Thanks to a new housing unit within the Gwinnett County Jail, inmates who are veterans now have additional resources to help them while incarcerated.
The 70-bed unit, called "The Barracks", is focused on providing the type of support crucial to helping inmates who once served our country, make a successful transition back into the community upon release.
According to Deputy Shannon Volkodav, Spokeswoman for the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office, this project was inspired by recognizing a need to establish additional resources for former military serving out sentences.
"The Barracks will maintain a regimented schedule which includes daily room inspections and military-style physical fitness training," she said. "Military veterans have previously demonstrated their ability to lead a life of discipline, respect authority and follow orders, which we believe will be instrumental to the program’s success."
The Barracks will also offer classes to address the trauma associated with military service, drug abuse and behavioral therapy.
Gwinnett County Sheriff Butch Conway believes that upon completion of this program, veterans who served time within The Barracks, will have a better chance of staying on the right path.
“Our goal is to help reconnect these inmates to the time in their lives when they made better decisions, respected authority and obeyed the law," Conway said. "This program has the potential to greatly influence these inmates and help them lead more productive lives when they’re released from custody."
According to statistics from the United States Department of Veteran Affairs, "research has shown that more than half of justice-involved Veterans have either mental health problems—namely PTSD, depression, or high anxiety—or substance-abuse disorders, most notably alcohol or cocaine addiction."
But with the implementation of The Barracks, and the deep-seated passion of the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office to help make a difference in veterans' lives, Volkodav is confident the program can help them make a successful transition back into society.
"Our efforts stem from a deep appreciation for the service these highly trained professionals provided our nation and a desire to provide them employment as they transition to civilian life," she said.
A grand opening ceremony of The Barracks was held on Tuesday, November 19th.
