Practice Innovations, Vol 11(3), Sep 2026, 242-254; doi:10.1037/pri0000301
Compared to the civilian population, veterans are at an increased risk of developing substance use and other mental health concerns. These disorders can create an elevated risk of encountering the criminal justice system. Veteran treatment courts are specialized courts that are intended to meet the specific needs of veteran offenders and can result in lesser charges or expungement. The present study used a mixed methods approach to evaluate a veteran treatment court in the southeastern region of the United States by following a cohort of 19 participants as they progressed through the program. Participants were asked about their depression, perceived procedural justice, and open-ended questions concerning their perceptions of the program. Quantitative data were analyzed using paired-samples t tests, and open-ended questions were analyzed using thematic analysis. Overall, depression scores declined across the study. There were no changes in perceived procedural justice from the beginning to the end of the study, suggesting that participants perceived both the judge and veteran treatment court supervisor positively. Upon examination of the open-ended responses, participants reported appreciation for the staff, a desire for increased staff, and increased treatment individuation. The present study hopes to provide a framework for future researchers aiming to explore the impact of these types of programs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)