Research suggests that ADHD youths are vulnerable to committing crimes and that there is a disproportionately high proportion of individuals with ADHD involved with the criminal justice system. UK studies of offenders have indicated around 45% of youths and 24% of male adults screen positive for a childhood history of ADHD, 14% of whom have persisting symptoms in adulthood. Young people with persisting ADHD symptoms begin offending at a significantly younger age and more commonly re-offend. They find it difficult to control their behaviour in institutions and are therefore less likely to be eligible for early release. Although there are international guidelines available for the treatment of ADHD in young people and adults, these do not take into account the more complex and comprehensive interventions serious offenders with ADHD require, such as psychological interventions containing a prosocial competence component. Diagnosis and ongoing intervention should be offered to young people with ADHD who are excluded from school and/or come into contact with the criminal justice system, to try to reduce the risk of offending.
Keywords: ADHD, youth offending, recidivism, intervention, crime, prison