Two weeks ago, we were delighted to deliver another successful panel discussion to 42 attendees, focusing on a recent report into Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) amongst women in the criminal justice system (CJS).
Report authors, Dr Hope Kent and Professor Stan Gilmour, were joined by Dr Annmarie Burns, Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist, to discuss the ‘silent epidemic’ of ABI across the female prison estate.
Those attending heard that 60% of women in the CJS had suffered some form of domestic abuse, typically consisting of frequent blows to the head and non-fatal strangulation. Too often, ABI sat unnamed inside the language of ‘complex needs’, meaning it remained unrecognised and misread. Women with ABI therefore struggled to engage with rehabilitative programmes, experienced greater social difficulties and were, ultimately, more likely to re-offend.
Speakers recommended a ‘whole system approach’ in order to better support such women, including better access to brain injury training and resources for those working in the CJS, structured custodial interventions and strategies to minimise and overcome the risks of their release.
PAS remains most grateful to Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, who kindly supported the event.