The MP has been tasked with conducting a formal review into the needs of veterans convicted of criminal offences and given a custodial or community sentence. His review will also look at the support presently available and report on how it can be improved.
Dr Milroy, as a member of the Advisory Council selected to inform the review, said afterwards, “We covered a lot of ground. There is a lot of misunderstanding about what help is already available and I hope I was able to reassure and put some of the issues into perspective for Mr Stewart.
“There are more than 2,000 charities registered to provide help of some kind to ex-Servicemen and women and I believe you are ‘citizen plus’ if you are a veteran. That said, anything that helps signpost the way to those organisations, for the people who need their services, must be welcomed.”
The Council consists of Lord Ramsbotham GCB CBE, Michael Laurie CBE, Dr Hugh Milroy OBE PhD, Sir John Nutting Bt QC, Rt Hon Lord Judge.
The Stewart Review’s remit is to look at how ex-Service personnel are identified on conviction; what advice and support is currently available to them and how to adopt and disseminate best practice relating to their rehabilitation needs. As part of the process it will look at evidence of effective interventions in other countries and consult with members of the Cross-Government Military Reference Group.
Dr Milroy was a member of 2011 The Howard League Inquiry, which revealed that veterans were under-represented in the prison community, accounting for just 3.5 per cent of those serving sentences in the UK. He also advises the Canadian Government on veterans’ affairs.
Mr Stewart said, “I expect the review to last six months. It will consider issues including how ex-service personnel are identified on conviction and what advice and support is available to them – as well as looking at effective interventions in other countries.
“Veterans have made a unique contribution to our society, and we owe them a huge debt. Their needs are specific, and it is an honour to have the opportunity to support veterans in this way. I am very much looking forward to working with veterans organisations, the armed forces and the Ministry of Justice to make sure we have the best programme for veterans in the world.”
