Traumatic brain injury among young offenders in France. Results of the Fleury TBI study

Abstract

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of TBI in a French prison population of young offenders and to study variables known to be associated with TBI. All young offenders (from 13 to 21) consecutively admitted to Fleury-Mérogis prison over a period of 3 months were included in the study. During the admission procedure, young offenders were interviewed by healthcare staff using a self-reported questionnaire. Comparisons between cases (history of TBI) and controls (no history of TBI) were performed. In all, 332 young offenders were included. The rate of self-reported TBI was high, with a prevalence of 24.5%. The first cause of TBI was violence-related outcomes (25%) and the majority of TBIs were sustained during adolescence (44/80). The first TBI occurred before the first imprisonment in 73/80 case (92.3%). Cases and controls were of the same age ( P = .19). Both had had their first contact with the prison around 18 ( P = .96). No differences were found regarding the number of times in custody and the total time spent in jail during the preceding five years ( P = .11 and P = .16, respectively). Young offenders who reported a TBI significantly accumulate multiple health problems including mental health problems (16.3%; P = .002) and a regular use of cannabis (28.7%; P = .02). These results provide further evidence that specific measures need to be developed such as, first of all, screening for TBI and related impairments upon arrival in prison. They are of a major interest to prevent re-offending among young people.