Special Care
2009-09-26 20:12:35 UTC
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1216015/More-British-soldiers-prison-serving-Afghanistan-shock-study-finds.html
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"...........more British personnel who served in the Falklands
conflict have since committed suicide than were killed in the war
itself - around 270 compared to 255 combat deaths."
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20,000 neglected ex-servicemen are either in jail or on probation
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 12:58 AM on 26th September 2009
The neglect of ex-servicemen was branded a 'disgrace' yesterday as it
was revealed that 20,000 are in prison or on probation in England and
Wales.
The shocking figures compiled by probation staff show that one in ten
prisoners used to be in the armed forces - up by almost a third in
five years.
Critics claimed the findings were proof that vast numbers of troops
who risk their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan are facing severe
problems when they return to civilian life.
Neglected: British troops in Helmand Province earlier this year.
Shocking figures show nearly one in 10 prisoners in England are
veterans
The National Association of Probation Officers (Napo) described
'overwhelming evidence' that ex-servicemen do not get the specialist
help they need, with thousands who suffer from post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD) struggling as their family and work lives collapse.
The Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Justice have no official data
on the numbers of military veterans caught up in the criminal justice
system.
But a survey by Napo estimated that 12,000 are under supervision of
probation officers, with a further 8,500 behind bars in England and
Wales. The total of more than 20,000 is more than twice the number
currently serving in Afghanistan.
Domestic violence is by far the most common conviction, accounting for
one in three cases, while other violent assaults account for around
one in five.
A quarter of veterans report suffering from PTSD although many were
not officially diagnosed.
Others report depression and behavioural problems. The figures will
add to concerns that the Government is failing to uphold the
principles of the Military Covenant by offering troops the best
possible health and welfare support in recognition of the sacrifices
they are called upon to make.
Psychologically damaged military veterans often struggle for years
with crippling symptoms including flashbacks, nightmares, depression
and anxiety attacks, mood swings and difficulties in relating to
family and friends.
This is highlighted by the fact that more British personnel who served
in the Falklands conflict have since committed suicide than were
killed in the war itself - around 270 compared to 255 combat
deaths.
Napo called for a system to identify military veterans caught up in
the criminal justice system to ensure they receive appropriate
counselling, and a new drive by the Ministry of Defence to tackle
chronic alcohol abuse and domestic violence.
Assistant general secretary Harry Fletcher said: 'There is
overwhelming evidence that support is not available of sufficient
calibre when soldiers leave the service.
'There must be a duty of care to offer proper support, advice and
counselling to soldiers, when they are putting their lives on the
line.
'At the moment many seem to cope by using alcohol and drugs, which
leads them to depression, violence and offending.'
A spokesman for the MoD said: 'The vast majority of personnel who
leave the services make a successful return to civilian life.
'A small minority can face serious difficulties and we provide a wide
range of support before, during and after leaving the services.'
The Ministry said it had a 'robust programme' to tackle alcohol abuse
within the services, as well as rigorous drug testing.
Gulf war veteran traumatised by combat in Iraq is forced to live on
the streetsA Gulf war veteran who was so traumatised by serving in the
Middle East he went AWOL and later split from his wife has been forced
to sleep rough on the streets.
Private Rickey Burnham first served in Iraq at the age of just 19
after he was inspired to join the Army by his stepfather, who served
in the TA.
But the stress of losing fellow soldiers, being under constant attack
and being forced to live in a ditch for extended periods has left him
with severe mental health problems.
Distress: Private Rickey Burnham served in the Gulf War, but is now
living rough after suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome
In October 2006, Private Burnham, now 25, became so distressed he fled
from his unit.
He was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and after his
marriage broke up he moved back to his parents' home near Lewes, West
Sussex.
But his mother and stepfather are now unable to cope with his anxiety,
distress and depression and he has had to leave their home.
He has been forced to sleep in doorways and at Lewes train station
because Lewes District Council will not accept that he is homeless.
Private Burnham's GP has written a letter to the council, explaining
that a single night on the streets could have serious detrimental
effects on his mental health.
Describing his service in Iraq with the 13th Air Assault regiment,
Private Burnham said: 'We were digging a hole in the ground and that's
where we stayed for three months. We were under constant threat.
'We would go out through the villages the Americans had cleared before
and there were bodies by the side of the road and bits of people lying
there.
'One of the worst things for me was the smell. You would be driving
through villages where people were dead and the buildings were
crumbling around them.'
