Open AccessMoving Upstream: Why Rehabilitative Justice in Military Discharge Proceedings Serves a Public Health Interest
Author(s) -
Evan R. Seamone,
James McGuire,
Shoba Sreenivasan,
Sean Clark,
Daniel E. Smee,
Daniel Dow
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2014.302117
Subject(s) - upstream (networking) , public health , punitive damages , economic justice , mental health , criminology , criminal justice , retributive justice , downstream (manufacturing) , political science , prison , public administration , psychology , medicine , psychiatry , law , business , nursing , engineering , telecommunications , marketing
The cultural divide between US military and civilian institutions amplifies the consequences of military discharge status on public health and criminal justice systems in a manner that is invisible to a larger society. Prompt removal of problematic wounded warriors through retributive justice is more expedient than lengthy mental health treatment. Administrative and punitive discharges usually preclude Department of Veterans Affairs eligibility, posing a heavy public health burden. Moving upstream--through military rehabilitative justice addressing military offenders' mental health needs before discharge--will reduce the downstream consequences of civilian maladjustment and intergenerational transmission of mental illness. The public health community can play an illuminating role by gathering data about community effect and by advocating for policy change at Department of Veterans Affairs and community levels.