New Books Network Jason A. Higgins, "Prisoners After War: Veterans in the Age of Mass Incarceration" (U Massachusetts Press, 2024)
Nov 10, 2025
Dr. Jason A. Higgins, a Digital Scholarship Coordinator at Virginia Tech, brings vital insights on veterans' experiences after war and how they intersect with mass incarceration. He explores the impact of military service on mental health, recidivism, and the challenges of 'bad paper' discharges. Higgins discusses the historical context linking the Vietnam War to rising incarceration rates and highlights the role of incarcerated veterans in advocating for reform through Veterans Treatment Courts. His work emphasizes the need for nuanced discussions surrounding veterans' rights and societal support.
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Military And Carceral Systems Linked
- The book connects the military and prison systems by centering formerly incarcerated veterans' experiences.
- It argues policies built on racism, ableism, and patriarchy funneled marginalized people into service then punishment.
Incarcerated Veterans: Large And Undercounted
- Government data first documented large numbers of incarcerated veterans in 1978, estimating 73,000 then.
- By 2001 the DOJ estimated about 150,000 incarcerated veterans, many Vietnam-era and disproportionately Black with disabilities.
Bad Paper Cuts Veterans Off
- 'Bad paper' discharges removed veterans' access to GI Bill and VA healthcare.
- Less-than-honorable separations were used to expel marginalized service members and worsened postservice outcomes.
