Impact of Brain Injury on Justice Involved youth

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are prevalent in about 8.5% of the population. At this level, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers traumatic brain injury (TBI) to be a public health crisis. However, research indicates that the prevalence of brain injury (BI) is 20-67% in samples of juvenile offenders. Local preliminary data indicates:
Links to Resources:
Presentation Slides: supremecourt.nebraska.gov/sit...
BIANE_ResourceFacilitationBrochure: supremecourt.nebraska.gov/sit...
BrainInjuryGuide: supremecourt.nebraska.gov/sit...
BrainInjuryScreeningFAQFlyer1_19_22: supremecourt.nebraska.gov/sit...
NE OSU Screener 5-31-23: supremecourt.nebraska.gov/sit...
NE BI-JJ Infographic 5.3.22: supremecourt.nebraska.gov/sit...
55% of youth in detention screened positive for BI
21% of youth in a community-based juvenile justice program screened positive for BI
8% of youth in diversion screened positive for BI
Juveniles with brain injury tend to struggle while incarcerated because of the sequelae of brain injury. They experience reduced comprehension, recall, attention, ability to manage behavior, and poor impulse control, causing their behavior to look intentional. There is evidence that brain injury increases the risk for recidivism after release from correctional settings, and a 2014 piece by Adam Piccolino and Kenneth B. Solberg published in the Journal of Correctional Health Care reported that offenders with a history of brain injury have higher recidivism rates; ranging from 33% to 51%; than inmates with no history of brain injury. Unaddressed, these symptoms prevent youth with brain injury from successfully integrating into the community.
What is most alarming is that brain injury is often not on the radar of the criminal justice system as a potential issue affecting juveniles. In addition, the impact brain injury can have on their behavior is largely misunderstood. To help these juveniles struggling with brain injury get the care they need, professionals working in this area must understand the symptoms of brain injury, how they can affect an individual's behavior, and how to provide the support they need.
Presenters will provide an overview of brain injury signs and symptoms, the prevalence of brain injury in justice-involved youth, and simple tools and strategies you and the justice-involved youth can utilize to minimize the effects of brain injury once it is identified through a screening process.