Behind Bars, Not Beyond Help: Reaching Veterans Where They Are

When we say no veteran should be left behind, we mean it. 

That includes veterans behind the wire—those currently in the prison system, many of whom served their country with courage and pride, only to face immense challenges after returning to civilian life. 

This spring, in partnership with Swansea Veterans Hub, the Justice4Heroes team visited HMP Swansea to meet veterans on remand. It was eye-opening, humbling, and emotional. 

Many of the men we spoke to had battled with issues like PTSD, addiction, homelessness, or lack of support after service. But what stood out wasn’t just their past—it was their honesty, their resilience, and their hunger for change. 

A Fresh Start – Even from Inside 

Several veterans we spoke to that day took action on the spot. With support from our team, they signed up to begin exploring claims for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) and mis-sold Armed Forces pensions – right there, from within the prison walls. 

Their response reminded us of something important: support needs to be available when it’s needed most—not just when it’s convenient. 

And for these veterans, that day marked the start of something better. 

Military Injuries Don’t Disappear After Service 

Too many veterans are still living with hearing loss caused by years of noise exposure during service – whether from gunfire, engines, or aircraft. Some struggle to communicate. Some withdraw completely. But all deserve support. 

Others were mis-sold their pensions—told to transfer their stable military schemes into high-risk private plans without understanding what they were giving up. The result? Lost retirement income and long-term uncertainty. 

These are not small issues—and they don’t disappear just because someone is behind bars. 

Support That Shows Up 

At Justice4Heroes, we’re committed to reaching every corner of the veteran community. From community centres and coffee mornings to secure units and remand wings—we go where we’re needed. 

And we do it without judgement, without jargon, and always with the belief that every veteran deserves dignity, support, and a second chance. 

📞 Call us on: 0800 776 5622 
📩 Email: [email protected] 
🌍 Visit: justice4heroes.org