A new study of young offenders has revealed they have a significantly higher rate of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) than that expected in society as a whole.
Researchers at the University of Exeter also found TBI was associated with a greater number of convictions and, when there were three or more TBIs, greater violence in offending.
The research, published online on 10 November in the journal Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, suggests brain injury must be taken seriously in the assessment and management of offenders.
Professor Huw Williams, from the University of Exeter's School of Psychology and lead author of the research, said: "This study shows that TBI is relatively common in offender groups and that it may be associated with reoffending. However, we cannot know whether brain injury per se increases likelihood of offending.
"There may well be underlying risk factors for TBI and offending behaviour. These could include deprivation, lack of life opportunities, low concern for self-care, and even being a person who 'takes risks'. A TBI may be a 'marker' for these other factors".
In the study, young male offenders aged 11 to 19 years were asked to complete self-reports on head injury, crime history, mental health and drug use – with 197 participants (94% of those asked) taking part.
Traumatic Brain Injury - an incident involving a blow to the head with a Loss of Consciousness (LOC) - was reported by 46% of the sample. This is higher than estimates for TBI in society as a whole of between 5% and 30% dependent on age group.
The main cause of injury in the young offenders was violence. In non-offending younger people, injury typically occurs in falls or in sports.
In the study, repeat injury was common – with a third reporting being "knocked out" more than once. Three or more TBIs were associated with greater violence in offences. Those with self-reported TBI were also at risk of greater mental health problems and of misuse of cannabis.
The research adds to another study published this year by Exeter researchers. Looking at adult offenders in prison, the previous work also found much higher rates of TBI than expected in society as a whole, with 60% claiming to have suffered a concussion. Those who said they had suffered a TBI were, on average, five years younger when they were first in prison compared to non-injured —16-years-old compared to 21. They also reported higher rates of repeat offending.
Professor Williams said it is already widely known that TBIs, particularly when there is longer LOC, can lead to problems in attention, memory, planning and problems in behaviour, for example, in anger management and impulse control. This research suggests it should be a key consideration in enabling these young offenders to change their behaviour.
"Taking account of brain injury could help reduce repeat offending in those affected," he said. "Screening for TBI could be included in the health assessments of offenders to identify those who need more detailed assessment for providing appropriate management. Importantly, adolescence could be a critical window of opportunity for diverting young offenders at risk of injury and of further offending into non-offending lifestyles".
The research was carried out in partnership with the United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum (UKABIF) and funded by the Big Lottery and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
Professor Mike Barnes, from UKABIF, said: "The figures suggested by this study mean action must be taken. The number of young people and adults within the criminal justice system is enormous and, as well as the anguish caused to them and their families, there is a huge cost to society to take into account."
The University of Exeter, UKABIF and The Child Brain Injury Trust have developed a special interest group which aims to improve understanding of acquired brain injury in offending behaviour.
They hope to help implement early screening for individuals within the criminal justice system and ensure access is available to appropriate rehabilitation for those who need it.
The latest paper will be available to view online in Neuropsychological Rehabilitation from 10 November here: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/title~db=all~content=g780413702
Notes:
Publications:
Traumatic brain injury in a prison population: Prevalence and risk for re-offending
W. HUW WILLIAMS, AVRIL J. MEWSE, JAMES TONKS, SARAH MILLS, CRISPIN N. W. BURGESS, & GIRAY CORDAN
School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
(Received 14 December 2009; revised 5 May 2010; accepted 12 May 2010,
Brain Injury, 2010; available online)
Self-Reported Traumatic Brain Injury in Male Young Offenders: A risk factor for re-offending, poor mental health and violence?
W. Huw Williams1*, Giray Cordan2 , Avril. J. Mewse1, James Tonks1 and Crispin N.W Burgess1,
1School of Psychology
University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
2 West of England Forensic Mental Health Service
Bristol, UK
Additional Background:
There are about 82,000 adults and young offenders in prison (UK) and about 2,300 young offenders in custody (England).
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a major cause of disability in children and working age adults. It is the leading cause of disability in people under 40. Risk factors for injury are age (very young, under 5, adolescence and young adulthood), male gender, urban dwelling, and lower socio-economic level. Common causes of TBI include road accidents, falls, sporting injury and assaults. In non-sporting injuries, alcohol and /or drug influence is a key contributory factor. In males the rate of TBI across all severities usually range from between 5% to 24% (McGuire, Burright, Williams & Donovick, 1998). There are studies suggesting higher rates. One study with children and young adults found that up to 30% (0-25 year olds) may have had a TBI (McKinlay, Grace, Horwood, Fergusson, Ridder & MacFarlane, 2008).
McGuire, L.M., Burright, R.G., Williams, R., & Donovick, P.J. (1998). Prevalence of traumatic brain injury in psychiatric and non-psychitaric subjects. Brain Injury, 12, 207-215.
McKinlay, A., Grace,R.C., Horwood, L.J., Fergusson, D.M., Ridder, E.M., & MacFarlane, M.R. (2008). Prevalence of traumatic brain injury among children. Adolescents, and young adults: prospective evidence from a birth cohort. Brain Injury; 22(2): 175-181.
Tennant, A. Admission to hospital following head injury in England: Incidence and socio-economic association. BMC Public Health 2005, 5:21. www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/5/21
For more information or to arrange an interview with Professor Huw Williams, please contact:
Daniel Williams
Press Officer
University of Exeter
Tel: 01392 722062
Email: d.d.williams@exeter.ac.uk
To arrange an interview with Professor Mike Barnes please contact:
Chloë Hayward
Execuive Director
UKABIF
Tel: 01752 601318
Email: ukabif@btconnect.com
To arrange an interview with The Child Brain Injury Trust please contact:
Louise Wilkinson
The Child Brain Injury Trust
Tel: 01869 341075
Email: louisewilkinson@cbituk.org
Journal
Neuropsychological Rehabilitation