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Subscribe to RSSA jail in San Bruno, Calif., is helping incarcerated veterans heal from mental war wounds during their sentences.
For many military veterans, the transition to peace-time living is a tumultuous one. They discover the survival instincts and trip-wire reflexes they developed in the warzone are ill-suited for life in the civilian world.
The inability to leave the battlefield behind is landing growing numbers of vets behind bars, a problem that is leading law enforcement agencies around the country to look for new ways of assimilating the current wave of spiritually battered warriors.
Among the promising approaches to reduce recidivism among vets is the COVER Project at the San Francisco County Jail in San Bruno, Calif.
COVER -- Community of Veterans Engaged in Restoration -- was created in 2010 by the San Francisco Sheriff's Department to help veterans develop a new approach to life when their sentences are up.
Most veterans behind bars are there because of violence or drug- related offenses, according to Sunny Schwartz, the program administrator. In 2004, the most recent data available, the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics found that 57 percent of veterans in state prisons were serving time for violent offenses, with 22 percent doing time for drug-related offenses.
The project recognizes the unique needs of veterans, said Schwartz, which is why it provides services for them in a separate unit of the jail, away from the general inmate population.
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Upon entering the San Francisco jail system, veteran inmates are directed to the COVER Project's “pod” at the San Bruno Jail, where a variety of counseling programs are available. Some are aimed at building accountability and changing violent behaviors, while others concentrate on treating PTSD.
“They are addicted to a certain male role model, one that solves problems with violence and acts instinctively without considering the consequences,” said Sheriff’s Capt. Kevin Paulson, the San Bruno facility commander. “We are trying to change that and offer a new way of thinking.”
The “Man Alive” counseling program is one of many offered in the pod. It demands that the inmates acknowledge their violent behavior before the start of each class, then analyze past incidents with an instructor, who is usually an ex-convict and veteran himself.
Among the veterans in “Man Alive” is Aarin Ivans, a 38-year-old Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ivans, who has been in the COVER Project for the last few months, said he appreciates the new tools that he has obtained to help him act differently once he is released from jail.
"I never really had an opportunity to identify with the way other people feel -- the way they act toward their feelings and emotions," Ivans said. "I don't know that stuff."
Ida McCray, manager of the COVER Project, said that in addition to helping veterans stay out of jail once they are released, the nation needs to do a better job keeping them from being incarcerated in the first place.
“There is much more that we can do,” she said. “… We all, as a community, should make a much better effort in prevention, understanding, and helping veterans to stay out of jail.”
"Who would you rather come back to your neighborhood," Schwartz asked, "a man who has been spending eight hours a day to learn how to stop his violence, or someone who is sitting in his cell with all the time in the world to learn how to be a better criminal?"
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I am a Vietnam vet, and I still have to fight the system to get anytype of help. Vietnam was 30 or 40 years ago. The VA is a joke when it comes to helping certain vets and this slogan of "Hire A Vet", that too has ended up just being words. I fill sorry for the boys and girls coming home from Iraq and Pakin..., I just hope they do not have too put up with the bull.....st. That vets like me have to live with daily. People like us thought we were doing the right thing and end up paying the cost for our beliefs. The only good thing for me is that I am 60 years old and I will be dead and gone. Will not have to fight this bull....st system anymore.
there are various reasons why vets end up in these situations many just cant handle situational changes as well as others. this isnt a vet problem in this case it is a people in general problem. some have experienced thing that no one who has not been in these situations can even imagine . It doesnt help that the military in its infinite wisdom tosses used up broken soldiers out into society with out a care. this coupled with a poor job market in a society that feels foreign to the soldier is a combination that creates a sever feeling of uslessness, brings on the urge to end it all, or a despiration to do whatever it takes to survive.
many feel like we dont fit anywhere anymore and become our own little world inside ourselves
the VA has greatly improved its care and is trying to handle as much as possible but without funds, enough space and a lack of good medical professionals they are swamped. A new patient can take up to 6 months to get into the system and be evaled and it really dosnt help that 30% of the claims are fraudulent just trying to beat the system.
Fact is when we have a Republican ran government the va and other military related enities can run more efficiently do to budget increases under a democrat rule they suffer terribly in the finance department
I agree. Vets need help. My dad was a Vietnam vet who came back battered and torn. He came back a junkie and hopeless. He was broken. He died from drug abuse in a VA hospital. I walked through that hospital as a little girl and wondered how many other dads were dying there lost and alone. They serve this country to help protect what we have. They have no word in the policy and follow the orders.
