Columbus law enforcement officials are keeping veteran’s separate from other inmates. The Muscogee County Jail just opened their veteran’s dorm.

The separate wing of the jail holds 16 people. Right now it’s nearly full. Fifteen percent of the inmates in the Muscogee County jail are veterans.

Muscogee County Sheriff David Darr says separating the jail population makes it easier to target the men for treatment for things like substance abuse and post traumatic stress disorder.

“Having these gentlemen in this dorm together as they deal with similar issues, the mental health issues of different kinds and the drug and alcohol issues, they go through some of this counseling and some of these classes and they kind of form their own support group among each other.”

The facility, located near Fort Benning, is believed to be the first of its kind in the U.S. Organizations that help veterans will continue to work with the men once they are released.

Tags: jail, GPB, Josephine Bennett, Muscogee County Sheriff, veterans jail, Sheriff David Darr