Each year five thousand offenders leave the Indiana prison system to return to the streets of Marion County where the recidivism rate may be as high as 30 percent.
A recent survey has determined that one out of every ten of those returning offenders may be suffering the aftereffects of traumatic brain injury [TBI] and that could be the explanation for their difficulties living in a law-abiding society.
Marion County Corrections Officials have begun using PACE screeners help connect clients with social and rehabilitation agencies to teach coping skills or even provide medication to overcome the effects of TBI.
Based on Marion County’s success, the program will soon be expanded to Allen County and into Indiana prisons where corrections officials will be taught to recognize TBI in an inmate and tailor responses to help that offender serve time and stay out of trouble.