Report into military veterans in prison

An inquiry into former armed service personnel in prison has found no evidence that having served for your country makes veterans more likely to end up in prison than civilians.

But the Howard League for Penal Reform report did find military veterans are twice as likely to become convicted sex offenders than members of the general public and that veterans are more likely to commit violent offences.

An inquiry into former armed service personnel in prison has found no evidence that having served for your country makes veterans more likely to end up in prison than civilians.

But the Howard League for Penal Reform report did find military veterans are twice as likely to become convicted sex offenders than members of the general public and that veterans are more likely to commit violent offences.

Sir John Nutting QC, chairman of the inquiry, said he had “no idea” why former servicemen went on to commit sex offences and called for further research to look into any causes.

“It ought to be remembered that servicemen, especially those who are likely to fight in the front line, have to be trained to be effective in the use of violence,” the report found.

“Inside the forces, this violence is controlled and regulated. Yet some ex-servicemen whom we interviewed had not found it easy to restrain violent impulses outside of that environment.”

See more: risks,