When people in California suffer a traumatic brain injury, their entire way of seeing things, processing information and making decisions is altered. Often, they are required to relearn several habits and behaviors that were previously basic or innate. While family members and friends may do their best to provide consistent support and encouragement, brain-injured individuals often have to receive intervention of some sort to assist them in learning how to cope and thrive despite the changes they have experienced.
A recent research study in Colorado has revealed some intriguing results after nearly 4,200 inmates were screened for brain injuries. Researchers found that a shocking 54 percent of all of those who were surveyed had some level of a traumatic brain injury. In comparison, only 8 percent of the general population suffer from TBI. To decipher whether or not participants were indeed victims of a TBI and to assess how severe each case was, researchers asked a series of questions regarding each inmate’s history. The study focused solely on those who were victims of domestic violence, victims in serious car accidents and those who had been in a coma in the past.
The findings create a new perspective for researchers and leads others to question the behavior of inmates in the past. Experts did not use the prevalence of brain injuries as an excuse for the illegal behavior of the inmates but acknowledged that their previous injuries may have been an added risk in their behavior patterns. With a new program in place to help support these individuals and provide them with necessary therapy and counseling, the hope is to prevent future bad behavior from happening.
If people are suffering from a traumatic brain injury and are facing a potential legal battle, they may wish to hire an attorney who can provide knowledgeable guidance and pointed expertise.
Source: The Denver Post, “54 percent of surveyed inmates in Colorado had serious brain injuries. This program aims to keep them from returning to crime,” Jennifer Brown, Apr. 13, 2018