I hope the next Vet that votes Republican thinks of this. They start unnecessary wars but then the Democrats get the programs going to help the Vets whereas the Republicans say "it costs too much."
So then why is it that Democrats are the one who strike at the throat at military budget cuts first and foremost each time there are debates in Congress and the Senate about budget cuts????
Why is it the Republicans who fight them?
Rob, I've read your comment a few times, and so, are you one of those who claims that all the wars American has fought have been started by the Republican Party? World War II was fought under the control of the Democratic Party. Ok, we were attacked so any party in control would have fought it. What about the Korean War? Democrats. The Vietnam War? Democrats again, and, it was a Republican President that began peace talks. Lol, what was it that Kennedy and later Johnson said? "I'm not going to be a President that loses a war."
Rob I hate to burst your bubble but after 31 yrs in the military I can tell you that under Republican control the budget for military and related services is always larger then it is under Democrat control. Also support for training is always improved under republicans. Under Democrat rein there are normally increases in welfare related spending
28 years and counting... You are absolutely correct!
And, Dean, it was Reagan who led the effort to build "Star Wars." Lol, people laugh at that, say that it was never a proven thing. Well, the Soviet Union evidently gave a lot of credence to "Star Wars." That outfit couldn't match the technology, not because it wouldn't work but because it MIGHT work. Anyway, as time went on tests showed that it did work. It was the Republican Party that updated and maintained our ICBM's. Ever read the reports from our teams of inspectors that went to the Soviet Union to monitor missile destruction after SALT? The Soviet missile force was in ruins, electronics rusted and it's doubtful that even 10% of their ICBM's would have flown. What did the Soviet teams monitoring us report back? Lol, "Hey, that American stuff is good, it'll work." If the Soviet Union was so big and bad, why did it take the missiles out of Cuba, turn around ships bringing more? Well, one thing to Kennedy's credit, he didn't blink first, and all because of Republicans who had done their job of making America secure. Well, anyway, today it's a different ball game, no major wars on the horizon, just small wars like Afghanistan and it seems that our government doesn't want to fight those to win, it might upset the PRC. And then, there's a growing segment of American society that feels; "Aww hell, it's not worth the cost, let'em have what they want."
So the american Hero's come home to no job's, no mental help, the people they killed are so far from here that there is no comparison,we don't blow up innocent people because they don't worship a certain sect of religion,aka, babtist don't kill church of christ practioners,their V.A. benifets run out so we put them in jail.What kind of world are we living in? Well we send our son's and daughter's and grandchilden off to fight a war for OIL,and that's why they went,nothing more, so the bushes and romney's and other millionares of this country can make some more money! Just like the upcomming war with Iran,there is no nuclear weapons in Iran ,but there is OIL,and the big OIL company's want it! There is no such thing as global warming, and Obama is the reason were are all broke,right! This christmas santa clause will bring you a big bundle of money and the easterbunny will bring you some eggs. Our children are real hero's, don't desert them now! Put the banker's, the wallstreet broker's, the jamie diamond's, the koch brother's the adleson's,those that sponser ALEC,that have tried to take our vote away,these people are the real criminal's. Take their money,take their freedom, take their citizenship, take everything that they possess! They are nothing but leaches, they steal from the country that made them what they are. They use tax dodges, most pay nothing, outsource our job's to country's that pay slave wages! Vote every REPUBLICAN out of office, they care more about getting Obama out of office than they care about our country! These people are greedy,selfish, don't care about you or your problem's,just make more money at your expense! I can't see how anybody could possibly vote for a tax dodgeing, draft dodgeing, cult member, yea anybody that think's you can get married after your DEAD is a cult member, in my mind! Back to the story, these people are pawn's in a game and deserve a whole lot more than they are getting! Put the real CRIMINAL'S IN JAIIL!
Daniel the main reason we are broke is the americans greed. As an american most people seem to think they are intitaled to have every thing they want instantly so they spend on that little peice of plastic, go get a 200,00 dollar house when a 100,00 dollar one is all they really need, they buy a 35,000 dollar car when a 12,000 dollar Hyundia would suffice. And how do they pay for this as well as that big boat and ski-doo? with credit that they cant afford thats how so so all the merchients cant pay their bills because the customer cant make his hence the domestic economy sucks
Well Dean, I have to agree, it's American greed that's behind our financial woes. But, buying on credit built a market system of product availability. The very fact that people want a house worth more, a car worth more, is what kept the economy sound. Lol, it may be hard to hear, but, greed is good because without greed people would only be satisfied with what they need and not with what they want. My grandmother immigrated from Ireland back in the 1920's. She had her own concept of the American Dream; Live debt free. If everyone felt that way we would all be driving updated Model A's and T's, living in the ticky tack Craftsman houses. Back home in Chicago, in 8th grade, we had Home Economics classes. Lol, we didn't make muffins, we learned to manage credit, manage debt. Still, lol, one of the hardest things I had to learn when I retired back in '03 was; What I want and what I need are not the same thing. True, but, that's valid on a fixed income. If one knows that his income will increase proper debt management goes a long way. And, sometimes it comes around and bites one's ass. Just think about where our economy would be today without greed, the desire to want more and better.
