need to add title here

Coming Home: Justice for our veterans

October 14, 2012 4:00 PM

An alternative court program in Harris County, Texas, seeks to rehabilitate veterans who turn to crime for the first time. Scott Pelley reports.

Coming Home: Justice for our veterans
Add a Comment See all 39 Comments
by peacefulfreedomfighter October 17, 2012 9:55 AM EDT
Thank you, CBS, for airing this important show. As the founder of a charity that I'm trying to launch, Help A Vet Now, I am trying to raise awareness of the challenges that our Vets face when returning home from the tours in the Middle East. PTSD is a very serious problem, and truly, you do NOT know - it's the Walking Wounded we need to worry about. All Vets need to be cared for properly, but these wounded warriors need our protection!
Reply to this comment
by CSMRETIRED October 16, 2012 11:07 AM EDT
Thanks CBS for the great story. I am currently a Probation Officer in a Veterans Court. What we have experienced is many Combat Veterans are receiving Other Than Honorable or Bad Conduct Discharges which prevents them from Veterans Benefits. After our investigation, we found they were suffering from PTSD,TBI, Depresion etc., because of their Combat experience but were not provided the proper care while on Active Duty. The Service member leaders, seemed not be interested in helping or caring for their service memeber. They may have be told to suck it up and perform their duty. This is an area that the Department of Defense and Veterans Administration system need to look into because so many Combat Service Members are not eligible for any VA services or educational benefit due to their type of discharge.I currently have several service memebrs that received Other than Honorable and Bad Conduct Discharge that suffer from service connected PTSD. TBI, depression etc. Their discharges were for going AWOL for a long period of time, drug use while on active duty status, failure to follow orders, domestic assault, DUI etc. The Yale Law School conducted a study on wrongful discharges which is interesting. It would be recommended CBS conduct an investigation into Combat Service Memeber with Other Than Honorble and Bad Conduct Discharges and the cause of the discharges. Again thank you CBS for the Veteran Court segment.
Reply to this comment
by citizenusa-2009 October 16, 2012 10:44 AM EDT
OMG! Does anyone know how our Vets are treated when they come home?? It's absolutely horrifying!

The VA has absolutely no conscience or accountability. OF COURSE, these Vets are going to be desperate because they are made to wait and wait and wait for any and all benefits PROMISED to them when they sign up. While patiently waiting to be "approved by the ratings board", they are starving and sick. The whole "take care our our Vets" promise is nothing but a HUSTLE.
Reply to this comment
by ammo17 October 16, 2012 9:23 AM EDT
great story cbs,as a vietnam era navy vet you have to have to feel for this veterans.what i would like to see some t.v. network to look into why hundreds of thousands of vetetrans are being held out of the benefits they are entitled too for their service to this country.our congress gave the veterans administration a ton of money to move their pension and compensation cases along at a faster pace.so far the veterans administration has spent $6.1 million dollars for parties for the people in the v.a.while veterans have to wait years for their benenfits.why?
Reply to this comment
by Mick_from_Amsterdam October 16, 2012 8:56 AM EDT
The tragedy is that if Judge Carter's enlightened and compassionate methods and policies were embraced in our courts nationwide (not very likely in a country that politicizes everything)

Think of the thousands of vets already irretrievably lost to the prison system...

And by "lost" I mean...if you think these brave, broken men were hostile, distrustful and prone to violent rage BEFORE they were incarcerated...wait until those who survive inside are eventually released...
Reply to this comment
by Mick_from_Amsterdam October 16, 2012 8:13 AM EDT
A First Sergeant of Marines...looking at a 22 year prison sentence brought on by survivor's guilt...

UNTHINKABLE...but more and more commonplace in America today.

These men gave EVERYTHING to the job foisted on them by swaggering politicians who had always been careful to never walk in harm's way themselves...and then these men gave even more...more than anyone can afford to squander on an oil deal gone wrong

To some...since these returning vets have served their purpose...and are now damaged goods, clogging up our overburdened court and penal system...killers rendered far too dangerous by their training, and especially by their horrific experiences to be allowed to walk among "decent folk"

I'm sure that in some circles, having them all humanely put down has already been discussed...or soon will be...if they can only figure out a way to justify it as the, "patriotic, fiscally sound solution to all this expensive Lib whining......much of it from vets who hardly suffered any serious wounds at all"

Jay Gould (1836-1892) revered today as the patron saint of robber barons, once famously boasted that, "He could hire half of the working class to kill the other half"

Perhaps Gould's disciples of today have come up with some variations on his evil theme...

Like cutting away the protective net that millions of the elderly and disabled vets of ALL categories depend on to merely survive...

Thereby freeing up billions...not to lower the national debt they continually shout about while furtively increasingit...but to pour more into defense spending to be ready to fight the wars they're going to start in the future...

Sounds like a plan...
Reply to this comment
by mattrick78 October 15, 2012 6:51 PM EDT
George W. Bush = worst president in U.S. History.
Reply to this comment
by ElaineUO October 15, 2012 2:17 PM EDT
The EU got the Nobel Peace prize?! How about giving it to *this judge*! Great story. Very inspiring.
Reply to this comment
by soldiergirl2 October 15, 2012 1:26 PM EDT
Wonderful story! My brother served two tours and is having trouble adjusting to civilian life. We saw the movie "Least Among Saints" over the weekend which focuses on the struggle of a returning veteran. After the movie, my brother and I started talking for the first time about his problems - isolation, avoidance and nightmares. I was so grateful that he was finally talking. Then we happened to watch 60 Minutes. We weren't aware there was going to be a "coming home" segment. My brother and I cried together for the second time in two days. He is now ready to explore his therapy options. Please share this 60 Minutes segment with other "lost" veterans and/or their families.
Reply to this comment
by kathleengilesforryan October 15, 2012 12:50 PM EDT
I am the mother of a veteran who returned from Iraq ,he has been in a spiral downhill ! I love him and hurt for him Daily, A path of self destruction . He now sits in the Delaware court system awaiting his sentence for burglary and possession!! He has never been in trouble prior to this, he has tried to get help and therapy to no avail. He isolates himself he became confused and began to self medicate, Not able to keep a job,or his marriage together. I do not know where to turn or what to do.. I love my son
Reply to this comment
See all 39 Comments
Recent Segments

60MinutesOverTime

60 Minutes Overtime is a weekly web show that begins where the weekly television broadcast ends

  • 48 Hours iPad App

    Big changes for the 2012-2013 season! Watch the current week's episode for FREE up to a week after it airs or subscribe for access to all shows, classic episodes and more!