Jail Opens Veterans Unit
Cuyahoga County leaders, including Judge Andrew Santoli, unveiled a new housing unit on Friday, November 14, in the County Jail for veterans who are facing criminal charges.
The specialized pod of cells caters to the needs of veterans facing criminal charges. Staff can address mental health challenges and trauma related to service through counseling, peer support, and re-entry tools.
"I know firsthand and my team knows firsthand how important it is for veteran-only spaces for their rehabilitation and their treatment," said Cuyahoga County Veterans Treatment Court Judge Andrew Santoli. "We know that veterans do better when they're surrounded by other veterans."
The mission driving the Veterans Treatment Court is to successfully rehabilitate veterans by diverting them from the traditional criminal justice system, and providing them with the unique tools they need to lead a more productive and law-abiding life.
The Cuyahoga County Veterans Treatment Court is the largest in the state and among the largest in the country.
Veterans make up nearly 8% of the state prison population and about 6% of the federal prison population, according to data from the Justice Department. Those with post-traumatic stress disorder are 61% more likely to be criminally involved.
The jail’s previous veterans' pod closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.