Over 8,000 military veterans in jail, says NAPO
NAPO's report says 8,500 veterans are currently in jail
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Sunday, 31, Aug 2008 10:43
A total of 8,500 military veterans are currently serving jail time, according to NAPO, a trade union for probation officers.
NAPO said its research showed that one in 11 prisoners currently in British prisons had served in the army at some point in their lives.
Its report states that some soldiers suffered from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after serving in the Gulf or Afghanistan while others drifted into a life of heavy drinking and drug abuse upon leaving the armed forces. The trade union claims that "little support or counselling" is available to those leaving the military resulting in a tendency to commit crime.
Plaid Cymru MP Elfyn Llwyd, who worked with the organisation on the report, said there was no help for returning armed services personnel, adding that the situation was much better for soldiers in the US army.
He said: "I have come to the conclusion that if proper treatment was available for these disturbed servicemen, hundreds if not thousands would not have offended. The government is letting them and their families down very badly indeed."
The ministry of defence (MoD) said counselling services were always available for personnel with concerns, adding that the ministry had special teams to provide therapy to troubled personnel.
An MoD spokesperson said: "The MoD works closely with the service charities to support veterans when they leave the armed forces and for those who find themselves in prison.
"The Prison In-Reach initiative already provides advice on the support available to veterans before and after their release. Robust systems are in place to treat and prevent PTSD and other stress disorders.
"Counselling is available to service personnel at all times, and all troops receive pre- and post-deployment briefings to help recognise the signs of stress disorders."