The Surprising Connection Between Brain Injuries and Crime

Gorgens, K. (2018, June) Kim Gorgens: The surprising connection between brain injuries and crime. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/kim_gorgens_the_surprising_connection_between_brain_injuries_and_crime#t-691411

I chose this topic because the brain is a fascinating organ and how it is wired is intriguing.
We all tick and respond and act a certain way. But what makes us us? After discussing TBIs in class, I decided to see what I could find and came across this TED Talk.

Kim Gorgens is a neuropsychologist that studies the connection between brain injuries, the revolving door of criminal justice, and the behaviors that keep people in that revolving door. She discovered a shocking 50 to 80 percent of inmates/probationers have a traumatic brain injury in the justice system and a staggering high percentage of those were in women. Coupled with mental illness, substance abuse, and trauma, brain injuries affect judgement and impulse control and cause cognitive impairments. Gorgens and her colleagues started doing assessments to see how each individuals brain worked to provide modifications for them to make. By using the assessment results, the chances of these individuals becoming functioning members of society again would greatly increase and have a safer environment.

As related to OT 537, judgement, impulse control, and cognitive impairments can all be associated with a sustained injury to the frontal lobe of the brain. Being more vulnerable to injury because of its location and size,  it is the most common region for TBIs. Impairment to this area can cause these deficits along with many more that can keep these inmates/probationers in the revolving door of the justice system. By identifying these issues, the individuals can take responsibility for their actions and work on bettering themselves mentally and emotionally. Accommodations can be made for these individuals by adapting and restoring their lives and being able to hold a job.