Criminal Justice System

SSAFA: Veterans in the Criminal Justice System (Source: SSAFA,2020)

Who we are:

The SSAFA VCJS Support Service is committed to giving veterans and their families a service that delivers. Our aim is to ensure that we offer a recognised and consistent service nationwide whilst meeting our five strategic objectives: effective support, awareness and understanding, sustainable resource, and collaborative working.

What we do:

Our network of in-reach volunteers provides advice and information – not only to those in custody, on probation or in the community, but also to their families. The support offered is non-judgemental and holistic and includes:

  • Practical and emotional support
  • Signposting to services
  • Financial support
  • Family support
  • Travel assistance
  • Accommodation

Tel: VCJS service team on 020 7463 9337
Email: VCJS.SupportServices@ssafa.org.uk
Contact form weblink: https://www.ssafa.org.uk/contact-us/

CARE AFTER COMBAT (Source: CAC,2020)

Project Phoenix – Veterans in the Criminal Justice System

‘Phoenix’ is the name of Care after Combat’s project to reduce the number of re-offending veterans released from prison. During 2014, the Government took a review of Veterans within the Criminal Justice System published in December 2014.

Veterans form the largest occupational group in prison. Project Phoenix was designed to specifically respond to the issues raised in the report.

Project Phoenix (Phoenix) has been operational since May 2015. Mentorship is introduced during the final 18-months of sentencing and continues following release, the latter, for a period of no less than 12-months. Inclusion criteria are Veterans in the final 18-months of sentencing.

All Care after Combat mentors have undergone formal training, initially validated by the National Offenders and Management Service (NOMS) and upgraded quarterly as part of their ongoing professional development.

The results of the current mentoring intervention are remarkable with a significant reduction of re-offending in the sample group.

The key benefit of Project Phoenix is, of course, to the lives of the Veterans and their families, but there are also significant benefits to wider society, not least the financial savings of diverting them away from the criminal justice system.

Advice Helpline: 0300 343 0258
South Wales Office: Tel: 07794 201 032
Wrexham Office: Tel: 0300 343 0255
Webpage link: http://www.careaftercombat.org/

PROJECT NOVA (Source: RFEA,2020)

Supporting veterans who have been arrested or are at risk of arrest. Operating in four areas of the UK. The East of England, North West, North East and South Yorkshire and Humberside.
Project Nova supports Veterans who have been arrested and enter Police Custody. It also supports Veterans who are referred by specialist Police teams, or other statutory organisations, because they are at risk of arrest. As of 2019 it also supports Merchant Navy who have worked with HM Forces on Operational deployment Project Nova is operated by staff with a blend of experience from the armed forces, Criminal Justice System and charities. Our staff are skilled at engaging with veterans to understand their experience of military service, their lives before they joined the armed forces, and their transition back to civilian life. Project Nova undertakes a needs assessment for each individual and puts in place specialist support from a network of military charities and other organisations.

We then keep in touch ensuring that the veterans we support have an ongoing
connection, checking in and resolving issues when they occur Project Nova works in partnership with organisations who refer veterans to our service:

  • Norfolk and Suffolk Police & Crime Commissioner
  • Northumbria Police & Crime Commissioner
  • Durham Police
  • Cleveland Police
  • Greater Manchester Police
  • Cheshire Police
  • Lancashire Police
  • South Yorkshire Police
  • Humberside Police
  • NHS Liaison and Diversion Teams
  • Cumbria Police
  • Essex Police
  • Bedfordshire Police
  • Cambridgeshire Police
  • Hertfordshire Police
  • Humberside, Lincolnshire & North Yorkshire Community Rehabilitation Company
  • North Yorkshire Police
  • Devon and Cornwall Police
  • Merseyside Police
  • Northamptonshire Police

Project Nova may be contacted on:

Freephone 0800 917 7299 or by email at info.nst@projectnova.org.uk

Secure criminal justice email address for Police, Probation Service and Liaison and Diversion use only: info.nst@rfea.cjsm.net