As a Houston brain injury attorney, I found this report fascinating reading.  The report titled Traumatic Brain Injury among Prisoners underscores the high incidence of traumatic brain injury in the prison population in the United States, and points to some possible reasons for this.

According to the report, approximately 25% to 87% of inmates in American prisons have a history of brain injury, compared to just 8% of the general non-incarcerated population.  Persons seem to have a much higher risk of suffering traumatic brain injury in prison.

Most of these injuries are caused by assaults in prison.  Auto accidents and sports injuries are other common causes of TBI among prisoners.  However, there are other factors that can increase the risks of TBI in prisoners.  For instance, in some prisons, new inmates are initiated through a procedure called “pumpkin head.”  This involves prisoners beating up a person until his head literally swells up like a pumpkin.  Not surprisingly, the person may be left with serious traumatic brain injuries as a result.  Also, persons who are in isolated cells may have a higher risk of brain injury because of their practice of beating their heads against the walls of the cell.

None of these brain injuries will mean long-term disability.  However, there is reason to be concerned about the incidence of brain injury among prisoners because they often lead to behavioral and cognitive difficulties in these persons.  They suffer from emotional and psychological problems, like depression.  They may also have a much higher risk of substance abuse when they get out of prison.

Vuk Vujasinovic is a Board Certified Houston personal injury attorney who practices Houston auto accident and other personal injury cases.

For more info on how Vuk can help you with your potential case please call him at (877) 724-7800 or fill out the contact form on the right.

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