Presenters:

Catherine Cerulli, JD, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY

Christie Petrenko, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist and Researcher, Mt. Hope Family Center, Rochester, NY

The term fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) refers to the wide range of physical, behavioral, and cognitive impairments that occur due to alcohol exposure before birth (also known as prenatal alcohol exposure). FASDs can have lifelong effects, including problems with behavior and learning as well as physical problems.

The few studies that have identified incarcerated individuals with FASD estimate that the number of undiagnosed persons in correctional facilities is high. Based on available Canadian data, this study estimates that youths with FASD are 19 times more likely to be incarcerated than youths without FASD in a given year. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6973953/#:~:text=The%20few%20studies%20that%20have,FASD%20in%20a%20given%20year.)