Connection between brain injury and crime among youth

Psychology Professor Huw Williams has authored a major new report, published today, on the impact that acquired brain injuries can have on young people in childhood and in their transition to adulthood, and outlines the criminal justice consequences if these injuries go untreated.

Repairing Shattered Lives: Brain injury and its implications for criminal justice, examines the connection between the 'silent epidemic' of brain injury among young people and crime.

In the report, Professor Huw Williams notes that a shocking 60 per cent of young people in custody report having experienced some kind of traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Acquired brain injuries can lead maturing brains to 'misfire,' interrupting the development of temperance (ability to restrain and moderate actions), social judgement and the ability to control impulses. If undetected these injuries, which may be the result of falls, sporting injuries, car accidents or fights, can leave young people untreated and increase their risk of offending.

Report author Professor Huw Williams says, ''The young brain, being a work in progress, is prone to 'risk taking' and so is more vulnerable to getting injured in the first place, and to suffer subtle to more severe problems in attention, concentration and managing one's mood and behaviour.

''It is rare that brain injury is considered by criminal justice professionals when assessing the rehabilitative needs of an offender, even though recent studies from the UK have shown that prevalence of TBI among prisoners is as high as 60 per cent. Brain injury has been shown to be a condition that may increase the risk of offending, and it is also a strong 'marker' for other key factors that indicate risk for offending.''