Traumatic Brain Injury Prevalence: Indiana Department of Correction Prisoner Population

Abstract

In Indiana, there is currently no systematic screening for traumatic brain injury (TBI) among incarcerated populations; however, a recent analysis conducted by researchers at the Indiana University Public Policy Institute (PPI) of baseline TBI screening data, collected in fall 2012 by the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC), suggests that nearly 36 percent of offenders in Indiana facilities reported some form of TBI during their lifetime.

This issue brief summarizes the results of the Indiana baseline data analysis, as well as research findings from other states and at the national level, on the prevalence of TBI among incarcerated populations. The brief concludes with a discussion of recommended best practices for diagnosing and treating TBI both pre- and post-release from prison, including recommended next steps for addressing this issue in Indiana.