Co-Signers Highlight Veterans’ Higher Risk for Mental Health and Substance Use Issues, Need for Quality Health Care in the Community, and Disposition Toward Public Service
NEW YORK, NY — On Veterans’ Day, more than a dozen currently and formerly incarcerated veterans as well as veterans with loved ones in prison sent a letter to Governor Hochul, DOCCS Commissioner Martuscello, NY Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie urging enactment of the Fair & Timely Parole and Elder Parole bills. The letter highlights that New York State is home to approximately 580,000 veterans, the fifth largest veteran population in the country, that veterans are at a higher risk of mental health and/or substance use issues, and that after serving their country, many veterans end up incarcerated and languish in prison without adequate treatment and support for the various debilitating conditions incurred while enlisted…