AUBURN — The booking procedure at the Androscoggin County Jail, including a mug shot, strip search and dressing in inmate scrubs — just got longer.

A questionnaire that all new inmates must answer has been expanded to ask whether they have served in the military.

“We need to understand who the veterans are in our facility and what needs aren’t being met,” said Lt. Jeff Chute, the jail’s assistant administrator. Plans call for incoming veterans to be given information about resources such as Tri-County Mental Health Services, the VA medical system and the Lewiston Vet Center.

“We need to make sure these guys and gals aren’t forgotten,” Chute said. “We need to help them.”

The move followed a meeting last week between local veterans, the VA and county leaders.

The move is a “baby step” toward the creation of a veterans’ court here in Androscoggin County, said Jerry DeWitt, a Lewiston veteran who lobbied for the just-passed state law permitting such courts.

DeWitt and others hope veterans who are charged with crimes eventually can be seen by a dedicated court with the power to erase criminal charges against veterans in return for their successful completion of alternative programs.

But for now, he is happy to gather information about the veterans who are coming in and to offer existing services.

“The system is already there,” said DeWitt, who serves as a Vista volunteer with Tri-County Mental Health. “We’re just trying to make the wheels come together a little easier.”

 Inmates from towns such as Norway and Bethel will also be counted at the Androscoggin County Jail, which books and holds all Oxford County inmates after their initial three days. In Franklin County, inmates will unlikely be counted since they are currently being sent to any Maine jail that will take them.

For Androscoggin County, the decision to join the effort was simple, Chute said.

Part of that is a nod to the jail’s staff. Sheriff Guy Desjardins, Jail Administrator John Lebel and Chute, himself, are veterans.

“We’re all veterans,” said Chute, who served as an engineer aboard U.S. Navy cruisers and destroyers. He guessed that half of the jail’s personnel have served in the military. “We all want to do something to help veterans if we can.”

All deserve a measure of respect, he said.

Local leaders, including District Attorney Norman Croteau, have been working for more than a year on creating a veterans’ court in the area. Rep. Michael Michaud’s office is working on finding money to help, DeWitt said.

The group is trying to recruit a judge who is willing to work on the project, he said.

Meanwhile, Chute hopes the questionnaires will help jail officials understand how much of the population has served in the military.

“There are veterans everywhere and we just don’t necessarily identify them,” DeWitt said.

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