I’m writing this column wearing my Maine Veterans in Need (MVN) hat. Our mission is simple but important: to assist veterans and their dependents who are in need, advocate for those in crisis, prevent homelessness, and help those already homeless transition into stable housing. When we say “all veterans,” we mean ALL, including those who are incarcerated. 

While the data is unofficial, estimates suggest that between 250 and 350 veterans are incarcerated in Maine at any given time. Of those, roughly half will return to prison after release.  

Two years ago, I started a veterans support group at Maine’s Mountain View Correctional Facility in Charleston. Veterans share a bond that transcends circumstance. For those at Mountain View, gathering once a month offers a break from the routine and a chance to reconnect with that shared identity. These meetings also provide practical value, helping participants understand what support is available, from government programs to nonprofits like MVN, as they prepare to reenter society. 

I’ve also worked with veterans who have served time in federal prison. One Maine veteran struggled after leaving the Army following multiple combat deployments. Like many, he suffered from PTSD and other mental health challenges. Over time, the VA helped stabilize him with appropriate treatment and medication. 

However, once he entered federal prison, that VA-provided care stopped due to federal regulations. Without that support, his mental health deteriorated, putting him at serious risk. His situation highlights a gap in the system that has real consequences. 

Each year, VSOs go to Washington, meet our delegation and discuss priority military and veteran issues.  Last year, as part of the Maine chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), I traveled to Washington, D.C. for our annual “Advocacy in Action” event. I shared this issue at each meeting with our delegation. Senator Angus King took particular interest. In response, he recently sponsored Senate Bill 4162, the “Get Justice-Involved Veterans BACK HOME Act.” This legislation would establish a pilot program allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide mental health care inside correctional facilities, something it is unable to do today. By focusing on conditions like PTSD and traumatic brain injury, the bill aims to improve rehabilitation outcomes and reduce recidivism. 

There are other barriers as well. For example, veterans who lose their housing while incarcerated often cannot begin the process of securing new housing until after their release. Given that it can take months to find stable housing, this delay almost guarantees a period of homelessness, adding yet another challenge during reentry. Correctional facility staff work hard to assist, but their resources are limited.  

Maine’s congressional delegation has a strong track record of supporting veterans, and our Veteran Service Organizations will continue to bring these issues forward. It’s one more reason why joining and supporting a VSO matters. 

MVN is not the only organization that volunteers to help those incarcerated. There are many, including those addressing faith, substance abuse, education, and vocational skills. Their efforts are extremely important to enable as successful a reentry as possible.