Estimates of people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in the adult prison population are as high as 50 to 80 per cent
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term used to describe the range of disabilities that result from prenatal alcohol exposure. It is the leading known cause of developmental disability in Canada.
The serious health, social and economic impacts of FASD are now being recognized. In the province of Alberta, for example, it’s estimated that half of all children in care have FASD; one study has estimated that half of all young offenders have the disability as well. FASD is also widespread among inmates in Canadian prisons. Although research suggests that up to half of the prison population has FASD, little has been done within corrections to address this problem.
At a recent seminar held in Edmonton, members of the legal system and the judiciary discussed issues related to FASD and the justice system, and the challenges of dealing with these cases within the confines of current laws.
We speak with Teresa O’Riordon of Northwest Central Alberta FASD Network.
