Inside An Experimental Jail For Veterans Only (HBO)

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6 жыл бұрын

In a barracks-style room in Billerica, MA, 25 veterans wake up everyday and divide into squads for PT and cleaning routines. They are not on an army base or in a VFW hall, but in a county jail.
This is HUMV, the Housing Unit for Military Veterans (the inmates came up with the name) at the Middlesex County Jail. It is one of a very small but growing number of jail units dedicated solely to veterans that have arisen across the country in recent years, and it's being used as a model for new ones.
The unit is designed to replicate aspects of the military that will make them feel supported-the walls are covered in murals of Iwo Jima, flags, insignia of the various military divisions. It’s also built around daily, targeted rehabilitative opportunities-inmates attend rigorous programming from parenting classes to PTSD counseling.
VICE News goes inside HUMV to see military life behind bars, and visits a professor and Vietnam vet who thinks these prison programs are getting one crucial thing wrong.
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Пікірлер: 468

@VICENews 6 жыл бұрын

VICE News goes inside HUMV to see military life behind bars, and visits a professor and Vietnam vet who thinks these prison programs are getting one crucial thing wrong. Watch next on prison and VR technology - bit.ly/2Bviv6j

@andrewhuckstable5996 6 жыл бұрын

Cant_Touch_This Most of the military plays a support role. Your perception of most people being killing machines is from Hollywood. People in the military think XYZ is a waste of money or a dumb war all the time! I don’t know why you see them as naive children that can learn how to do everything from be a doctor to fix aircraft, but can’t think critically about anything.

@fkujakedmyname 6 жыл бұрын

go figure no mention of slave wages as a problem cuz vice is just nazi propaganda

@videoman7659 6 жыл бұрын

“I’m gonna go to lunch with my mother and brother and squeeze the life out of them”

@jorges1305 6 жыл бұрын

Shiiit so I have to get locked up to get help from the VA

@bennihaha87 6 жыл бұрын

jorge S basically. The US doesn’t give a shit about our veterans. It’s terrible.

@meridithellis4555 6 жыл бұрын

jorge S sad but true. I've watched my father and brothers jump through hoops just for regular va benefits...its a shame...our vets are worth so much more

@williamchamberlain2263 6 жыл бұрын

I don't know your circumstances, but you could try getting together with other local veterans and getting into newspapers and onto local radio - local media is usually short of stories, and unfortunately you have to be loud to get attention sometimes.

@skaihall 5 жыл бұрын

Sadly

@chrisk6668 3 жыл бұрын

Lol, no. You can literally just call them or go to them and they will provide services.

@HunterX109 6 жыл бұрын

I do like this because many Vets fall down to the dark paths, many to homeless or life of crime using their training for that crime. I do hope this helps them.

@3paymnt 6 жыл бұрын

Only 25 inmates to the vast amount of veteran's that need our support. The main soldier got busted for theft for drug's not once but twice and yes the way it goes probably against his family and friends.

@xxxdieselyyy2 6 жыл бұрын

Blaze Hunter you're supposed to be paying for post battle escapades, civie :p

@goobers143 6 жыл бұрын

Any statistics or proof of your claim?

@kuo8088 6 жыл бұрын

Hayden Holman, you really have no shame, do you? You’re really willing to bash men and women who signed up to defend us? Many could have gone to college, there are doctors and mechanics, lawyers and more. Yet there you are willing to say that they are dumb? Perhaps you don’t deserve the rights that those people fought to give you, that many died to protect for you. So you don’t have to fear tyrants who would love to have this country in their grasp? Course you feel safe to say this, since this is the internet. Would you so kindly go up to a veteran who served, and tell them that they are dumb and never had a plan? Of course you’d say yes, since you’re anonymous. I don’t believe you actually would.

@kuo8088 6 жыл бұрын

G, i suppose you‘re right about that.

@RubsNL 6 жыл бұрын

It baffles me every time to see veterans left to their own devices in a country with such an insane military budget.

@kuo8088 6 жыл бұрын

It baffles me that we shouldn’t try and rehabilitate all criminals. The focus should be on making them into productive citizens, not antagonizing them. I believe that the Veteran’s wing is a crucial step towards that idea or rehabilitation.

