Insight
Although head injury is particularly common among prisoners, it was recognised that awareness of this was very low among decision makers. We worked with British Psychological Society to raise this awareness and secure funding for a study on existing screening and rehabilitation for prisoners with head injuries.
Idea
Using a combination of stakeholder support, media activity and cross party MSP advocacy, we highlighted the link between head injury and offending behaviour. Crucially, we identified the measures required to address the low levels of neuro-rehabilitation in Scottish prisons, focusing on how preventative spending would benefit the public through reduced offending.
Impact
In June 2017, the Scottish Government awarded funding to examine the practicality/validity of introducing screening tools for head injury in prisoners and establishing links with local brain injury and neuropsychology services.
This campaign won Gold in the public affairs category at the 2017 CIPR PRide Awards.
