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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is a neurodevelopmental disability that effects an individual’s social, physical, cognitive, and behavioral development. These adverse outcomes can prompt vulnerability and susceptibility to involvement with the criminal justice system. Individuals with FASD are significantly overrepresented within correctional settings.

According to The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, approximately 60 percent of adolescents and adults with FASD reported exposure with the legal system, and 35 percent reported being incarcerated for a crime. Others have indicated that youth with FASD are 19 times more likely to have trouble with the law compared with those without FASD. Once involved in the justice system, offenders with FASD may also have difficulties comprehending the purposes and processes of legal proceedings. Researchers have described several FASD-related challenges that may be especially relevant to sentencing offenders with FASD, including difficulties linking punishment to crime, compromised ability to instruct counsel, risk of being taken advantage of in prisons, trouble with differentiating right from wrong, and risk of being influenced by someone else in committing the crime.

Presenter Dr. Jerrod Brown Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS) and the Editor-in-Chief of Forensic Scholars Today (FST). Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to FASD, amongst a plethora of others.