No Soldier Left Behind: The Veterans Court Solution

Therapeutic Jurisprudence and Restorative Justice in Brazil

The Brazilian prison population in 2016 had increased by more than 700%, compared with the situation in the early 1990s, from 90 thousand to 726.7 thousand. The ordinary response to prison overcrowding came through changes to the justice system, such as Therapeutic Jurisprudence and Restorative Justice. Although these new processes are socially relevant, there are few studies about them anywhere, but especially in Brazil. This study seeks to discuss the perceptions of Brazilian judges upon these new ways of dispensing justice from the perspective of institutional change theory. The data collection involved document analysis, court-hearing observations, and interviews with 14 key-actors in the Brazilian justice system. The results show four dimensions-beliefs, motivations, commitment, and intergroup relations-that characterize the roles played by Brazilian judges working with Therapeutic Jurisprudence and Restorative Justice. This movement can be classified as the modal type of institutional change called layering and "radical" frame blending.

Examining implementation and preliminary performance indicators of veterans treatment courts: The Kentucky experience

Veterans' Treatment Courts (VTCs) are posited as a solution to offer rehabilitation for veterans involved in the criminal justice system. Despite the pervasive implementation of VTCs, there is little research focused specifically on VTC implementation and outcomes, which are based on other problem-solving court models such as drug court. The current study presents qualitative process evaluation data from key stakeholders (n=21) and veteran participants (n=4) to show accomplishments, challenges, and lessons learned during first-year implementation at two VTC sites. Quantitative performance data is also presented on veteran participants (n=19) served during the first year to show: types of services, monitoring, judicial interaction, sanctions/therapeutic responses, and rewards, as well as preliminary data on recidivism. Qualitative data, from both key stakeholders and veteran participants, suggests that offering rehabilitation via various program components, services/referrals, and accountability are critical to the success of the VTC. Data also provides valuable lessons learned for VTC implementation including communication, collaboration, information/protocols, and resources. Performance data shows that a variety of services are utilized and that frequent judicial interaction, drug testing, and sanctions are cornerstones of the VTC. Implications and future directions for research are discussed.

Veterans treatment courts: A case study of their efficacy for Veterans' needs

Veterans Treatment Courts (VTCs) were created to: (1) address issues unique to U.S. Military Veterans; and, (2) where possible, avoid punishing veterans for crimes that may have been committed as a direct result of their mental conditions (e.g., Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and/or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)). Little research has been undertaken to ascertain whether VTCs are accomplishing their intended goals. To that end, the present case study examined three operating VTCs in order to determine if they are meeting their objectives. The research provides further information about VTC operations and recidivism rates. The research further reveals that, while the three VTCs examined are arguably benefitting veterans, they are not reaching a greater part of the population due largely to the gatekeeping role of VTC prosecutors, and the rigid eligibility requirements established by the three VTCs for veteran participation. Consequently, it's possible that the low recidivism rates reported by the three VTCs examined are inflated or constitute false positives.