Fast Diane K, Conry Julianne
BC's Children's Hospital and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Dev Disabil Res Rev. 2009;15(3):250-7. doi: 10.1002/ddrr.66.
The life-long neurological impairments found in people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), including learning disabilities, impulsivity, hyperactivity, social ineptness, and poor judgment, can increase susceptibility to victimization and involvement in the criminal justice system (CJS). Individuals with FASDs become involved in the CJS as complainants, witnesses, and accused. Their disabilities, resulting from the prenatal alcohol exposure, must be considered at all stages in the legal process. Adverse experiences, such as having a dysfunctional family background, mental health problems, and substance use disorders, are compounding factors. Experiencing physical, sexual, and emotional abuse also increases the risk that these individuals will become involved in the CJS. It is critical that everyone involved in the CJS receives education and training to understand FASD and the implications for the individual offender. A comprehensive medical-legal report, prepared by professionals experienced with FASD, can help judges and lawyers understand the complex interactions among brain damage, genetics and the environment. Corrections workers and probation officers need to comprehend the significance of FASD and how it affects the offender's abilities to understand and follow rules and probation orders. Caregivers and parents need to be involved whenever possible. Early recognition of the disabilities associated with FASDs may help reduce the over-representation of this group in the CJS.
胎儿酒精谱系障碍（FASDs）患者存在终身神经功能障碍，包括学习障碍、冲动、多动、社交能力欠缺和判断力差等，这些会增加他们成为受害者以及卷入刑事司法系统（CJS）的可能性。患有FASDs的个体以投诉人、证人及被告的身份卷入刑事司法系统。在法律程序的各个阶段都必须考虑到他们因产前酒精暴露而导致的残疾情况。诸如家庭功能失调、心理健康问题和物质使用障碍等不良经历是复合因素。遭受身体、性和情感虐待也会增加这些个体卷入刑事司法系统的风险。至关重要的是，刑事司法系统中的每一个相关人员都要接受教育和培训，以了解FASD及其对个体罪犯的影响。由有FASD经验的专业人员撰写的全面的医学-法律报告，有助于法官和律师理解脑损伤、基因与环境之间的复杂相互作用。惩教人员和缓刑监督官需要理解FASD的重要性以及它如何影响罪犯理解和遵守规则及缓刑命令的能力。只要有可能，护理人员和家长都需要参与进来。尽早识别与FASDs相关的残疾情况，可能有助于减少该群体在刑事司法系统中的过高比例。
