Jamie Rowen

Jamie Rowen, a legal scholar and author of Worthy of Justice, dives into the intriguing world of Veterans Treatment Courts (VTCs). She discusses how these courts are shaped not just by veterans' actions but by societal perceptions of their worth. Rowen highlights her extensive fieldwork, revealing the varied experiences of veterans across different court models. She addresses the impact of trauma and race, questioning who gets seen as deserving support within the criminal justice system. Her insights open a dialogue on how societal beliefs influence legal alternatives.

In this discussion, Jamie Rowen, a sociologist and author, delves into her research on Veterans Treatment Courts (VTCs), revealing how these courts navigate social inequalities within the criminal justice system. She highlights that VTCs operate on beliefs about veterans' worthiness for support, derived not solely from their actions but their military service. Rowen explores veterans' various experiences across different courts, and how trauma narratives and racial dynamics influence political backing for these programs, shedding light on America's complex views on justice and deservingness.