Electronic Letters to:
|
|
eLetters: Electronic letters published:
-
![[Read eLetter]](/icons/misc/sectionDOWN.gif)
ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY AND YOUNG OFFENDERS
- Rafey A Faruqui, Dr. Jaume Morrey-Canellas, Consultant in Developmental Neuropsychiatry, St. Andrew's Hospital, Northampton (15 June 2006)
|
|
|||
|
Rafey A Faruqui, Consultant Neuropsychiatrist St. Andrew's Hospital, Northampton NN1 5DG, Dr. Jaume Morrey-Canellas, Consultant in Developmental Neuropsychiatry, St. Andrew's Hospital, Northampton
Send letter to journal:
Rfaruqui{at}standrew.co.uk Rafey A Faruqui, et al.
|
Chitsabesan et al (2006) have reported that 1 in 5 young offenders were also identified as having a learning disability with an IQ of less than 70. They have also found a high level of mental health needs amongst this group. It remains a curious question whether a low IQ and mental health needs in some cases may be associated with acquired brain injury (ABI). This useful study has missed the opportunity to assess the association between acquired brain injury (ABI) and offending in this group of young offenders. Brower & Price (2001) in their review of neuropsychiatry of frontal lobe dysfunction in violent and criminal behaviour, have reported high rates of neuropsychiatric abnormalities in persons with violent and criminal behaviour, and have suggested an association between aggressive dyscontrol and brain injury, especially involving the frontal lobes. Hawley (2003) has reported higher levels of behavioural and school problems amongst children and adolescents after traumatic brain injury (TBI). In another study on the prevalence of TBI in 69 randomly selected inmates, Slaughter et al (2003) have reported that 60% of their sample reported TBI over their lifetime and 36% reported TBI in the prior year. The authors have concluded that the later group had significantly worse anger and aggression scores and had a trend towards poorer cognitive test results and a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders than the group without TBI in the prior year. Simpson et al (1999) have reported sex offending as a significantly likely problem amongst a minority of men after TBI. Our experience indicates that a significant proportion of referrals to our services originate from prison services and that ABI can be an important clinical concern amongst patients admitted to an adolescent secure learning disability service. We feel that it is important that future studies on the issue of mental health needs amongst offenders also take into account the history and impact of acquired brain injury. This may help in formulating more comprehensive management strategies to address unmet needs and offending behaviour. Declaration of Interest: None References: Brower, M. C., Price, B.H. (2001) Neuropsychiatry of frontal lobe dysfunction in violent and criminal behaviour: a critical review. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 71, 720-726 Chitsabesan, P., Kroll, L., Bailey, S. et al (2006) Mental health needs of young offenders in custody and in the community. British Journal of Psychiatry, 188, 534-540. Hawley, C. A. (2003) Reported problems and their resolution following mild, moderate and severe traumatic brain injury amongst children and adolescents in the UK. Brain Injury, 17 (2), 105-129. Simpson, G., Blaszczynski, A., Hodgkinson, A. (1999) Sex offending as a psychosocial sequel of traumatic brain injury. J Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 14 (6), 567-580. Slauughter, B., Fann, J. R., Ehde, D. (2003) Traumatic brain injury in a county jail population: prevalence, neuropsychological functioning and psychiatric disorders. Brain Injury, 17 (9), 731-741. Dr Rafey A. Faruqui MBBS, MSc, MRCPsych Consultant Neuropsychiatrist, National Centre for Brain Injury Rehabilitation St. Andrew’s Hospital Northampton NN1 5DG Rfaruqui@standrew.co.uk Dr Jaume Morrey-Canellas LMS, MSc Psychiatry, MRCPsych Consultant in Developmental Neuropsychiatry Malcolm Arnold House St. Andrew’s Hospital, Northampton NNi 5DG |
|||