@Multimeter1 6 жыл бұрын

Because the budget is going all digital age/Cyber and tech, the vets are viewed as temporary soldiers.

@danfletcher3190 6 жыл бұрын

Most of that money is handed out to contractors

@chickenlittle567 6 жыл бұрын

Enlist for your corporations and to defend their profits. Lay your life down to lay down pipe lines.

@wcsxwcsx 6 жыл бұрын

The military budget is for the active duty military and buying equipment from contractors. Veterans don't really matter to them any more.

@zarosthemage5254 6 жыл бұрын

I don't see why some people are hating this idea. Vets aren't like normal criminals. They come from a completely different culture than what's here in the states. It's hard for them to not only adjust to a civilian life style but for some to land on their feet if they have no clue what to do once they leave. A lot of them end up having mental problems and have to deal with a slow system to try and get help. Vets put their chance of a normal civilian life on hold so others don't have to. If someone comes up with a program that helps vets who are having trouble, it works, and cost the same amount as one full time employee than I see no problem with it. These men and women were willing to give their lives for us to have everything we have today. We should be willing to give them whatever they need to adjust back to a normal life.

@Theodorej1960 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Zaros. Well said.

@bobw7018 Ай бұрын

VERY well said, I thoroughly agree. I'm curious what it would take in my county to do this so that we can begin helping our people be successful, rather than struggling.

@TomasBeckett 6 жыл бұрын

Finally, something is being done to help our veterans. Veterans who can't adapt to everyday life as easily as others deserve help.

@daviddebergh254 6 жыл бұрын

I'd become a jailer just to help these Veterans. Both of my grandfather's served in Vietnam and I have nothing but respect for them.

@allstar930 6 жыл бұрын

As a veteran, this is exactly how I would want to do my time if I ever had to go to jail. It just makes good sense to separate the military vets because they know how to follow orders and should be easy as hell to manage.

@gassilva2185 6 жыл бұрын

Tuck3r im sure you would like that..is like taking a vacacion from a real Jail..

@americanpatriot3667 6 жыл бұрын

Tuck3r no veteran should ever be in jail they have they’re life for this country yet the country doesn’t do anything for them they should be treated better then celebrities or anyone else

@carlosandleon 6 жыл бұрын

Bushcraft NE lock them up if they do a crime. if they can follow orders well as they say, they can follow the law

@evelynecstasy 6 жыл бұрын

Bushcraft NE So, if a vet commits a crime they shouldn’t go to jail? That’s stupid

@elizulie 6 жыл бұрын

literally anyone would want to do their jail time like this. it’s a shame only a small group of soldiers get to. privileged.

@kajakkille 6 жыл бұрын

This must be a paradigm shift in the US, trying to rehab criminals instead of punishing Old Testament style and filling up prisons with convicts for life...

@alizea5387 6 жыл бұрын

Simon Kefas if it is then it’s a change for good so far

@dogguy8603 6 жыл бұрын

Some convicts deserve to be in prison for life or executed

@RedbadofFrisia 6 жыл бұрын

dog guy exactly, some. Most people don't commit unforgivable crimes though.

@kajakkille 6 жыл бұрын

dog guy. Even conservative GOP’s realize the economy in rehabilitating and releasing prisoners. Prisons are very expensive for taxpayers.

@TheMonsterMyers 6 жыл бұрын

Remember these men are US Military Veterans before they where criminals.

@insanejuggalette1990 6 жыл бұрын

I love this. This is a step in the right direction. We need to help our vets before they get to this point, but I also love that they are using the same model for other groups of inmates

@rachaelhohmann1887 6 жыл бұрын

as a veteran and the wife of a veteran that was in prison...i think that they need these veteran units every.

@Bella-zw6wl 4 жыл бұрын

Bella person on Facebook can you add me he’s my fiancé in the video

@TheSkatedude360 6 жыл бұрын

I don't generally agree with a lot of things in America at the moment (I'm From England) but this is a genuinely good thing they are doing, well done.

@humanfilth7331 6 жыл бұрын

TheDayOne they should do this with all prisoners just cuz someone went to army shouldnt mean shit

@joeyjacob8088 6 жыл бұрын

Except this is being done experimentally, please do not give us more credit until we implement this on a much larger scale and give it more time to succeed.

