The Invisible Pipeline: Why Undiagnosed ADHD is Filling Our Prisons

For decades, the "school-to-prison pipeline" has been a focal point of social justice reform. However, a groundbreaking study from Cambridge University, published in December 2025, suggests we have been missing a critical biological component of that pipeline: undiagnosed neurodivergence.

The research, titled Neurodiversity in Custody, reveals a significant disconnect between the healthcare and legal systems. While roughly 2.5% of the general adult population has ADHD, the study found that nearly 50% of individuals arrested by the London Metropolitan Police screened positive for ADHD.

The Scale of the Crisis

The data suggest that the "typical" arrestee is far more likely to be neurodivergent than previously understood. When researchers screened more than 200 individuals in custody, the results clearly indicated overrepresentation.

The "Self-Medication" Trap

One of the most striking findings involves drug-related offenses. The study found that nearly 60% of individuals arrested for drug offenses showed evidence of ADHD.

This reinforces a long-standing theory in the ADHD community: self-medication. Without access to a formal diagnosis or prescription stimulants like methylphenidate, which help regulate dopamine and impulse control, many individuals turn to recreational substances to manage their symptoms. What the legal system views as "criminal drug use" is often a desperate, unguided attempt at healthcare.

Why Recognition Matters in the Moment of Arrest

Neurodivergence isn't just about long-term life outcomes; it affects the immediate interaction between a citizen and a police officer. ADHD can manifest as:

• Impulsivity: Leading to split-second decisions that result in legal trouble.

• Emotional Dysregulation: Misinterpreted by officers as aggression or "resisting."

• Executive Dysfunction: Difficulty following complex, rapid-fire verbal commands during a high-stress stop.

When police are not trained to recognize these traits, a medical condition is treated as a behavioral defiance, leading to an escalation of force or unnecessary criminalization.

A Call to Action: From Custody to Care

By the time someone reaches a police cell, we have already failed them.

The study’s lead authors, including Dion Brown and Simon Baron-Cohen, emphasize that the goal isn't just data collection, it's systemic diversion.

1. Mandatory Screening: If 50% of arrestees are neurodivergent, screening should be as routine as taking fingerprints.

2. Police Training: Officers must be educated to recognize neurodivergent behaviors to prevent the escalation of non-violent encounters.

3. Judicial Awareness: Judges need to understand that treating ADHD is a highly effective form of recidivism prevention. Studies show that adults with ADHD are significantly less likely to engage in criminal behavior when they have access to proper medication and support.

We are currently using the prison system to warehouse individuals who should have been in the healthcare system years ago. By the time someone reaches a police cell, we have already failed them. To break the cycle, we must move toward a model where a positive screening for ADHD results in a referral to a clinic, not just a cell.

You can help by sharing this article with your elected officials to encourage ADHD testing and treatment.