After a five month tour of duty he returned home, before he was sent
to Germany in November 2005. There, his experiences overwhelmed him
and he went AWOL from his unit.
He said: 'Everything came to a head in Germany. I couldn't really tell
anyone. So I just kept harbouring it.'
After returning to Glasgow, where his wife was living, his
deteriorating mental health led to the breakdown of their marriage.
His mother and stepfather took him in at their home in East
Chiltington, near Lewes, but last week asked him to leave.
Private Burnham said: 'It messes with my head and I forget to take my
medication. I don't know what day of the week it is or what's going on
around me.
'Things were bad with my parents as soon as I went back home, but they
had been so proud of me serving, that they really tried.
'They had to force me to get out of bed and take my medication.
'I went to see the council homelessness officer but they said I didn't
have grounds for saying I was homeless. I felt like they were laughing
behind my back.'
It comes after figures revealed by the probation officers' union Napo
shows some 8,500 former soldiers are currently in prison in England
and Wales.
Another 12,000 have criminal convictions and are on the books of the
Probation Service.
A spokesman for Lewes District Council said Private Burnham had failed
to turn up for appointments when he had made previous homelessness
applications during the time he was living with his wife, after they
split up and while he was living at his parents.
He said: 'Over the past year we have offered him action but for
various reasons he hasn't taken that action.
'Each of those times greater affects his chances. Now technically he
has made himself homeless.
'We are yet to see the letter from his GP in writing. And we still
can't prove that he has a local link and that we are obliged to help
him.
'If we don't have evidence he is a local person we don't have to help
him.'
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Defence said: 'The MoD takes the
mental health of our personnel extremely seriously and extensive
prevention and treatment measures are in place both on operations and
in the UK.
'Mental health professionals provide expert assessment and treatment
and the new peer-group monitoring scheme encourages personnel to talk
about concerns, reducing any stigma associated with seeking help.
'The MoD is also working with the NHS on community mental health
pilots across the UK, tailored specifically for veterans and we have
expanded the Medical Assessment Programme at St Thomas' Hospital in
London and have set up the Reservists Mental Health Programme for
those who have deployed since 2003.'
Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1216015/More-British-soldiers-prison-serving-Afghanistan-shock-study-finds.html#ixzz0SFGZgHId
=====
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"...........more British personnel who served in the Falklands
conflict have since committed suicide than were killed in the war
itself - around 270 compared to 255 combat deaths."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
20,000 neglected ex-servicemen are either in jail or on probation
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 12:58 AM on 26th September 2009
The neglect of ex-servicemen was branded a 'disgrace' yesterday as it
was revealed that 20,000 are in prison or on probation in England and
Wales.
The shocking figures compiled by probation staff show that one in ten
prisoners used to be in the armed forces - up by almost a third in
five years.
Critics claimed the findings were proof that vast numbers of troops
who risk their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan are facing severe
problems when they return to civilian life.
Neglected: British troops in Helmand Province earlier this year.
Shocking figures show nearly one in 10 prisoners in England are
veterans
The National Association of Probation Officers (Napo) described
'overwhelming evidence' that ex-servicemen do not get the specialist
help they need, with thousands who suffer from post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD) struggling as their family and work lives collapse.
The Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Justice have no official data
on the numbers of military veterans caught up in the criminal justice
system.
But a survey by Napo estimated that 12,000 are under supervision of
probation officers, with a further 8,500 behind bars in England and
Wales. The total of more than 20,000 is more than twice the number
currently serving in Afghanistan.
Domestic violence is by far the most common conviction, accounting for
one in three cases, while other violent assaults account for around
one in five.
A quarter of veterans report suffering from PTSD although many were
not officially diagnosed.
Others report depression and behavioural problems. The figures will
add to concerns that the Government is failing to uphold the
principles of the Military Covenant by offering troops the best
possible health and welfare support in recognition of the sacrifices
they are called upon to make.
Psychologically damaged military veterans often struggle for years
with crippling symptoms including flashbacks, nightmares, depression
and anxiety attacks, mood swings and difficulties in relating to
family and friends.
This is highlighted by the fact that more British personnel who served
in the Falklands conflict have since committed suicide than were
killed in the war itself - around 270 compared to 255 combat
deaths.
Napo called for a system to identify military veterans caught up in
the criminal justice system to ensure they receive appropriate
counselling, and a new drive by the Ministry of Defence to tackle
chronic alcohol abuse and domestic violence.
