On this Veterans Day, we salute the brave men and women who answered the call. But service doesn’t always end when the uniform comes off — and for thousands of veterans, the journey is far more complicated than most realize.

Here are key statistics that deserve our attention:

• An estimated 107,400 veterans were serving time in state or federal prison in 2016. 
• Veterans make up approximately 8% of the U.S. prison population. 
• Roughly 1 in 3 veterans report having been arrested at least once in their lifetime — compared to about 1 in 5 for non-veterans, indicating higher justice-system involvement.
• Many incarcerated veterans face service-related trauma, PTSD, substance use disorders, and difficulty reintegrating — factors that contribute to their incarceration. 

These numbers don’t just represent service members — they represent human beings, loved ones, families. They remind us that honoring veterans means more than ceremonies once a year. It means paying attention to the ongoing battles many face.

How we can honor and support incarcerated veterans today:

1. Reach out: Write a letter or send a card to a veteran in prison — let them know their service is remembered and valued.
2. Volunteer or donate: Support organizations offering veteran-specific reentry services, mental health care, or legal aid.
3. Advocate for identification and support: Encourage correctional facilities to properly identify veteran status and provide trauma-informed care.
4. Include families: The families of incarcerated veterans need support too — community, peer groups, resources to help them cope and stay connected.
5. Raise awareness: Share statistics and stories that challenge the assumption that “service ends at the gate.” Awareness leads to empathy, policy change, and better support.

On this Veterans Day — let’s honor not just the uniform, but the continuing journey. Let’s recognize those who served, including those behind bars, and commit to standing with them, not just remembering them.

Carson, E. Ann. Veterans in Prison: Survey of Prison Inmates, 2016. Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice, March 2021.

Council on Criminal Justice. From Service to Sentencing: Unraveling Risk Factors for Criminal Justice Involvement Among U.S. Veterans. 2023.

Tsai, Jack, et al. Justice-Involved Veterans: Honoring Service and Advancing Public Safety. National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), 2022.

Elbogen, Eric B., et al. “Arrest and Incarceration Rates Among U.S. Veterans: Differences by Era of Service, Disability, and Co-occurring Conditions.” Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 2022.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD. Veterans Justice Outreach Program Overview, 2023.