By Janelle Schwartz, State Bar of Wisconsin
July 8, 2009 – The State Public Defender’s Office is leaving no one behind when it comes to moving forward with the development of its new Wisconsin Veterans Intervention Program (WI-VIP), designed to address the unique needs of combat veterans and help them get through the court system.
Many activities, including joint trainings, are underway to move the project forward and provide veterans with proper services and benefits. Last week the State Public Defender, the Veterans’ Administration, the WI-Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Justice, and the Wisconsin Courts presented a two-day conference titled, “Leave No One Behind: Veterans in the Criminal Justice System,” in support of the WI-VIP.
The event brought together various parts of the criminal justice system, judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors, corrections staff and law enforcement to help them learn to identify veterans as they come into the criminal justice system, be aware of special needs that may be common to veterans, and work with veterans so they can successfully move through the system and get the services they need to avoid further contact.
The conference, presented at no charge, took place at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in Madison with a simultaneous video link to broadcast the presentations to the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee and the Tomah Veterans Administration Medical Center.
“The conference was a big success, bringing together 155 people from all parts of the state to exchange valuable information related to veterans,” said Peter Anderson, liaison for WI-VIP in the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office. “We feel that this shared base of knowledge will help when working with veterans and contribute to the success of the veterans’ treatment courts as they develop around the state.”
The treatment courts will target nonviolent offenders whose violations stem from issues including mental illness, substance abuse, and PTSD. Instead of incarceration, they offer treatment programs and veteran-to-veteran mentoring to tackle the underlying causes of criminal behavior.
Among the conference speakers was Rock County Presiding Judge James Daley who is scheduled to start Wisconsin’s first Veterans’ Treatment Court this month in Janesville.
The June 29-30, 2009 “Leave No One Behind: Veterans in the Criminal Justice System” conference is available for viewing on WisconsinEye.
For more information and updates on WI-VIP, please contact Peter Anderson, liaison for WI-VIP in the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office, at (608) 267-0581.
Related articles:
Justice system partnerships spearheaded by State Public Defender, VA, and Lt. Governor – March 11, 2009
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