The RHF Veterans Forum

Sandy · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 2:59 pm Post subject: Veterans in Prison Association

My name is Dave Wilson –formally 2nd Bn Scots Guards, I am a serving Prison Officer at HMP Isle of Wight (Parkhurst)
We at Parkhurst have set up a group called VIPA (Veterans in Prison Association) this association has been set up to support our Veterans who have for one reason or another found themselves in prison, the association is currently being run on a voluntary basis by ex forces staff to help offer support & guidance.
We have contact with agencies such as Veterans Welfare, SPVA,RBL, Combat Stress to help with ongoing & underlying issues.
We at HMP Isle of Wight would like to keep all Veterans in touch with their Regimental Associations during their sentence & on release.
We have rooms allocated for group meetings for the Veterans were they can meet & talk through their problems & if deemed appropriate put them in contact with specialist agencies to help with ongoing mental health problems.
Would you be so kind as to donate a Regimental Placard for our VIPA room & any other information regarding your regiment & or associations.
If you wish to look at our web site (Google) Veterans in Prison Association, this will help to explain what we are hoping to achieve.
We met Simon Weston OBE on Monday 20th July & he has agreed to be the Patron of VIPA
Additional information
It has been estimated that the Prison service has approximately 8500 veterans currently serving custodial sentences, this is approximately 10% of the present prison population, there is also a suggestion that a high percentage of veterans’ currently doing sentences do not wish to make it known that they are veterans.
The majority of crimes being committed by veterans are mainly alcohol & drug related violent offences.
It has been suggested that there is a far greater number of veterans than first anticipated serving sentences in England & Wales, the numbers mentioned are as much as 24000 currently serving custodial sentences or under supervision from the Probation Service or on community penalties
It has also been mentioned that a large proportion of veterans maybe or are suffering from PTSD or other mental health problems, this has been put down to experiences & Combat trauma witnessed on active service & more the demanding theatres of war.
It has been approximated that the prison population, Supervision orders & community penalties could double or triple within the next 5 to 15 years, this has been put down to the theatres of war that have recently been taking place in likes of Afghanistan & Iraq

It is estimated that with the 8500 ex forces personnel currently in prison that the annual costs are as much as £215 million a year
Dave Wilson
F Wing
HMP Isle of Wight (Parkhurst)
Clissold Rd
Newport
Isle of Wight
Po33 5NX
01983 554130

My Father 24143078 R. Wilson (Tug) & Uncle, Fred Hillary served in 1st Bn Royal Highland Fusiliers
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Sandy
Admin

Sandy · Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 2:37 pm Post subject:

Just an update from Dave on this .....

they have Lord David Ramsbottom as an Honoury President and they are also applying for charity status
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Sandy
Admin