The prevalence of traumatic brain injury in a Scottish prison

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is disproportionately prevalent within custodial populations, and research within Scottish prisons represents a developing field. This research estimated the prevalence of TBI among men admitted to a Scottish prison and examined associated clinical and psychosocial factors to inform healthcare and rehabilitation provision. Routine data were extracted from Vision, the prison’s electronic health record system, for all men admitted between 1–31 May 2025, with structured keyword searches conducted to identify documented TBI history. A structured data tool captured admission type, age, TBI history and cause, existing diagnoses, substance misuse, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Descriptive statistics were used to calculate prevalence, and chi-square analyses examined associations between TBI, diagnoses, and ACEs. A TBI prevalence of 61.9% was identified. Assault was the most frequently reported cause, followed by multiple mechanisms of injury, and falls from height. TBI was significantly associated with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and exposure to ACEs. These findings highlight the complexity of healthcare needs within this population and support the need for systematic identification and targeted intervention in prison settings.