ADHD and the Criminal Justice System

Despite the continuing controversies surrounding ADHD, voluminous research has incontrovertibly established that it is a valid disorder that results in an increased risk for adverse outcomes in multiple areas of life. One of these is increased risk of criminal behavior. An astounding 25 percent of young adult males who are incarcerated in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Western countries have ADHD. Treatment of individuals with ADHD with stimulant medication can result in a 31% reduction in their criminal behavior and a 43% reduction in violent crime in offenders after release from prison. However, despite the widespread prevalence of ADHD and the remarkable effectiveness of its treatment on reducing crime, the systematic identification and treatment of ADHD in the criminal justice system is virtually non-existent. This is the first book written for professionals in the criminal justice system to help them better understand and work with people who have ADHD. It will provide criminal justice professionals with what they need to know about ADHD based on the best of current science. This knowledge will serve to significantly enhance their effectiveness in working with the 25% of offenders who have ADHD.