@firefang1343 6 жыл бұрын

butt head Thats too expensive and unrealistic sadly.

@humanfilth7331 6 жыл бұрын

firefang1343 and why is that how much money does the goverment spend on bombs and drones that are used mostly to kill innocent people

@jewishcoupon 6 жыл бұрын

Don't generally agree with monarchy myself,but that's why I'm proud to be an American.🖕

@rickydc0475 4 жыл бұрын

This program sounds real successful, just wish it was around for my ol' Dad, a WWII Army Vet who fought bravely in the South Pacific theatre, but later had a terrible time with alcoholism, something that badly affected us 5 kids growing up to love our "Daddy" but hated when he mistreated our poor Mom! i 'm sure tho generations of military Veterans differ in times, but the PTSD, shellshock, or whatever the updated vocabulary might be, they're a young men and women who served and i hope this prison program grows and helps to separate Veterans from the rest of the prison population. . .God knows they've paid the price just being in the military. Thanx for this video which actually brought me to tears that a Vet should even need to be jailed to get much needed help for them AND their families. God bless those who cared enough to start this program. Thanx again!!!

@M60gunner1971 5 жыл бұрын

Getting out was so much more difficult than going in.

@Bella-zw6wl 4 жыл бұрын

Bella Person on Facebook my fiancé was is mike and he would love other vets to reach out

@OneEyedSquirrel 6 жыл бұрын

I really don’t see how anyone could be against this. Especially if the statistics are true and theyre not coming back to prison.

@SweetLilWren 6 жыл бұрын

Mophie you don't make as much money if you're paying out to rehabilitate plus if you Rehabilitate them, they don't come back and then you don't get to make money it's all capitalism, for profit prison systems

@terrariley4289 6 жыл бұрын

We need more programs like this. I am in love with this idea. I help the homeless a lot and at least 25% of the people I help are veterans. There right there really is no training to show them how to go from Army mode back to civilian mode. Most people think that exploding fireworks on 4th of July honor them when in reality most vets I know don't like Fourth of July because it brings back their PTSD. The Army really does condition them to fight but doesn't really condition them to rejoin normal life.

@bobw7018 Ай бұрын

EXACTLY! Many I'd imagine would much rather a quiet place with some good friends to chill for the 4'th rather than sounds that awaken the horrors they'd much sooner leave buried in the past. These men need to be helped transition back over to civilian life after their discharge. Given our defense budget, you'd think a transitional program would be well within the grasp of our mighty DoD to produce so these people can make the jump back over more successfully. We owe them this much in my eyes. And so much more.

@toybox6 6 жыл бұрын

I am very glad to see them trying methods such as this

@BrockPageProductions 6 жыл бұрын

This is truly interesting.

@meridithellis4555 6 жыл бұрын

This is an amazing idea and should be implemented everywhere in America! PTSD is a real thing that destroys our vet's quality of life if not treated which often leads to poor choices. If they can't get the help they need b4 being incarcerated...the least we can do is give them this fighting chance while in prison. The sacrifices these men and women make for US and OUR freedom should count for something!

@Mr7lust7 6 жыл бұрын

It's fucked up that jail doesn't equal rehabilitation rather than a paycheck

@GlamorousTitanic21 5 жыл бұрын

If we invested more in helping out veterans instead of pointless military projects that go nowhere we wouldn’t even need prisons like this.

@hazard1371 6 жыл бұрын

That's dope, keep making veteran videos VICE!!

@michaellim4165 5 жыл бұрын

As a veteran myself, I approve this.

@gabehurwitz4183 6 жыл бұрын

Great story, more of this please!

@RealKisht 6 жыл бұрын

Great idea.

@davidelias6275 6 жыл бұрын

This is a very nice thing that the county has done for them get these people who came out of the army some structure

@MrAce209 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your service.

@mje19D 6 жыл бұрын

This is amazing!!

@AwakeningVenus 5 жыл бұрын

I wish they had better programs for when people get out before they get into trouble. I had a lot of anger issues when I first got out and almost ended up in military prison. Insanely thankful I was able to get out of that situation.

@cameronjacobs6951 6 жыл бұрын

Oh shit this was my old home town. I used to go fishing across from that jail and always wondered what was going on in there. Glad to see they’re doing something like this.

