Brain Injury in Justice-Involved Youth: Findings and Implications for Juvenile Service Professionals

Authors

  • Drew Nagele Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in the School of Professional and Applied Psychology Author
  • Monica Vaccaro Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania Author
  • M.J. Schmidt Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania Author
  • Julie Meyers Bureau of Family Health, Traumatic Brain Injury programs Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52935/21.1417512.05

Abstract

It is well-established that the prevalence of brain injury among justice-involved populations is significantly greater than that of the general population. From 2014-2018, a demonstration project was conducted in two juvenile detention centers in southeastern PA. Its core strategy was to identify youth with history of brain injury; determine their neurocognitive barriers to successful re-entry; and create release plans including connections to appropriate resources. 489 youth participated. They were screened for brain injury utilizing the Ohio State University Traumatic Brain Injury Identification Method, and those who screened positive, were assessed utilizing standardized measures of memory and executive functioning. Results indicated that 49% had history of brain injury, with an average of 2.59 injuries per youth. 62% of injuries did not involve a loss of consciousness, and two-thirds never sought treatment for their injury. A history of repetitive blows to the head was also common, and often caused by violence. 147 youth were subsequently evaluated for cognitive impairment. 57% showed evidence of significant cognitive impairment, with the most common impairments being working memory, behavioral regulation, and delayed recall of novel information. Resources included referrals to brain injury school re-entry programs, vocational rehabilitation, and medical rehabilitation.

Author Biographies

  • Drew Nagele, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in the School of Professional and Applied Psychology

    Dr. Drew Nagele is trained as a NeuroRehabilitation Psychologist and is currently a Clinical Professor at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in the School of Professional and Applied Psychology. He teaches courses on Neuropsychology, Cognitive Rehabilitation, and Neuropathology. His research interests include developing programs for people who have sustained brain injury where the injury may not have been obvious or diagnosed. This includes people with anoxic brain injury from unintentional opioid overdose, brain injury among adults in corrections, and now youth with brain injury in juvenile justice. He and his colleagues have recently published work on the Under-Identification of students with long term disability from moderate to severe TBI: Analysis of causes and potential remedies.

  • Monica Vaccaro, Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania

    Monica Vaccaro is the Director of Programs for the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIAPA). In this role, she provides oversight and direction to multiple programs including the Brain Injury Resource Line, the Pennsylvania Juvenile Detention, and the BrainSTEPS School Re-Entry Program. Ms. Vaccaro more than 25 years of experience working with individuals with brain injury and their families as a clinician in medical rehabilitation. In addition to her role with BIAPA, she is a Research Associate at Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute, with particular interest in clinical trials of interventions for common effects of brain injury, including anger management, depression, and goal setting.

  • M.J. Schmidt, Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania

    MJ Schmidt is the Training and Outreach Coordinator for the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania. She is also Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer. She is a graduate of the University of Richmond with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Women’s Studies and of Southern Illinois University, with a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Administration and Services. MJ serves as chair of the non-profit Council on Brain Injury. Her research interests include brain injury in justice-involved populations, brain injury in older adults, and prognostic communication and family education after brain injury.

  • Julie Meyers, Bureau of Family Health, Traumatic Brain Injury programs

    Julie Myers is the Program Administrator for the Bureau of Family Health's Traumatic Brain Injury programs. She is involved in several grant projects involving education and training for TBI, school reentry, and neuroresource facilitation. Her background includes teaching, public health research and education, and conducting training and outreach. She serves on the Board Logistics and Support Team for Pennsylvania's Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board. She is a graduate of Penn State College of Medicine with a Master of Public Health in Health Systems Organization and Policy.

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Published

01/01/2021

Issue

Vol. 35 No. 1 (2021): JAJJS 2021 Issue

Section

Articles

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How to Cite

Brain Injury in Justice-Involved Youth: Findings and Implications for Juvenile Service Professionals. (2021). Journal of Applied Juvenile Justice Services, 35(1), 73-88. https://doi.org/10.52935/21.1417512.05