We've written in this space before about the causes of traumatic brain injuries. These head injuries are caused most often by falls (35 percent), says the Centers for Disease Control, followed by car accidents (17 percent), struck-by events (16 percent) and assaults (10 percent).

New research shows that a whopping 60 percent of incarcerated adults have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) at some point in their lives. Compare that with the rest of the population, of which just 8.5 percent has gone through TBI. About two percent of the U.S. population has a form of disability due to a TBI.

Each year, approximately 1.7 million Americans suffers an injury disrupting brain activity and categorized as TBI.

Why is the extraordinarily TBI rate among prisoners noteworthy? Because TBI can alter behavior, emotions and control of impulses, making it not only more likely that a person will engage in activities that will land them behind bars, but once there, might well engage in behavior prolonging their stays.

More than two million people are currently incarcerated in America's prisons and jails. Millions more are tethered to the system by way of parole, probation, house arrest, etc.

One brain injury victim advocate says the public does itself a disservice by failing to treat those prisoners suffering from TBI, saying we could significantly reduce criminal behavior and reduce recidivism by helping those who've sustained head injuries.

Obviously, it's up to the public and elected representatives to determine the direction of government policy regarding prison population health care, but there's no doubt that TBI alters people's lives.

When the injury is due to the negligence of others in a car accident or other incident, victims and their families do well to discuss their legal options with an experienced personal injury attorney.

Source: Huffington Post: "Brain Injury Rate 7 Times Greater Among U.S. Prisoners," Katherine Harmon, Feb. 6, 2012