@nickc3657 6 жыл бұрын

Every prisoner deserves an opportunity for this kind of respect and rehabilitation.

@mememachine8954 6 жыл бұрын

No, mere criminals do not deserve this level of respect. Vets however do, as many of them are left to their own devices after leaving the military. Even then doing service instantly puts you above any degenerate criminal.

@nickc3657 6 жыл бұрын

Meme Machine Just because these people exemplified bravery doesn’t mean they should be the only ones with human rights

@mememachine8954 6 жыл бұрын

Been given a personal councilor is not a human right. To the extent of my knowledge US prisons do not break human rights. They provided food, water shelter, medical care and protection. Vets not only show bravery but honor, character and have earned respect. Criminals have earned to be disrespected.

@Litany_of_Fury 6 жыл бұрын

I personally believe it would be a grand thing if the country you call home has an obligation to help you when you don't fit in society. Be that for criminals or mentally disabled.

@mememachine8954 6 жыл бұрын

It would, but money aint growing on trees. And it will be virtually impossible to convince people that some degenerate criminal should get the same support as a vet.

@rocketdogticker 6 жыл бұрын

It is only fair. Programs like this need to exist. 👍

@Md-sz8ys 6 жыл бұрын

I wonder do they still get put on hold for 500hrs when calling the VA

@JulianSloman 6 жыл бұрын

Great idea - and great message that everyone should be getting this but start on effective group

@joshuaroberts675 3 жыл бұрын

Whoa, I seen that prison in person( outside). I had no idea!! I myself served and I'm glad this program exists. Many... Sadly.. Don't ask for help😔

@jackjelinski 6 жыл бұрын

Finally Vice some descent reporting

@AcheronLupus1 6 жыл бұрын

This is excellent.

@sandrakaiotic3866 6 жыл бұрын

It’s good that they these rehabilitation centres can be applied to other groups of people as well

@ishtar0077 6 жыл бұрын

Great video vice.

@stevenreynolds40 6 жыл бұрын

I like it. The knowingly volunteered to serve without realizing the side effects of skewing their formative adulthood years. The military hammers in a necessary lifestyle that some people are naturally unable to do by themselves. They were also taught how to survive in dangerous & violent situations while becoming addicted to either the comradery which was missing in their youth or the adrenaline of war. Either way it's easy to see someone being lost without structure and easily falling victim to another addiction, acting out to gain acceptance, or the disassociation from the general public who cannot understand the close relationships of soldiers. Call it special treatment, but it's deserved for the sacrifice

@i_hate_soy_boys0314 5 жыл бұрын

This is awesome

@brandonlm0125 3 жыл бұрын

This wouldn’t be necessary if vets were taken care of before and after leaving the service. After serving a decade and 4 tours I was given 3 days to clear post and figure out the rest of my life. 30 days after going home I was arrested for drugs and given 5 years that I did everyday of. This program shows that the people creating these programs should be running the VA and majority of the government.

@robdavis4951 6 жыл бұрын

We are all rooting for you michael!

@greggallen7381 6 жыл бұрын

Amazing idea

@aidanreed5845 6 жыл бұрын

I live near Billerica this is a awesome idea I didn’t even know about this

@KevinP32270 6 жыл бұрын

This is a great idea. Epic.

@LordDice1 6 жыл бұрын

Michael, if you go back to drugs I'll be disappointed but just remember you have a support group and don't forget to ask for help when you need it. We all need it sometimes.

@Bella-zw6wl 2 жыл бұрын

He didn’t ❤️

@wesleyswain1189 6 жыл бұрын

This is a very positive video.

@artcurious807 6 жыл бұрын

Its great to see men supporting men and getting into groups based on a shared experience. One of the big challenges for vets I think is trying to reintegrate back into a society that in some parts is too gynocentric. We need to bring back more support for men and men’s groups besides just sports. Men can make an enormous contribution to society if they are given the freedom and encouragement to do so.

@myviewsonly8980 6 жыл бұрын

Art Curious absolutely. They go from a male dominated environment with a real brother hood, where they are willing to literally lat down their lives for the guy next to them. To being in easy every day life in America where everyone expects them to just pick up and resume where they were before they left. Meanwhile they had a life changing experience. They feel left behind and unsure how to cope with this fast moving world. They lose the brothers they had in the service. Their old friends don't get it. Nobody gets it except those who have lived it.

