The fundamental duties of a district attorney’s office as the chief law enforcement agency in the county is the prosecution of criminal cases and the pursuit of justice for the victims of these crimes. In his first term as District Attorney, Anthony Gulluni has made significant progress on his four key initiatives, creating opportunities to impact crime prevention and develop more strategic prosecution.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) occurs in as many as 20 percent of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Unemployment among veterans who have served since 2001 is substantially higher than for non-veterans. In addition, nearly a fifth of the homeless population in the United States are veterans. Most unfortunate of all, veterans make up 20 percent of all suicides. These mental health issues, coupled with the difficulty of reintegration into civilian life, can lead to substance abuse and criminal behavior. It is at this juncture in veterans’ lives when we in law enforcement must translate our respect and honor into action.
Accordingly, I propose that the criminal justice system in Hampden County develop a system to provide veterans who become court-involved the specialized support that they need and deserve. With 2.5 million veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars nationwide – and thousands more returning home this year – there is an urgent need for a veterans’ treatment court here in Hampden County. While justice is the overall mission of the District Attorney, compassion must also play a role.
As District Attorney, I would partner with the Soldier On program, the Trial Court, and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department to establish this specialized veterans’ treatment court. There, representatives of the court will have the ability to identify veterans who might benefit from focused court attention, mentoring and peer support, as well as alternatives to traditional sentencing – if appropriate – given the unique issues presented by each case. By crafting calculated dispositions for certain cases, we can provide veterans with the necessary treatment and programming to promote rehabilitation and assist them in leading healthy and productive lives.
With a specialized court, the system can ensure that justice is dispensed with fairness, but also with compassion and consideration for the unique contributions that veterans make, and the unique problems that often accompany those contributions. Where possible, it is incumbent upon the District Attorney and the justice system as a whole to make earnest efforts toward saving the lives of those who have been willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for us.