Rep. Horn Introduces Bipartisan Veterans Justice Bill

Press Release

On Wednesday, Congresswoman Kendra Horn (OK-5) introduced a bipartisan bill (H.R. 5973) to better connect justice-involved veterans to critical services that counter recidivism. Approximately 200,000 justice-involved veterans are incarcerated in the United States, but most were not identified as they entered the criminal justice system or referred to a Veteran Treatment Court. Congresswoman Horn's legislation creates a pilot program for states to identify veterans who come in contact with law enforcement and direct them towards veterans' services that assist with reintegration and prevent re-entry into the criminal justice system.

"As soldiers return home from deployment, many suffer physical and mental health issues including trauma, addiction, and combat stress linked to their wartime experiences," said Congresswoman Horn. "They did their part serving our country, now we must do ours. We have powerful tools for helping veterans who enter our criminal justice system, but too often justice-involved veterans are not identified or directed towards programs that can help. Today's bipartisan legislation addresses the challenge of identifying veterans entering our criminal justice system in order to ensure they receive the assistance they have earned through their service. Supporting our veterans during their transition and re-integration isn't a partisan issue, it is an obligation we must work together to meet."

Original cosponsors of H.R. 5973 include Reps. Tom Cole (OK-4), Dan Crenshaw (TX-2), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Ed Case (HI-1), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-5), Jason Crow (CO-6), Stephanie Murphy (FL-7), Eleanor Norton Holmes (DC), and Rick Larsen (WA-2).

The Department of Veterans Affairs reports that almost nine percent of veterans and servicemembers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have been arrested since returning home. Over half of justice-involved veterans have either a mental health issue--for example, PTSD or depression--or substance abuse disorders like alcoholism or drug addiction.

Currently, the Oklahoma County Veteran's Program serves as a diversion program for veterans in the justice system. Extensive coordination between the District Attorney's office, the Public Defender's office, the Veteran Justice Outreach Office, and a number of community nonprofits has produced lower recidivism rates in Oklahoma County. Oklahoma County is on track to open a Veteran Treatment Court in 2020 to help justice-involved veterans who are at high risk and high need.