@pandaEmpress 6 жыл бұрын

Really? American society is a patriarchy. Men already have every freedom to "contribute" to society. Men CONTROL society. I'm not saying vets shouldn't get help when they return - of course they should. I just think it's a bit naive to think that men 'don't get to have power" once they return.

@artcurious807 5 жыл бұрын

SoSuave Tips , that makes a lot more sense than other explanations. I just feel the feminization of our culture is compounding the problem. I remember working construction and landscaping after high school in order to save and pay for college. It was a separate life track than most college students who stayed in school their entire lives and never paid for their way. I hated dorm life and the rah rah atmosphere and spent most of my time hanging out with teachers, working adults or with students who were from working class backgrounds. College was a joke in terms of maturity levels and a waste of time for many students who simply drank, played video games, and downloaded all their homework off the internet. So I imagine the transition is even greater for a vet who takes on much more responsibility and has to mature much faster than a civilian. I’m not sure what to say in terms of career advice but some of the best teachers I had were military vets. Especially if they were teaching military history. And some of the best police officers, doctors, small business owners, and businesses leaders are all military vets.

@Bella-zw6wl 2 жыл бұрын

This is Michaels fiancé and I just wanted everyone to know that he’s finally turned his life around and he’s literally doing amazing. ❤️

@joshusqua7561 6 жыл бұрын

I’m from New Hampshire in Billerica all the time never knew this was a thing

@siyarg.4900 6 жыл бұрын

See this is proof that everyone is different, you cant teach or deal with everyone in the same way.

@phillipmaz 6 жыл бұрын

This place seems better than actually being in the military

@ellis4170 6 жыл бұрын

This is incredible! Especially for the US.

@optimize. 6 жыл бұрын

Support, treatment, rehabilitation. This is how jails work in most well-functioning countries. This is such an obvious approach to incarceration. Just roll this out to all inmates. Jail is not about punishment, it's about helping people be better citizens.

@pipeman3088 4 жыл бұрын

I was there it saved my life!!!!

@thesouthernmostsun3416 6 жыл бұрын

AHHHHHH!!!!!! WHY IS THIS NOT A THING!

@alleystargrowley2784 6 жыл бұрын

Patricia Alteme it is lol

@nsnsskksksmsmskskdksk4726 4 жыл бұрын

Yes

@tanman47756 6 жыл бұрын

This is pretty cool

@amarz2792 2 жыл бұрын

Imagine you sitting down someone goes up to you and whispers “Do you have a shave chit”but sarge

@j.s.3414 6 жыл бұрын

"experimental"....oh you mean Leavenworth?

@jonanderson5137 6 жыл бұрын

Joe Joe, you know that's for the shit birds.

@elvismoseti4165 2 жыл бұрын

It's understanding everyone differently

@juliearmymom7807 5 жыл бұрын

I wonder what happened to him. I really hope he is well and successful.

@Core35 6 жыл бұрын

Thats Crazy bro

@feliii6 6 жыл бұрын

This is so necessary and progressive. I hope they consider similar programs for other offenders who could benefit from rehabilitation

@suzettehummingbird2411 4 жыл бұрын

As a veteran I like this.

@bang509509 6 жыл бұрын

Mr Brown was a fellow sky soldier!! Airborne!!

@alechachman9599 6 жыл бұрын

Wow. My town is in the news

@dhirajsubba6364 6 жыл бұрын

customized prison, there is so many prison now it is diversifying to create value.

@brienjefferson4882 3 жыл бұрын

People do not understand that’s the way it should be for our vets. That they come home and sometimes are lost. We use these people, and they need this to get back on track with their own fellow military people.

@marchfifth1754 6 жыл бұрын

Why the special treatment? There are people out there suffering from the same mental illness and trauma. Why are those people being put into a system that doesn't rehabilitate and make them worse when they get out? If this gets extended to all prisoners I will agree, however if this is just a veteran program even after proven success then America still has a long way to go.

@andrewhuckstable5996 6 жыл бұрын

The veterans have a large amount of people mostly veterans themselves who are willing to be unpaid volunteers to make the program possible. Why don’t people that experienced trauma that didn’t join the military want to help people like themselves for free in large enough numbers to have free programs?

