As military veterans return home and reintegrate into civilian life, underlying mental illness issues can spill over into altercations with the law.

“While most veterans readjust and transition back without problems, some do not,” U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman said.

The Republican from Aurora recently introduced legislation along with Arizona Republican U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake that would build on a Department of Veterans Affairs program that gives military veterans who run into the law a second chance in veterans treatment court.

The VA’s Veteran Justice Outreach program works with local jurisdictions to coordinate VA services for offenders with mental health appointments or substance abuse programs in lieu of incarcerating veterans.

“Many jurisdictions have now established veterans’ courts specifically designed to help rehabilitate these veterans so that they can once again become as productive as when they were serving our country in the military,” Coffman said.

The legislation would authorize $5.5 million each year for the next 10 years for the VA secretary to approve the hire of 50 additional veteran justice outreach specialists who would work in the treatment courts. The secretary would be required to look for cost savings to offset the extra cost.

“Veterans who have served our nation should not have to wonder if their country is standing at their side during their time of need,” Coffman said.

Nathan Viton, a veteran justice outreach coordinator with the Denver VA hospital, said the program gets veterans the treatment they need and often specialists in the program are able to intervene before veterans develop a criminal record.

Though VJO is a national program under the VA, regions are able to mold it to fit the needs of their community. And with the reach of the VA, VJO specialists are able to connect veterans with a variety of treatment options.

“Veteran sometimes don’t realize they have PTSD and need help, or realize how it is affecting their family,” Viton said.

Viton said veterans treatment court consists of a 18-to-24 month commitment, which includes required court dates and appropriate treatment sessions.

“It’s really important for the VA to be out there, pulling veterans out of the justice system and into the health care system,” Viton said.

Coffman pointed to a 73 percent success rate within the 18th Judicial Veterans Treatment Court – including Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln Counties – which Viton said is better than your traditional drug court. Veterans who have both graduated and been terminated have not seen any new criminal charges and no veterans have reoffended since termination, Coffman said.

Viton said the program has been working on educating police on dealing with veterans who are suffering with PTSD or mental illness.

The additional VJO staff proposed under the legislation could allow the Denver VA to expand its justice outreach, which visits jails and educates veterans on their options through treatment court and the VA, Viton said.