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Addressing the group

Brother in Arms:

The Justice-Involved Veteran

Heide laseR

For justice-involved veterans, being housed in general population can be maddening. No
structure. Living with people who lack self-discipline. Constantly watching over your shoulder
for threatening situations. Open showers and toilets that do not allow for privacy.
Veterans are crammed into a small space with rowdy civilians who do not understand the jour-
ney that brought the veterans to this place. Neither does the general population understand that
loud noises, like slamming dominos on a steel table, can trigger demons. Furthermore, arguments
and loud conversations take the veteran’s mind to a place he was trying to numb with drugs or
alcohol in the free world.

18 | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2021 AMERICANJails