The Howard League for Penal Reform has announced an independent inquiry into the large numbers of former armed service personnel in prison - poignantly, it was launched on Armistice Day.
The inquiry will be chaired by Sir John Nutting QC, one of the country's leading barristers, and is expected to last a year.
It will hold consultation sessions, visit prisons and go to the United States to examine new developments such as the introduction of veterans' courts.
Plaid Cymru's Westminster leader Elfyn Llwyd MP will sit on the inquiry's advisory group.
He writes for ePolitix.com about tackling the large numbers of veterans in UK prisons.
I have been trying to get the government to wake up to this problem for several years now and just a few weeks ago the prime minister finally admitted that his government had no idea how many ex-service personnel are in prisons across England and Wales.
The reality is that the number of ex-servicemen in prisons shockingly high.
Figures from NAPO suggest that an estimated 8,500 veterans are in prison, almost one in 10 of the prison population.
This does not include the large number under supervision and serving community sentences.
This is exactly why this report is so needed and why I've campaigned to get answers for so long.
A gaping hole has formed in the system and many former servicemen have fallen into it.
Why are there so many veterans in the prison and justice system?
The Howard League for Penal Reform is highly respected, so a report from this establishment will add considerable weight to the campaign.
Ignoring this issue is simply not an option – the UK government must listen to the final report.
I first became aware of the problem through my work as a barrister.
I saw an unprecedented number of former servicemen coming through the courts system, and yet the imbalance didn't seem to register.
It wasn't even a factored in to the court rulings and rehabilitation programmes.
Young men and women are coming back from conflict areas such as Iraq and Afghanistan and it is apparent that not enough is being done to help them once they join 'civvy street'.
Since I first got involved with this issue several years ago, I've been surprised how many veterans groups have contacted me to talk about the difficulties that many of their members faced in re-adjusting to society after serving abroad.
Some issues are finally coming into the public eye – such as the fact that a disproportionate number of soldiers are killed in road traffic accidents back home for example.
But this is no coincidence either and we now need answers and solutions.
These figures point to the fact that service personnel are returning from conflict zones and are facing new challenges when adjusting to life outside of the forces.
We cannot underestimate the support needed, from psychological to financial.
This is one of the key things that I hope this inquiry will address.
I hope that the report will also stop this subject being so taboo.
It is important that we find ways to help prevent armed service personnel ending up in prison and that we are able to reward them in the correct way for the sacrifices they make.
It is fitting that the inquiry launched on Armistice Day, when the whole country remembered the sacrifices the armed forces have made on our behalf.
Article Comments
Yes I totally agree, these troops really must have full support when they are discharged from service. They have more than earned the right to be given time and understanding and all possible help to steer them in the right direction.Putting money in the poppy tin once a year is just not good enough.
12th Nov 2009 at 12:53 pm by peter jones
