Prince William Docket Helps Veterans Rebuild and Reconnect

The Greater Prince William Veterans Treatment Docket celebrated the graduation of five veterans who completed the rigorous, year-long diversion program designed to provide justice-involved veterans with the tools and support needed to rebuild their lives.  

The docket connects veterans with services through the U.S. Veterans Affairs and other providers, addressing substance use, co-occurring mental health disorders, such as PTSD and traumatic brain injury, all while addressing the issues that led a veteran to becoming involved in the legal system. 

Prince William District Court Judge William E. Jarvis, who presides over the docket, emphasized the program’s mission to support veterans’ reintegration into civilian life.  

“Because of their service, their type of service and experience of serving their country... many veterans come back to what we call ‘civilian society,’ and they struggle,” said Jarvis. “They struggle in a variety of ways. The goal here is to work with veterans who have become justice involved. We want to give them the opportunity to avail themselves of services and see whether or not we can get them to a point where they can return back to civilian society.”  

The docket includes regular court appearances, counseling, classes and frequent drug screening. Participants commit to the program by signing a contract and must engage daily in their recovery and accountability process. The docket can take upwards of a year to complete.  

“When they sign up for this docket, they sign up as a contract, to do things every single day,” Jarvis said. “It’s hard. There’s a lot to do. These same people are trying to work. They’re trying to maintain family life and get along with the regular part of their life, and they have to work all of this in at the same time. They have to make themselves available almost every single day.”  

There are approximately 45,000 veterans living in Prince William County, with about 300 veterans involved in the criminal justice system. Most of those veterans in the system are eligible to participate in the docket.    

Charles Payne, a U.S. Army veteran and an early graduate of the program, delivered the keynote address during the recent docket graduation ceremony in Prince William District Court.  

“Being here today means a lot to me because I’ve been right where you are,” Payne said. “I know what it feels like to question whether you’ll ever find your way out and to wonder if anyone really gets it. I know it’s not easy. There are days when it feels like you’re barely making progress. I want you to know that every small step matters. Every time you show up, every honest conversation, every decision to stay committed, all of those things add up. So don’t quit. Keep showing up for yourself. Keep leaning on the people who believe in you until you start believing in you. I made it and you can, too.”  

Payne went on to say that the docket helped him immensely and thanked members docket team that includes representatives from the Prince William Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, public defenders, probation officers, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Justice Outreach Program and the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.  

“Your work literally changes lives. I’m living proof of that,” said Payne, now a psychology major working toward becoming a substance abuse counselor.  

Veterans who are facing charges from all levels of court and wish to join the docket can call Chris Mayers at 571-383-1209 or fill out a referral form. Veterans must volunteer to enter the docket.   

For more information about the program, visit Veterans Docket. To join the Veteran Mentor Team, visit the volunteer job posting on the county’s website.