Hillsborough Sheriff Opens Housing For Inmates Who Are Veterans

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL -- A new housing unit for U.S. military veterans incarcerated in Hillsborough County is focusing on helping vets get back on their feet.

On Tuesday, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister launched the new Veterans Resurgence Program at the Falkenburg Road Jail intended to provide incarcerated U.S. military veterans with an environment that will help them recover their dignity.

"On average, we house more than 3,000 people within our detention facilities in Hillsborough County, and at any given time, more than 60 of these individuals have a military service background," said Chronister.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office will verify each inmate's military status and benefits eligibility through the Veterans Affairs SQUARES computer program. Verified inmates who decide to participate in the Veterans Resurgence Program will receive life skills training, such as personal money management, finding employment and conflict resolution, among other topics.

Every morning, Monday through Friday, the participants will engage in one hour of exercise or meditation. The veterans will also have a mental health and substance abuse risk/needs assessment, as well as group and individual therapy sessions.

Mental health staff from NaphCare and the University of South Florida master's of social work program will provide the inmates with a structured eight-week group therapy session on subjects like managing anger and stress, coping with mood and anxiety issues, transition skills and planning, medical-related topics, healing and recovering from trauma.

Each participant will be given a self-inventory assessment at the beginning and end of the eight-week program, as well as a periodic behavioral functioning scale to assess for overall improvement and benefit.

Veterans Justice Outreach specialists from the Veterans Administration will assist with benefits for those with an honorable discharge and community organizations such as the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay will help the veterans find their way back into society.

"We are giving these veterans that ended up in our jails an opportunity to feel proud again. The partnerships we have established will give them the chance to reinvent themselves and get the help they need," said Chronister. "This is how we thank them for their service."

Among those volunteering for the program is Johnny Garcia, 49. He was arrested June 26 for dealing in stolen property, grand theft and obtaining money from a secondhand dealer. This is his third arrest in Hillsborough County. The first two were for battery domestic violence.

Garcia served during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm from 1990 to 1994.

"I've made some poor choices," said Garcia. "Being approached with the veterans program shows some light at the end of the tunnel. I would like to have the opportunity to make a change so I don't make poor choices in the future. This will be the absolutely last time I see the inside of this jail."