Fetal alcohol syndrome in the United States corrections system

Abstract

Prenatal alcohol exposure can result in fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which may increase the risk of confinement in the corrections system. In the United States each state and four major cities' corrections systems were asked to complete a questionnaire on the prevalence of FAS and alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) in the offender population, the availability of screening and diagnostic services to identify offenders with FAS and staff training needs related to FAS. The total population in the 54 entities was 3,080,904 inmates. Completed questionnaires were obtained from 42 entities (78%). The mean rate of reported substance abuse in offenders was 60.1%. Specialized programs for persons with mental retardation were reported for 44.4% of corrections facilities and 25.9% of community corrections facilities. Programs for pregnant women were reported for 46.3% of corrections facilities and 29.6% of community facilities. One program (1.9%) reported having a screening program for FAS in the corrections system. Only four programs (7.4%) reported having access to diagnostic services for FAS in the corrections facilities. Of the 3,080,904 offenders, only one offender was reported to have a diagnosis of FAS. Reported staff training needs were very large. In conclusion, corrections systems have high unmet needs to screen, identify, and treat offenders with FAS and ARND. Staff training needs are substantial.

Psychosocial Outcomes of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in Adulthood

“…The rates of convicted crimes were similar to the comparison group, and contradict previous studies showing that it is common for adults with FASD to get into trouble with the law. 38 Noteworthy is that a previous report 16 showed that receiving a FAS diagnosis at a younger age may be a protective factor against development of secondary disabilities. In the current study, it should be emphasized that all subjects in the study group had fullblown FAS, whereas none of them had alcohol-related neurobehavioral problems.…”

Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of health, education, and service professionals as related to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

“…Significant between-group differences revealed that correctional personnel had significantly lower knowledge and public health nurses had significantly higher knowledge. Relative to correctional personnel, the impact of this lower level of knowledge may be critical as many high-risk individuals have contact with the correctional system (Burd et al 2004;Streissguth et al 1996) and overall prevalence of FASD is higher in correctional settings than in the general population (Burd et al 2004). The cognitive deficits associated with FASD, including impaired judgment, memory problems, and difficulty in planning may contribute to individuals' involvement with the correctional system and limit their ability to follow rules and regulations set forth by this complex system.…”

Prenatal alcohol exposure as a risk factor for dysfunctional behaviors: the role of the pediatrician

“…Os efeitos da exposição pré-natal ao álcool foram relatados pela primeira vez por Lemoine et Em uma revisão extensa da literatura, Boland et al 20 sugeriram que a relação entre a FASD e a delinqüência pode Burd et al 26 …”