In addition, the report adds to the body of evidence suggesting that people who have sustained a TBI face an increased risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system. According to the researchers, as many as 60% of adult offenders in the UK have sustained a TBI.
Peter McCabe, Chief Executive of Headway, said: “We already know the devastating human impact a brain injury can have on individuals and families, but this research provides a stark reminder of the significant financial consequences to the UK economy.
“The frustration is that this cost could be reduced if people were given access to appropriate and specialist rehabilitation and support in their communities, such as that provided by Headway groups and branches across the UK.
“Without that support, which is increasingly under threat due to cuts to local authority budgets, people affected by brain injury will find it harder to regain independence and may therefore be more reliant on costly state support.”
The report also focused on the prevalence of brain injury in offender populations.
Peter said: “There is a clear evidence that brain injury is over-represented in the criminal justice system and this needs addressing.
“It is vital that all agencies better identify brain injury at the earliest possible stage in the criminal justice system. Doing so can ensure that people receive appropriate support – whether perpetrators, victims or witnesses of crime.
“More must be done to provide prisoners living with brain injury with rehabilitation and support services to help reduce reoffending behaviour.
“It’s also worth remembering that rehabilitation can often be more effective than incarceration.”
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