I find it odd that since it is our own government that has made these men like this that they are not the ones willing to help. Seems to me that before being released from duty they should all have to undergo a 'rehabilitation' of some kind. There is nothng that will erase from their minds the horrors of war, but I do think the military should be fitting the bill for these men.
Frances, c'mon, our government didn't make them what some of them are, we did when we backed the government to send them to war. War made them what they are and war has always done that to some soldiers. The solution of course is "No more war!" Is that a viable solution? Look around, look at the world as it is, and, nevermind the Left Wing slogan; "We, America, made the world the way it is." Lol, America didn't exist five hundred years ago and yet, there was war. People build nations and those nations imprinted with human characteristics are predatory, so yes, we can have "No more war" if we want to surrender our nation to the predators around us. Look at the basic grade school playground; There's always that one kid with friends; "I'm gonna get you." He, like the predator nations of today have the attitude; "I'm gonna get you and if I can't do it now I will when I'm able." Well, ok, that doesn't address the subject of helping our soldiers. America can and does help the returning soldiers but what America won't do is hand over the store to them, because like it or not the American taxpayer isn't willing to pay the price. War is fought to protect Americans, to maintain a economic and political system that has done more for more people than any other. Sure, it would be nice to give every returning vet a house, a car, a big bonus. Would taxpayers support that? Probably not, because, our soldiers went to war to maintain a system that they themselves will benefit from. In a sense they fought to defend America, us, and, themselves when the war is won. Hell, they didn't go to war to defend a flag, they went to war to defend and maintain a way of life that they themselves will enjoy. Lol, otherwise, why fight? To get a patriotic pat on the head?
Our Vets should be taken care of when they come home and if they wind up in trouble they really need our support and continued help. I cannot even imagine what they are going through when they come back here.. These are such young men and women most of the time. Let's help them adjust and enjoy this amazing life! It's not like it was just a few short years ago.. Today there is more help out there for then. Great story!
Counseling before the vet bottoms out would certainly help and we have let our vets down in that regard. Some jurisdictions have the type of programs being mentioned. Our county started out with a drug/addiction court, then added mental health court and now vet court when we saw a pattern of alcohol/drug abuse and violence in some of the returning vets. The idea is to provide close monitoring and tailored services to stop the behavior. It's sad these progams are not more numerous and consistent.
I agree with an above former vet poster that not all of us are spiritually or mentally beat up. My wife and I both served a couple deployments, and yes, you have to see and sometimes do some unfortunate things. Some people have a better coping mechanism than others. But the reality is the military was letting people who wouldn't ordinarily be allowed in to join, and people had court martials and chapters deferred until they had deployed and returned. Some of these people were criminals to begin with, and it had nothing to do with the deployment. We had guys who never even went overseas that were claiming ptsd from "you don't know what I been through before I came in" crap. Truth is, they were local lowlifes in the places they came from, and would have ended up behind bars anyways. Some guys are legitimately troubled, but this is being used as a scapegoat for a hell of a lot of bad behavior.
Absolutely right on D. People will always act like people, get what you can when it's available and cheat a little doing it. I wonder how many vets are on disability because a mortar round landed yards away and they fell out of a deuce and a half. Or, fell off a bicycle delivering a message. Bona fide combat injuries are of course the exception, and, mental problems, combat caused, are as real as any physical problems.
Good at War, bad at Peace. That's the trade off for many of our troops. Extensive combat changes a person forever. How can we expect a warrior who's programmed to neutralize threats as fast as possible, to then become tolerant of similar threats at home? Survive, Push, or Die. Then they we're supposed to not take out the punk threatening my life over pocket change--this piece of @!$%#, I just busted my ass in some dust bowl so they can be free to be the @!$%# up he is? Not me. Never. Not ever!
There is no OFF button for soldiers trained by the mightiest military on Earth!
Siemper Fi! Do or ___! You know the rest brothers.
