Op-Ed: More Veterans courts needed in PA

Some of our veterans returned home with physical injuries or scars. Many returned with emotional or psychological wounds that may take years or even decades to heal.

Many veterans saw and experienced traumatic events. Their service to our nation can leave them more vulnerable to addiction and mental illness. They bear these burdens because they defended us.

Now it is our turn to defend them.

Many veterans may not realize they have a trauma-induced problem until it is too late.

The formerly quiet and patient veteran flies off the handle and loses his temper at his wife, leading her to call law enforcement when she’s not sure where else to turn.

The previously solid and stoic veteran begins casually referencing suicide, leading her family to call law enforcement when they fear for her safety.

Our veterans’ trauma-induced issues may first surface through an interaction with law enforcement.

The good news is the problem finally may begin to be addressed. The bad news is that our criminal justice system is not always the best place to handle these issues, especially for veterans.

That is why I worked in the past to enact a law enabling Pennsylvania counties to establish Veterans Courts. These problem-solving courts are intended to help our veterans rather than punishing them for the addiction or mental illness that resulted from their service.

The veterans come before judges on a regular basis, receive mentorship from fellow veterans, are supervised by specialized probation officers, and receive treatment and support from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

That last point is key. Veterans can access a variety of programs and services through the benefits they earned by serving our country. Those resources often are a better option than punishment through the criminal justice system. Rehabilitation is preferable to incarceration.

We’ve seen progress in a relatively short time period. Since my bill enabling counties to establish Veterans Courts was enacted in 2020, 25 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties have established one. Veterans in those counties have access to this life-saving resource.

That also means veterans in 42 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties – or nearly two out of every three counties – currently lack access to this transformational resource. Veterans in those counties who need help may find themselves at the mercy of the traditional criminal justice system.

Pennsylvania can and must do better for our veterans.

A veteran’s ability to access addiction and mental illness resources should not depend on the county in which he or she lives. Veterans who end up in our criminal justice system should have access to these resources regardless of which Pennsylvania county they call home.

We know Veterans Courts work. In 2022, 167 veterans graduated from the program, representing an 81% successful graduation rate. They are a “win-win-win” for the veteran, the justice system and the taxpayers.

We need to support our veterans during and after their time of service. Veterans Courts are one more way we can back the men and women who defended our nation, its values and everything we hold dear.

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Sen. Doug Mastriano represents the 33rd Senatorial District, covering Adams and Franklin counties, serves as chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and is a U.S. Army combat veteran. He co-sponsored Senate Bill 976, which became Act 11 of 2020 and enabled Pennsylvania counties to establish Veterans Courts as a means to help veterans struggling with legal issues resulting from addiction or mental illness related to their military service.