Disability Rights & Advocacy Resources

Video

Criminal Justice/Adult – Video

The issue of Traumatic Brain Injury in prisons and jails is big enough that the CDC recognizes it as an important public health problem. Within five years after an injury, nearly one-third report some involvement with the criminal justice system. In the adult criminal justice system 50-80% have had a Traumatic Brain Injury (as compared with 8.5% in the general population. People with a TBI are 14 times more likely to incur a serious charge and 12 times less likely to achieve a discretionary release. Having a TBI increases the risk of recidivism by 69%. It is believed that close to 100% of women in the justice system have a history of TBI – much of these injuries are due to domestic violence.