Traumatic brain injuries and imprisonment linked, study suggests
A study of inmates at Christchurch women’s prison has found nearly every woman interviewed had a history of multiple traumatic brain injuries.
The study was cited by Dr Ian Lambie, the chief science advisor to the justice sector, who has published a discussion paper looking at the prevalence of head injuries in people who end up in courts and prisons.
People with brain injuries are over-represented in the justice system, and Dr Lambie said more could be done to deal with the problem.
The 2017 study by the University of Canterbury talked to 38 inmates from all security levels at Christchurch Women’s Prison.
All but two came back as having a history of more than one traumatic brain injury, a quarter of which were inflicted by a partner or parent.
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RNZ: Ben Strang, January 29, 2020
