“ Many participants described RCBI as a‘ light bulb moment’ when they realized that challenges with memory, attention, impulsivity or emotional regulation could be related to a brain injury rather than a personal failing. The most surprising part wasn’ t just how many participants had undiagnosed brain injuries, it was seeing what happened when they finally understood them.”
35 %
Issue 35.4 FALL 2026
Participants believed something was fundamentally wrong with them because of their injury symptoms, Parrott said.
“ Learning that these challenges had a neurological explanation gave them a new way of understanding themselves and motivated them to engage in treatment,” she said.“ Watching that shift reinforced our belief that identifying a brain injury is only meaningful if it’ s followed by education, rehabilitation and support.”
Anthony Laffoon, MA, an IU School of Medicine researcher who assisted Parrott, said traumatic brain injury among incarcerated people has been studied in the past, but this team’ s trial is the first to offer intervention both prior to and after release from prison and track results in this manner.
The trial was done in partnership with the Indiana Department of Correction, with grant support and oversight from the U. S. Department of Justice. It was funded by the National Institute of Justice.
“ Many participants described RCBI as a‘ light bulb moment’ when they realized that challenges with memory, attention, impulsivity or emotional regulation could be related to a brain injury rather than a personal failing. The most surprising part wasn’ t just how many participants had undiagnosed brain injuries, it was seeing what happened when they finally understood them.”
THE INTERVENTION
The Re-entry Continuum for Brain Injury( RCBI) program provided incarcerated individuals with:
Education on brain injuries
THE RESULTS
RETURNED TO PRISON A lower percentage of participants returned to prison after release.
17 % control group
46 %
“ This work provides critical evidence that targeted support for justice-involved individuals with brain injuries is a winning strategy,” said Dawn Neumann, PhD, co-author on the study and a former IU School of Medicine researcher who is now manager of brain injury research at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute at Hackensack Meridian Health in Edison, New Jersey.“ I hope this research serves as a clear call for policy and practice changes.”
Parrott stressed that traumatic brain injuries in prisons represent a public health issue worthy of further large-scale study.
“ By identifying TBI, delivering effective treatment and connecting people with specialized supports, we have an opportunity to improve lives, strengthen public safety and reduce the long-term costs of incarceration,” she said. g
Coping skills training
Anger and aggression management
12 months of post-release neuro case management with RCBI support
RE-ARRESTED A lower percentage of participants were re-arrested after release.
43 %
with RCBI support
CRIMINAL JUSTICE EXPENSES Lower incarceration and arrest rates.
35 %
drop in related criminal justice expenses
saving taxpayer money
control group
86 %
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