Brain injury and the criminal justice system: uncovering the facts

The Spring 2015 edition of Brain Injury News focuses on a subject that has begun to attract increasing attention in recent years – the link between brain injury and criminal behaviour.

There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that children who survive a traumatic brain injury are likely to have both behavioural and communication problems as they move into adulthood of the type that increase their chances of offending.  It’s also the case that the vulnerabilities of people affected by brain injury might find themselves within the criminal justice system as a victim of or witness to a crime.

Issue 5 of Brain Injury News includes an article by leading academic Professor Huw Williams, Associate Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology and co-director of the Centre for Clinical Neuropsychology Research at Exeter University.  He has pursued research studies into links between traumatic brain injury and offending, and this article looks specifically at youth offending and the implications for the criminal justice system.

Louise Wilkinson of the Child Brain Injury Trust also has a particular interest in the field, and considers how the education system must put in place measures to identify and support children affected by mild to moderate acquired brain injury in order to prevent then descending into offending behaviour.

Barrister Laura Begley of 9 Gough Square chambers is one of the leading experts on the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme and looks at the changes made in the 2012 revised scheme, and Registered Intermediary and specialist brain injury occupational therapist Louise Sheffield looks at the support available to vulnerable witnesses in Court through the intermediary scheme.

Brain Injury Group member firm Darbys considers the support offered to brain injured defendants in the system and finds it sadly lacking.

Collectively the features demonstrate that greater awareness of the ‘silent epidemic’ of brain injury is desperately needed, as is greater connectivity between the rehabilitation offered by health service and the rehabilitation of offenders – always assuming that the underlying causes of some offending behaviours has been recognised and acknowledged.

Our free magazine, published three times a year, started life as a resource primarily directed at health and social care professionals with the intention of sharing information and best practice.  However, it’s intended to be just as accessible to other people involved with brain injured individuals, including their families and carers.

The current – and previous – editions of Brain Injury News are available to download from our website here. Anyone can register to receive Brain Injury News direct into their inbox or through the post simply by registering online here.