“The PIOCs on this wing understand they broke the law and serving a prison sentence is their punishment. However, that is not the only part of their life they want used to define them. Even “behind bars” their duty to serve country and to serve others has resurfaced for them. Everybody wants a second chance. For many of them, this is that second chance.”

Brandon Drost, Corrections Program Supervisor

Approximately 1/3 of America’s Veterans have been arrested or jailed. Multiple risk factors contribute to those numbers, including, combat related trauma and post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries and substance abuse, adverse childhood experiences, and sexual trauma while in the military.  The impact of lasting mental trauma for veterans from their time in service makes them more likely to commit crimes.

In April 2018, the Stanley Correctional Institution created a Veterans Wing in the prison for Veteran inmates, or persons in their care, to give back to the community through fundraisers, volunteer work within the prison, and build a sense of belonging much like that established in military units.  Approximately 1/3 of America’s Veterans have been arrested or jailed. Multiple risk factors contribute to those numbers, including, combat related trauma and post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries and substance abuse, adverse childhood experiences, and sexual trauma while in the military.  The impact of lasting mental trauma for veterans from their time in service makes them more likely to commit crimes. Brandon Drost, Corrections Program Supervisor, who served for four years in the Army 101^st Airborne Division, initially came up with the idea of the Veterans wing and discussed it with the former SCI Warden, Reed Richardson, a retired National Guardsman, who thought it was a good idea. Drost explains, “I felt incorporating values instilled by the Military at one point in their lives could help reduce recidivism, as well as give them a sense of belonging to something bigger than themselves with a mission of finding ways to give back to the community.  Going back on the values I learned while serving, I knew this wing could work.  We would bring in services and they (Veteran PICOs) could hopefully get back to the person they were when they signed up to serve; that this wing could create a “community” of like-minded individuals that felt a call to serve again.” It took over a year to get the services ready to present the idea of the wing but once it was approved, they didn’t waste any time getting started and the Wing began to form.   

 Sixty-four Veteran PIOCs currently live in the Veterans Wing with approximately 130 Veteran inmates at the Stanley Correctional Institution. Living in the Veterans Unit is not required for every Veteran PIOC but is a volunteer unit. For those who do choose to live in the Veterans Unit, there is a process they have to follow.  Inmates must submit an application and go through a background check verifying their status. Until proof is provided, they are put on a waitlist while they wait for verification. Those who are approved and live there enjoy the quiet dayrooms, the mutual respect the inmates have for each other, the additional services provided for the Veterans, and the additional personal responsibility to show positive institution adjustment. The benefits that all Veterans receive include, health care, burial, home loans, pension, insurance, disability compensation, education and training, and Veteran Readiness and Employment. Incarcerated Veterans are still eligible to receive those benefits but there are rules.  If a PIOC has a disability rating of 10% or lower, they are not able to receive their benefits while incarcerated.  If they have a rating above 10%, they will only receive funds that equal 10%.

One of the biggest ways the Veteran PIOCs at SCI give back is by hosting fundraisers to raise money for organizations in the community.  They try to use local businesses for those fundraisers as much as possible and thereby, help the community in more ways.  In the past they have used Hansen’s IGA, Thorp SuperValu, Kwik Trip, LaGrander’s Hillside Dairy, and Woodman’s for many food items. Since the Veterans Unit began, approximately $30,000 has been donated to area organizations such as, Feed My People, Jason’s Presents, High Ground Veteran Memorial Park, Hope House Food Pantry, Wounded Warrior Project, Clark County Sheriff K9 Program, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Chippewa County Crime Stoppers, Bay View Community Center, Stanley Relief Fund, Shalom Center, Trinity Equine, Am-Vets, American Legion #10, Paws Program, Holcombe Area Veteran’s Memorial, Being There-Reaching Out, many various local food pantries, and much more.  The Thorp Police Department recently received a donation from the Veterans Unit for tactical vests.

Brandon Drost shares the heart of the Veterans currently in the program. The Veterans on that wing are happy that they can give back and do something productive.  Drost explains, “The PIOCs on this wing understand they broke the law and serving a prison sentence is their punishment. However, that is not the only part of their life they want used to define them. Even “behind bars” their duty to serve country and to serve others has resurfaced for them.” He continues, “Everybody wants a second chance. For many of them, this is that second chance.  We donate to a lot of food banks and organizations throughout the state.  By doing this, it gives them meaning beyond the crime they committed. The Veterans on this wing enjoy reading the “Thank You” cards and letters they receive for the donations.” Having the fundraisers go through the Veterans Wing has made it easier on the Stanley Correctional Institution as a whole. Drost clarifies, “Running fundraisers through the Veterans Wing has really simplified the process for the entire institution making it a lot more feasible to have more fundraisers.”

While the State of Wisconsin has a recidivism rate of 38.0%, the Stanley Correctional Institution is committed to helping the diminish recidivism by constantly looking for ways to grow and bring in more services to be brought in to help with recidivism.  Some of those services include: American Red Cross- Service to Armed Forces, VA Community Resource and Referral Center- Health Care Re-Entry for Veterans, Housing and Urban Development -Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, Veteran Housing and Recovery Program, Center for Veterans Issues-Supportive Services for Veteran Families. Through these programs and many others, they can help the Veterans as they return to their communities by finding them housing, benefits they qualify for, and offer services such as AA, NA, and Dealing with PTSD and much more.  The goal is to help these Veteran inmates to be successful, contributing members of their communities.