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Veterans from Dilkon, Show Low and Lakeside came to the grand opening of the recently established Housing Unit for Military Veterans (HUMV) at the Holbrook Detention Center on May 21.
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Navajo County Sheriff David Clouse said in his introduction, “This is one of my projects to reduce the recidivism rate in Navajo County and I wanted to start with the veterans. They have served our country, they have put their lives on the line and it is time we give them something.”
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Clouse said he was asked if he was going to treat incarcerated veterans different just because they are veterans. “My answer is yes. We are going to give them more privileges and help in hopes that they will not return to this facility.”
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Deputy Chief Ernie Garcia echoed Clouse’s words, when he said, “One of the components we are striving to capitalize on is to provide opportunities for the inmates to gain tools that will make them successful outside of the jail. The Sheriff has instilled in us that mission. The goal is to put ourselves out of business.”
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With an estimated 30 percent of inmates in Navajo County returning within weeks of being released, breaking the cycle will not only lower jail costs but also create more value to society.
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Individuals that are remanded to custody and are military veterans will have the opportunity to be housed in the HUMV pod.
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The pod consists of four bedrooms with toilet facilities that connect to a main room where the inmates can watch television, play games and eat their meals, which are delivered to them. Each bedroom has a set of bunk beds and a door that can be closed.
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The wall in the main room is decorated with flags from the various combat missions. Underneath the flags are a small set of book cases with books and games.
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Incarcerated veterans are also given camouflage T-shirts to wear as a way to identify their service.
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Working with local veterans affairs offices as well as local veterans organizations, military inmates will have access to a variety of services while in NCSO custody.
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The idea behind HUMV was created after Clouse and other members of his detention staff had an opportunity to tour other facilities in the state that offer these services to veterans.
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To date, Navajo County is the fourth sheriff’s office in Arizona to implement a veteran’s pod within the detention center.
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Among the officers who were instrumental in putting this together were Lieutenant Charalie Perkins and Sergeant Christopher Davis. Program coordinator and volunteer liaison Connie Adamovich was noted as the cog that makes it all work.
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While the program is still in the building phase, the NCSO detention staff is working to help the incarcerated veterans become aware of four program services that are available to every incarcerated military veteran across the country. These include Eligibility Assistance, Health Care For Re-Entry Veterans; Veteran Justice Outreach and the Department of Labor Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative.
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Garcia said, “Our job isn’t to just incarcerate, it is to provide opportunities to learn something different. It is not just about reprogramming or using your cognitive skills to better yourself. It is also about finding services that are resources while they are in jail that they can access once they leave.”
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While the main causes of incarceration among the military veterans in Navajo County is domestic violence and drugs, Clouse said that another goal is to find what triggers those reactions. “Most inmates have some sort of substance abuse related to the actions. We call it cognitive thinking, what were they thinking that made them use those specific substances.”
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Through group counseling, classes and peer-mentorship, the detention staff is hoping to make a difference, first for the veteran inmates and then for the others.
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A veteran inmate is not required to be a part of the HUMV and currently, there are no special facilities for female veterans.
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Clouse ended the ceremony, saying, “I want to thank everyone that came here today because you are not just supporting Navajo County, you are supporting those that need help and to help get our veterans out of whatever jam they may have gotten themselves in so that they can reenter into society on a successful path.”
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