy your life?
My work feels like self-care; it doesn’t feel like work. This past year, I received national, state, and local recognition for my work with Veterans. I was born to be a social worker. I love doing what I do and like to accomplish the impossible and prove people wrong.
I’m in graduate school and aim to be a licensed clinical social worker. I was a paralegal in the Navy and now know how to use the legal system to help Veterans understand the law and get help when facing incarceration. With my paralegal background, I recently submitted a petition (and was awarded) for retroactive relief for my crimes. This will help remove licensure barriers once I graduate.
Until recently, I’ve had three jobs at once—CJVP, work at Veterans Peer Access Network Battleship IOWA in supporting homeless Veterans, and a job at Mount San Antonio College as a laptop loan coordinator. But I just got hired by VA to be a Peer Support Specialist!
Years ago, VA would never have hired a convicted felon. For so long, I believed I needed to work hard to overcome my feelings of inadequacy around my incarceration. Now, I’m no longer defined by my past mistakes, and I go to therapy twice a week to keep working on this. That’s my self-care.
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