Thanks Bush, thanks Chainey, Thanks republicans who voted for them. you destroy lives and then claim to 'support the troops". yeah, right.
george pauljohn, good for you for reminding everyone where this began.
This has nothing to do with an inability to leave the battlefield behind. The armed forces is now a voluntary occupation, and the military has had to lower entrance standards since most that are applying are ones who can't get jobs in the private sector, and think they'll have it made being housed, clothed, and fed on the government's dollar. They're like the type of illegal aliens entering the U.S. from Mexico: the poor and uneducated who don't qualify and can't get jobs in Mexico. So, when our Federal Government spits these people out after they return home mangled and disoriented, wondering why the cakewalk is over, is it any wonder they can't adjust? They couldn't adjust BEFORE they joined up.
I would love to see if you could get off your lazy ass and serve your country. Highly doubtful!!!
Prior to my time in the USAF, I had a career but I was wanting something more to help people and my country.
Try spending 2 weeks in active duty persons live and you may learn something.
Ah, Dean when you take 8 years of the little bush admin. 2 unfunded wars,tax breaks for the top 10%, add on the out sourcing of AMERICAN JOB'S to 3rd world countries,tack on the rebuilding of the countries that we went to war for,have we found any WEAPON'S OF MASS DESTRUCTION in iraq yet? Afganistan is now the world's leading producer of HERION,again! What have we accomplished? Use your head for something besides a hat rack,wake up,smell the herion! The richie riches are using us and people like you are helping them!
JAG24659 The MAJORITY of the troops in the middle east never fired their weapon or personally witnessed another soldier get shot at or killed. The MAJORITY of these PTSD claims are by whiners, crybabies and lazy individuals that want some of the gravy being handed out. What a shame because there are legitimate claims to be addressed. As for others on here that think society "owes" these individuals or anybody else a education or training because they had a tough life, too bad. Grow up and take some responsibility for your selves. I dont owe you a thing. Blame you momma if you want but don't blame me.
To my Brothers and Sisters don't give up on the fight you have on your hands with the VA. I'm a Veteran US Army Airborne at that. I'm still fighting the VA for a shoulder disablity I got on a jump from a C-130 and hearing loss I will never get back. It"s sick for us VETERANS to have to fight the VA for our disablities we received for providing the freedom for this country. The USA has turned their backs on so many of us. What I say if you can't stand behind our Veterans please feel free to stand in front of them when the lead is flying. With that being said.
Thank You all for Your Service to our Country! God Bless Our Troops and Veterans!
US Army Airborne Veteran!! HOOAH!
Shoulder disability? What, you couldn't do a decent PLF? Yeah well, what can you expect from a trolley trooper, lol. Anyway, good luck, from, ex-5th SFG.
I can relate, I enlisted in 1973 went oversea's on ships in the Navy, Westpac and the End of Vietnam. Coming home felt like a second class citizen, not really fitting in anywhere, worked the Firelines with the Forest Service, Ended back in the Coast Guard where at least I felt like I could relate with other prior service and contribute to the welfare of the general public, I've searched for Bridge Jumpers that were sons, fathers brothers, and pulled deceased bodies from the Mississippi River, Worked the floods and assisted many flood victims. Would deploy for a year at a time leaving my family to fend for themselves and over 10 years on ships throughtout the world, and I would do it again because I thought it would make the world a better place. From a Chief Engineer onboard vessels to Landing Craft Mic boat Coxwain and engineering department head, and engineering crew onboard a US Heavy Polar Icebreaker.
Now if you ask most family members they will tell you the the person who joined the military is not the same person they knew growing up and that the Military has changed their family member after they returned to civilian life. We also see things when we come home and try to readjust, items like we can use our military schools and credits when we get out to build upon a degree through a college and make a better life. When we turn in our transcrips for review are told they don't cross over or can't count to attain a degree as the military don't cross over to civilian. I still belong to the local Volonteer Fire Department as I know the Training I recieved in the Coast Guard is much better than we get at the V.F.D. I could go on and on but most vets understand!
If we had to Explain you would probably would not understand.
A totally irresponsible story! It is this kind garbage journalism that has put a stigma on separating vets. Fact: PTSD effects 10 million + Americans; it could be a result of a death in the family, a traumatic event like a car accident etc. Only 3% of Vets have PTSD and only a fraction of them served in combat. The unemployment rate of vets is double that of the civilian population because of stories like this. The Marine Corps is piloting a new transition program that it hopes will enable vets to gain employment quicker so that they quickly assimilate back into civilian life. A job can make all the difference in whether a Vet ends up in the suburbs or jail.
