Exploring the relationship between ADHD symptoms and prison breaches of discipline amongst youths in four Scottish prisons

• Published in: Public health (London) 2012-04, Vol.126 (4), p.343-348
• Main Authors: Gordon, V, Williams, D.J, Donnelly, P.D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ADHD symptoms; Adolescent; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - epidemiology; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - psychology; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Breaches; Case-Control Studies; Discipline; Humans; Infectious Disease; Internal Medicine; Male; Prison; Prison discipline breaches; Prisoners - psychology; Prisons; Prisons - statistics & numerical data; Risk Factors; Scotland - epidemiology; Symptoms; Violence; Violence - psychology; Violence - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult; Young people; Youth
• ISSN: 0033-3506; 1476-5616
• DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2012.01.004

Summary Objective To explore the relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms (inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity) and violent and non-violent prison breaches of discipline in incarcerated male youths aged 18–21 years. Study design A case–control study of 169 male youth offenders incarcerated in Scottish prisons and classified as ‘symptomatic’ or ‘non-symptomatic’ of inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms. Methods ADHD symptoms were measured using the Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales – Self Report: Long Version, and prison breaches of discipline were gathered from the Scottish Prison Service’s Prisoner Records System. Results Youths who were symptomatic of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) ADHD total symptoms had a significantly higher number of prison breaches of discipline than those who were non-symptomatic. Youths who were symptomatic of DSM-IV hyperactive/impulsive symptoms had a significantly higher number of violent and non-violent prison breaches of discipline than those who were non-symptomatic. However, no such significant difference was found between youths who were symptomatic and non-symptomatic of DSM-IV inattentive symptoms. Conclusions Young male offenders who are symptomatic of ADHD have a higher number of prison breaches of discipline. In particular, symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity are associated with breaches of both a violent and non-violent nature. Implications of such symptoms on rehabilitation and recidivism are discussed.