“He who has shed blood with me on the battlefield will forever be my brother.”

It’s not typical to see William Shakespeare prominently quoted on a jail unit wall. Nor is it typical to see the unit decorated  with military flags and artwork. But this unit is not typical. It’s a rehabilitation and treatment program for incarcerated veterans developed by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department in conjunction with the U.S Veterans Administration and community partners.

The goal of the program is reduce recidivism among veterans – and  it’s working.

At any given time, San Diego County may have as many as 200 veterans in custody; many are dealing with substance abuse issues or post-traumatic stress disorder. San  Diego County staff wanted to focus on this often forgotten population. The Veterans Moving Forward program provides tailored in-custody treatment and services, links to community programs and re-entry assistance.