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Prevalence and Problem of Military Veterans in the Maricopa County Arrestee Population

NCJ Number
233008
Author(s)
Michael D. White, Ph.D.
Date Published
2010
Length
20 pages
Annotation
The report examines arrestee data in Arizona to evaluate the problem of military veterans involved with the criminal justice system.
Abstract
Major findings from this report include: 6.3 percent of the respondents reported being military veterans; 55.3 percent of the veterans were White, compared to 34.8 percent of the non-veterans; 92.4 percent of the veterans were male, compared to 75.5 percent of the non-veterans; and on average, veterans were older (41.7 years) compared to non-veterans (31.4 years). In addition, veterans were more likely to be high-school graduates (90.9 percent), with over 60 percent reporting post high school education. Veterans were also more likely than non-veterans to have been employed full time in the month prior to their arrest. Data for this report came from the examination of 2,102 recently booked male and female arrestees in 3 booking facilities in Maricopa County, AZ. The information was obtained from interviews conducted through the Arizona Arrestee Reporting Information Network. The objectives of the examination were to determine the prevalence of military veterans in the arrestee population in Maricopa County and to assess the differences between arrested veterans and arrested non-veterans. The results of the examination include: characteristics of the arrestee population by veteran status, characteristics of veterans' service, drug use by veteran status, offense severity by veteran status, gang involvement by veteran status, victimization by veteran status, and mental health by veteran status. The report found, that though the number (and percentage) of veterans in the jail population was relatively small, the veterans in this study suffered from a number of service-related problems and were in need of medical and psychological services, as well as substance abuse treatment. Tables, figures, and references