In this webinar, Prof Mark Bellgrove and special guest Dr Edward Petch discuss ADHD and the justice system including mental disorders in prison.
The prevalence of ADHD in the correctional system is much higher than in the general population. ADHD is estimated to be 5 times higher among youth prisoners and 10 times higher among adult prisoners.
If ADHD symptoms are left untreated, the symptoms can create unnecessary challenges in prisons and juvenile facilities. It is important for clinicians working in correctional settings to be aware of the high prevalence of ADHD, including how to identify, diagnose and safely provide treatment and support to people in the correctional system who have ADHD. Given the high prevalence of ADHD in people in the correctional system, custodial staff and those within the criminal justice system (e.g. police, magistrates) should receive ADHD awareness training.
About Dr Petch
Dr Petch is a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist to Hakea Prison, a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Western Australia and a director of Nulsen Group.
With qualifications in medicine, neuroanatomy, psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, criminology, business administration and corporate governance, Dr Petch’s experience in the field of psychiatry is comprehensive.
He has held roles in high-security hospitals, medium-secure units, open wards, forensic outreach teams, community-based settings and in both maximum and category B and C prisons. His work has also provided him with experience in providing comprehensive psychiatric reports, and he has regularly appeared to give evidence in a range of court and tribunal settings.
Dr Petch was also Co-Chair of the Australian Evidence-Based Guideline for ADHD Guideline Development Group.
