‘I believe that the UK authorities could be in PTSD denial’
He describes how the US does it better
PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) A psychological and physical condition caused by frightening or distressing events. It occurs in up to thirty per cent of people who experience traumatic events. (from the NHS Choices website) Recently I travelled to the United States as part of a delegation sponsored by the Howard League for Penal Reform. We are currently researching the issue of why so many ex-servicemen and women end up in prison. What can be done to lessen the trend and what can be initiated to assist those already in the prison system? I was intrigued to read on our itinerary that we were to visit a veterans’ court, which is run by a charismatic and hugely influential district judge, Robert T Russell. I witnessed firsthand the workings of this court to which offenders were referred by other courts. I spent a half day witnessing his court.