“Genocide involves the attempt to achieve the disappearance of a group by whatever means. It does not have to be violent, it could be a combination of policies that would lead to a certain group dying out.”
Malcolm Fraser (Prime Minister of Australia 1975-1983)
Attempting to ‘blend’ White people, out of existence in Every White country at the same time is Genocide.
Nobody is doing this to Every Asian country, or Every Black country.
‘Anti-racism’ is a codeword for Anti-White
Damn Steven, man, where did you get all that? What, did you think that this is some kind of Klan site? And, by the way, I know a little something about the Klan since my father-in-law was in it, and, asked his wife, my wife's mother when we would visit; "When's that Ni**er loving sumbitch Yankee going back home to Chicago?" Well, I told him the same thing I told a few older guys back home, at work; "Man, when your generation is dead and gone it'll be a better country."
After serving in a "matter of fact" organized environment, and the survival mentality of a combat zone....I believe many vets just dont have the tolerance for civilian Bullsh*t and drama. I know I didn't. After a young twenty something can make instant life & death decisions and accomplish impossible tasks suddenly finds himself working with idiots who cant decide whats for lunch without drama would drive anyone to violence....
Good Luck to those returning....its not a warm return sadly. Semper Fi
Lol, good one AZ, no tolerance for civilian bullsh!t. Cool, most civilians don't have the tolerance for military bullsh!t, and, it's a lot more profound. So, if a soldier survived it civilian life is a snap guy.
The wars in the Middle East have been devastating for the men and women who have fought for democracy on our behalf. They deserve so much more than they are receiving. A BIG thumbs up for San Francisco for trying to alleviate their confusion and suffering. California is broke and still they can find the funds to help these folks. I think we can all do just a LITTLE bit better. If I wasn't a middle aged lady, I would have volunteered after 9/11. I was part of a residential disaster team at the time and I was deployed to the site. Once there, as soon as it was realized it was a terrorist attack, we were all sent home. No unauthorized civilians. I had done hurricanes and floods, I was not prepared for what was there. I thank God for the people who fought this battle for people like myself...I couldn't handle it. Not many of us really could.
Guess this issue is going to be exploited for all it's worth. Many veterans can see through the BS that a very, very small percentage of "ex-service members" try to capitalize on. These morons play on the left over guilt from the Vietnam Era. Those out there like scottlee09, dougjones-1465038, max^108, tattereddawn, and deviate, seem able to attest to the BS used by these "societal malcontents." This crap continues to move forward because good people out there, who are concerned, are being made fools of by these individuals and those looking to capitalize on a "feel good" issue. Don't be mislead folks. There are those out there who could genuinely use a "thank you", or positive thought towards them. This "sensationalizing" of jailed, dysfunctional, and nonproductive S%#t Birds, can lead to a stereotype that vets do not deserve. Just research it out before you give support. If you want to support and help vets, do so for those who are deserving and want to move forward.
kevink-201,
Sorry, but they went into harm's way to protect a small segment of our societies "way of life." Do some research and get the facts.
Sprintcar pilot,
Wow. PTSD huh? And you served on a ship? Your irresponsible choices were likely due to the influences around you...fellow sailors. The reality was that you wanted to "fit in" with the "cool" people. You remember the era, "sex, drugs, anti establishment and rampant drug use." Give it a rest and accept responsibility for your actions. You're out looking for the "recognition" you think you were deprived of. Not fooling anyone but yourself.
All these problems for vets, and I sit here with a program that WILL help, but no facilities to use to run it in.
I ran out of money from my pocket, and have not found businesses or organizations that are willing to help.
check it out, uflci . org is my approach and programs that will help others if I can find a place here locally ( San Jose, CA ) that I can set up and use. Once I can get it going, I hope to expand it to other areas as money is available.
Waaah! These bozos are quailfied to murder legally and little else. Criminals deserve to be
punished - govenment and non-government criminals. No one helped them to commit their crimes.
Why sould anyone help them to do their time? Whining cowards.
Heroes? Really? Really?
Abused, what is "Legally murdered?" If a killing is legal, how can it be murder? And, in combat when assaulting a village with orders to shoot to kill anyone appearing hostile, the killing is legal. Lol, that point was argued extensively in 'Nam, especially the Lt. Calley situation. Hell, if I'm assaulting a village that is a known VC sancturay it'll be amazing how many people are going to appear hostile. Like I was told once; "If they're not lying prone with hands on their heads they are hostile.