An analysis of successful outcomes and associated contributing factors in veterans' court

Bull Menninger Clin. 2015 Spring;79(2):166-73. doi: 10.1521/bumc.2015.79.2.166.

Abstract

This study aims to examine the extent to which a veteran's propensity for arrest following separation from veterans' court is associated with that veteran's length of stay within the program, type of discharge, or number of judicial sanctions issued. This is a retrospective chart review that focuses on the first 100 participants in the Harris County Veterans' Court Program. After controlling for a number of demographic factors, both arrests during enrollment in the veterans' court program (p = .031) and Factor Score 1 (unsuccessful discharge, fewer months in the veterans' court program, and more months of follow up) (p = .042) were predictive of arrest following separation from the veterans' court program. In addition, a prior diagnosis of opiate misuse was also predictive of arrest following separation (p < .001). Given these findings, veterans' court judges and program administrators might examine ways of continuing enrollment for veterans at highest risk for recidivism.

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Crime / statistics & numerical data*
  • Criminal Behavior*
  • Criminals / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay / statistics & numerical data*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Texas / epidemiology
  • Veterans / statistics & numerical data*