@nathanbruce1992 6 жыл бұрын

Andrew Huckstable: we spend twice as much on veteran benefits than we do education in our national budget.

@mikhailmushroomavich5372 6 жыл бұрын

This is good

@thepocketmonsterfamily2007 6 жыл бұрын

My brother guarded poppy fields, he was ordered to and when he was asked he was told this is there way of life. He's all fucked up from bad stuff he's seen too.

@Dsm4g631Evo 6 жыл бұрын

There isnt enough programs or assistance for vets. Im a Army vet and homeless and too proud to ask for help and prob going to lead me behind bars. I would volunteer if one was available in Naples, Fl

@alexanderwilliams5797 6 жыл бұрын

People in these comments are truly under educated about prison systems and recidivism

@Rkhsk45 6 жыл бұрын

This is amazing, but why don’t they offer this to everyone? It’s not like other inmates don’t need this kind of rehabilitation..

@nestorortiz8868 6 жыл бұрын

Amorphous Photo this is the part that explain why only for vets 3:53 or people made a more willing choice. This vets are more easey to help

@Gurkha73able 9 ай бұрын

This is how all jails, military AND civilian should be. Before you judge someone, just remember, you don't know their life story.

@willhebert9115 6 жыл бұрын

How about helping members of our military before they get to a point in life that lands them in prison....I'm all for this program dont get me wrong but I believe we shkild be doing more before it gets to this point

@karennelson4499 6 жыл бұрын

Are they doing this for female vets as well? I'm just curious to see if they are also being offered this. My husband, fatherinlaw, and gandfathers served and I think this is a great idea.

@jonanderson5137 6 жыл бұрын

Karen Nelson, sadly, I think this will be a thing in the near future.

@charlotteice5704 6 жыл бұрын

This is prison done right. Now you need to do this with the rest of the inmates. C'mon USA, you're growing up! Heeeyyy you're making your first steps to being less inhumane and more like freedom!

@robertwalker2052 2 жыл бұрын

Person's rocking hella proper star neck tatts, I'd like to got to know this dude. He's hella proper respect mannerisms etc. Hope he fits what he needs.

@NewBalanceOfficial 6 жыл бұрын

They’ve been doing this in Omaha, Ne for a while now

@2Tall03XX 3 жыл бұрын

I got arrested twice for trying to assault someone. The VA finally decided to do something after the fact.

@CommonCentrist82 Жыл бұрын

At least I know if I ever get a bid on a misdemeanor (lol), they have a veteran's unit in my county's HOC.

@mysterymayhem7020 2 жыл бұрын

Federal Prisons need to also be setup for this type of program.

@sappermade6012 4 жыл бұрын

This is so heart breaking for me to see our Nations hero’s behind bars.....sucks man

@enjoylife7739 6 жыл бұрын

sounds like Henry from goodfellas

@andrew6745 6 жыл бұрын

I would like to try that.

@namu5583 6 жыл бұрын

I like how VICE colour grade it's video.

@messipist 6 жыл бұрын

This isn't new at all. A veteran's mod has been doing this in the San Diego vista detention facility for over 15 years.

@MK-fk4kp 5 жыл бұрын

Why does the government wait until they go to jail to help them?!!

@Caoimhin93 6 жыл бұрын

I love the idea of this and I think we can do a lot of good, but how many prison inmates do you know style their hair with product? I think something's fishy about this because the inmate he's talking to you at the end has products in his hair they do not allow in prison

@wigbertoperez3193 6 жыл бұрын

As a veteran I feel discussed with this comments dawn

@ebinecksdee9872 Жыл бұрын

It's almost like reform instead of punishment actually works

@bryanhernandez7557 5 жыл бұрын

Omg Michael Person, I know you. Im so sorry dude. If anyone else reads this, I knew him when he was in the service. I never even imagined I would see him in a KZfaq video. I doubt he would want to talk to me again, when he got out I was supposed to call him, but I didn't. I was going through through a rough time as well, but he was going through even worse.

@Bella-zw6wl 2 жыл бұрын

This is his girl and he’s doing great and he’d love to talk to you. My name is the same on Facebook! Reach out if you see this