Understanding the educational needs of young offenders: A prevalence study of traumatic brain injury and learning disabilities

Winnie Nkoana, Huw Williams, Nina Steenkamp, Betony Clasby, Helen Knowler and Leigh Schrieff

International Journal of Educational Development, 2020, vol. 78, issue C

Abstract: Offenders in custody are often disadvantaged in terms of education. Research shows that providing and improving education in custody can help reduce the possibility of recidivism and high crime rates in young offenders. Among various factors that can impact on youth’s ability to engage effectively with education in custody, prevalence rates of neurodisabilities such as learning disabilities and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) remain high. Young offenders with neurodisabilities may present with various developmental, cognitive, intellectual, social functioning, language and communication deficits, that may impact on learner-teacher relationships and learning acquisition. For the purpose of this paper, we focused on learning disabilities and TBI given high prevalence rates for these neurodisabilities reported in the literature. We also report on general intellectual functioning given the association with specific learning disabilities. Despite contextual vulnerabilities, there is a dearth of literature on neurodisabilities and its associated impact on education for young offenders in South Africa.

Keywords: Learning disabilities; South Africa; Traumatic brain injuries; Young offenders; Neurodevelopmental disabilities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:injoed:v:78:y:2020:i:c:s073805932030420x

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2020.102261

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