Ex-Servicemen: Crime

Mr. Jim Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department plans to take to seek to reduce the number of armed forces veterans in the criminal justice system.

Mr. Kevan Jones
The MOD’s comprehensive resettlement package provides graduated re-training and advice on future careers, financial planning, access to housing and other benefits. For those considered vulnerable to social exclusion, we work closely with ex-service and wider charitable organisations, Communities and Local Government and the Devolved Administrations to reduce the potential of turning to crime by helping them finding a home, access appropriate health care and finding work.

If a veteran of the armed forces is imprisoned, the Veterans Prison In-Reach Group aims to raise awareness among the ex-service prison population of the help and support available to them and their immediate families while they serve their sentence and as they prepare for release. As well as the Ministry of Defence, the Group consists of the National Offender Management Service in the Ministry of Justice, The Royal British Legion, SSAFA Forces Help, Combat Stress, the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency, the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders, Action for Prisoners’ Families, Her Majesty’s Prison representatives, and representatives from the Devolved Administrations. Together, they work to explore new ways of better assisting veterans in prison, with the overall aim of reducing re-offending.