Traumatic Brain Injury Among Newly Admitted Adolescents in the New York City Jail System

Abstract Purpose Relatively little is known about the prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) among adolescents who come into contact with the criminal justice system. Methods We undertook screening for TBI among newly admitted adolescents in the New York City jail system using a validated TBI sc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of adolescent health 2014-05, Vol.54 (5), p.615-617
Main Authors: Kaba, Fatos, M.A, Diamond, Pamela, Ph.D, Haque, Alpha, M.S, MacDonald, Ross, M.D, Venters, Homer, M.D., M.S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescents
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Biological and medical sciences
Brain Injuries - epidemiology
Criminal justice
Criminal justice system
Female
Health Status
Humans
Incidence
Injuries of the nervous system and the skull. Diseases due to physical agents
Injury Severity Score
Jail
Juvenile Delinquency - statistics & numerical data
Male
Medical sciences
New York City
Organic mental disorders. Neuropsychology
Pediatrics
Prevalence
Prisoners - statistics & numerical data
Prisons
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Screening
Sex Factors
Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents
Traumatic brain injury
Violence
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Summary:Abstract Purpose Relatively little is known about the prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) among adolescents who come into contact with the criminal justice system. Methods We undertook screening for TBI among newly admitted adolescents in the New York City jail system using a validated TBI screening tool. A convenience sample of 300 male and 84 female screenings was examined. Results Screening revealed that 50% of male and 49% of female adolescents enter jail with a history of TBI. Incidence of TBI was assessed using patient health records, and revealed an incidence of 3,107 TBI per 100,000 person-years. Conclusions Elevated prevalence and incidence of TBI among incarcerated adolescents may relate to criminal justice involvement as well as friction in jail. Given the large representation of violence as a cause of TBI among our patients, we have begun focus groups with them to elicit meaningful strategies for living with and avoiding TBI.
ISSN:1054-139X
1879-1972
DOI:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.12.013