This study aims to establish the current knowledge, attitudes, experiences and practices regarding FASD and other neurodevelopmental impairments among youth custodial officers. Custodial officers in the only youth detention centre in WA were invited to participate in a survey. Results showed that many respondents had heard of FASD (77%) and understood it is relevant to the justice system (74%), however limited in-depth FASD knowledge existed. Many respondents were unsure or unaware that FASD is permanent brain damage (53%) and cannot be outgrown (57%). Researchers concluded that a lack of specific knowledge, inadequate training to recognise and manage young people with neurodevelopmental impairments, and inconsistent information-sharing processes reduce the ability of the custodial workforce to care for young people with FASD and other neurodevelopmental impairments.
Publication: International Journal of Law and Psychiatry. Volume 59
Date: July-August 2018
Authors: Hayley M Passmore, Raewyn C Mutch, Sharyn Burns, Rochelle Watkins, Jonathan Carapetis, Guy Hall, Carol Bower.