Traumatic Brain Injury in Community Corrections: Prevalence and Differences in Compliance and Long-Term Outcomes Among Men and Women on Probation

• Author: Hollis Lyman,Cory Marchi,Molly Standeven,Emily Goodwin,Kim A. Gorgens,Judy Dettmer,Laura Meyer
• Date: 01 December 2021
• DOI: 10.1177/00938548211010316
• Published date: 01 December 2021
• Subject Matter: Articles

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND BEHAVIOR, 2021, Vol. 48, No. 12, December 2021, 1679 –1693.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00938548211010316

Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions

© 2021 International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology

1679

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY IN COMMUNITY

CORRECTIONS

Prevalence and Differences in Compliance and

Long-Term Outcomes Among Men and Women

on Probation

KIM A. GORGENS

LAURA MEYER

University of Denver

JUDY DETTMER

National Association of State Head Injury Administrators

MOLLY STANDEVEN

EMILY GOODWIN

CORY MARCHI

HOLLIS LYMAN

University of Denver

There are 4.5 million adults in community corrections (e.g., probation and parole), nearly twice the number of people incar-

cerated in jails and prisons combined. Research suggests that more than half of men in jail have experienced at least one

traumatic brain injury (TBI). Very little is known about TBI history in probation. This study reviewed TBI history, cognitive

and psychosocial data, and judicial records. Results showed that 47% of persons on probation report TBI. People on probation

with TBI also had comorbid behavioral health conditions like mental illness, substance abuse, trauma history, and attempted

suicide. They were more likely to be determined to be high risk by probation officers, had a higher rate of felony convictions,

had lower rates of successful probation completion, and were significantly more likely to re-offend. Attention to responsivity

factors like TBI may help probation provide accommodations that support successful engagement in probation and treatment.

Keywords: probation; recidivism; community corrections; community supervision; risk-need-responsivity

AUTHORS’ NOTE: This research was supported in part by the Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab of the

University of Denver. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not represent the views of the

Colorado Lab or the University of Denver. This project was also supported in part by Grant H21MC17232 from

the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC

20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their

findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official

Administration for Community Living policy. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to

Kim A. Gorgens, Graduate School of Professional Psychology, University of Denver, 2450 South Vine Street,

MSC 4101, Denver, CO 80208; e-mail: Kimberly.Gorgens@du.edu.

1010316CJBXXX10.1177/00938548211010316Criminal Justice and BehaviorGorgens et al. / TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY IN COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS

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