The Banksia Hill Detention Centre Study: Translation of Justice Health Research into Action

Justice-involved populations are at increased risk of compromised social and cultural determinants of health, resulting in them having reduced control over their health and wellbeing. Our Banksia Hill Detention Centre study investigated the prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and neurodevelopmental difficulties among sentenced youth in Western Australia. Using comprehensive, multidisciplinary clinical assessments, we identified that 89% of young people had a neurodevelopmental impairment in the severe range, and 36% had FASD. Through investigation of workforce capabilities and training needs, we identified multiple system failures in supporting young people’s health and wellbeing.

Since completion of our study there have been ongoing calls for action across youth justice systems nationally, with changes to practice, policy and legislation needed across multiple sectors. All too often, translation of research is limited and the gap between research and policy and practice remains wide. Approaches that consider research translation at multiple levels are needed to move beyond simply documenting vulnerabilities of justice-involved populations, to undertaking coordinated actions that enable health and wellbeing, nurture desistance and ultimately sustain health and community safety. This presentation will provide an overview of our study and its translation, in the hope of assisting other justice health researchers and practitioners to consider how they can plan for impact in their own work.