Assistant general secretary Harry Fletcher said: 'There is
overwhelming evidence that support is not available of sufficient
calibre when soldiers leave the service.
'There must be a duty of care to offer proper support, advice and
counselling to soldiers, when they are putting their lives on the
line.
'At the moment many seem to cope by using alcohol and drugs, which
leads them to depression, violence and offending.'
A spokesman for the MoD said: 'The vast majority of personnel who
leave the services make a successful return to civilian life.
'A small minority can face serious difficulties and we provide a wide
range of support before, during and after leaving the services.'
The Ministry said it had a 'robust programme' to tackle alcohol abuse
within the services, as well as rigorous drug testing.
Gulf war veteran traumatised by combat in Iraq is forced to live on
the streetsA Gulf war veteran who was so traumatised by serving in the
Middle East he went AWOL and later split from his wife has been forced
to sleep rough on the streets.
Private Rickey Burnham first served in Iraq at the age of just 19
after he was inspired to join the Army by his stepfather, who served
in the TA.
But the stress of losing fellow soldiers, being under constant attack
and being forced to live in a ditch for extended periods has left him
with severe mental health problems.
Distress: Private Rickey Burnham served in the Gulf War, but is now
living rough after suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome
In October 2006, Private Burnham, now 25, became so distressed he fled
from his unit.
He was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and after his
marriage broke up he moved back to his parents' home near Lewes, West
Sussex.
But his mother and stepfather are now unable to cope with his anxiety,
distress and depression and he has had to leave their home.
He has been forced to sleep in doorways and at Lewes train station
because Lewes District Council will not accept that he is homeless.
Private Burnham's GP has written a letter to the council, explaining
that a single night on the streets could have serious detrimental
effects on his mental health.
Describing his service in Iraq with the 13th Air Assault regiment,
Private Burnham said: 'We were digging a hole in the ground and that's
where we stayed for three months. We were under constant threat.
'We would go out through the villages the Americans had cleared before
and there were bodies by the side of the road and bits of people lying
there.
'One of the worst things for me was the smell. You would be driving
through villages where people were dead and the buildings were
crumbling around them.'
After a five month tour of duty he returned home, before he was sent
to Germany in November 2005. There, his experiences overwhelmed him
and he went AWOL from his unit.
He said: 'Everything came to a head in Germany. I couldn't really tell
anyone. So I just kept harbouring it.'
After returning to Glasgow, where his wife was living, his
deteriorating mental health led to the breakdown of their marriage.
His mother and stepfather took him in at their home in East
Chiltington, near Lewes, but last week asked him to leave.
Private Burnham said: 'It messes with my head and I forget to take my
medication. I don't know what day of the week it is or what's going on
around me.
'Things were bad with my parents as soon as I went back home, but they
had been so proud of me serving, that they really tried.
'They had to force me to get out of bed and take my medication.
'I went to see the council homelessness officer but they said I didn't
have grounds for saying I was homeless. I felt like they were laughing
behind my back.'
It comes after figures revealed by the probation officers' union Napo
shows some 8,500 former soldiers are currently in prison in England
and Wales.
Another 12,000 have criminal convictions and are on the books of the
Probation Service.
A spokesman for Lewes District Council said Private Burnham had failed
to turn up for appointments when he had made previous homelessness
applications during the time he was living with his wife, after they
split up and while he was living at his parents.
He said: 'Over the past year we have offered him action but for
various reasons he hasn't taken that action.
'Each of those times greater affects his chances. Now technically he
has made himself homeless.
'We are yet to see the letter from his GP in writing. And we still
can't prove that he has a local link and that we are obliged to help
him.
'If we don't have evidence he is a local person we don't have to help
him.'
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Defence said: 'The MoD takes the
mental health of our personnel extremely seriously and extensive
prevention and treatment measures are in place both on operations and
in the UK.
'Mental health professionals provide expert assessment and treatment
and the new peer-group monitoring scheme encourages personnel to talk
about concerns, reducing any stigma associated with seeking help.
'The MoD is also working with the NHS on community mental health
pilots across the UK, tailored specifically for veterans and we have
expanded the Medical Assessment Programme at St Thomas' Hospital in
London and have set up the Reservists Mental Health Programme for
those who have deployed since 2003.'
Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1216015/More-British-soldiers-prison-serving-Afghanistan-shock-study-finds.html#ixzz0SFGZgHId
=====