The proposal, from the all-party justice unions' parliamentary group (JUPG), is part of a national strategy to reduce offending among veterans.
It follows a Guardian report last month suggesting thousands of former military personnel were being arrested across Britain each month, many for violent crimes, and echoes earlier calls by a former chief inspector of prisons, Lord Ramsbotham for a Cabinet Office minister to be given responsibility for the welfare of current and former military personnel.
Recommendations, put forward by the MPs to the ministries of defence and justice, include: giving those returning from combat a psychological assessment before they leave the service, with special attention to alcohol or drug issues; asking police to monitor arrested veterans and refer them if necessary to specialist help (currently being piloted by Kent police); requiring GPs to ask if patients have served in the forces; and completion of a thorough justice ministry survey, using probation and prison officers, to ascertain how many veterans are currently in the criminal justice system. ...
- Full story by Karen McVeigh, The Guardian
- Veterans in Prison Association (VIPA - www.veteransinprison.org.uk)
- Veterans in Prison (www.vetsinprison.org.uk)