Understanding the educational needs of young offenders: A prevalence study of traumatic brain injury and learning disabilities

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the DOI in this recordOffenders in custody are often disadvantaged in terms of education. Research shows that providing and improving education in custody can help reduce the possibility of recidivism and high crime rates in young offenders. Among various factors that can impact on youth's ability to engage effectively with education in custody, prevalence rates of neurodisabilities such as learning disabilities and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) remain high. Young offenders with neurodisabilities may present with various developmental, cognitive, intellectual, social functioning, language and communication deficits, that may impact on learner-teacher relationships and learning acquisition. For the purpose of this paper, we focused on learning disabilities and TBI given high prevalence rates for these neurodisabilities reported in the literature. We also report on general intellectual functioning given the association with specific learning disabilities. Despite contextual vulnerabilities, there is a dearth of literature on neurodisabilities and its associated impact on education for young offenders in South Africa. Our study sample included young offenders (n = 25) and controls (n = 56), aged 14–21 years. Measures of alcohol (AUDIT), substance use (MAP), learning disabilities and TBIs (CHAT), general intellectual functioning (WASI-II), and depression (BDI-II) were included for offenders and controls. Results show significant differences in TBI, alcohol use, substance use, and reported possible learning disabilities, with higher scores and rates for these factors, indicating poorer outcomes, in the young offender as compared to the control group. The young offender group also had significantly lower and therefore poorer verbal IQ (VIQ) scores than the control group. The results for VIQ were upheld even when the significant difference in age (young offenders were on average 5 years older) was controlled for. Results of this nature can potentially be used to inform rehabilitative efforts in our local youth centres for offenders in the hope of screening for various developmental and acquired neuro-disabilities so that rehabilitation strategies may be even more targeted for those with special education needs in of an already vulnerable population. Such results may also inform the schooling structures within such centres by providing profiles needs of offenders in custody based on screenings of neurodisabilities.National Research Foundation Thuthuka GrantMedical Research Council (MRC

Heterometallic half-sandwich complexes containing a ferrocenyl motif: Synthesis, molecular structure, electrochemistry and antiplasmodial evaluation

The synthesis and characterisation of a series of new half-sandwich ruthenium(II), rhodium(III) and iridium(III) heterometallic complexes containing a ferrocenyl motif is reported. The dinuclear complexes were prepared by reaction of the ferrocenyl–salicylaldimine complex (1) with either [Ru(p-cymene)Cl2]2, [Rh(C5Me5)Cl2]2 or [Ir(C5Me5)Cl2]2 to yield heterobimetallic complexes where complex 1 acts as a bidentate anionic donor to ruthenium, rhodium or iridium via the imine nitrogen and phenolic oxygen atoms. The structures of the compounds have been confirmed using a variety of spectroscopic and analytical techniques, including single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of complexes 2–4. The electrochemical behaviour of the heterometallic complexes was examined using cyclic voltammetry and a positive shift in the half-wave potential (E1/2) of the ferrocene/ferrocenium couple was observed for the Platinum Group Metal (PGM) complexes, indicating that the ferrocenyl moiety becomes harder to oxidise. The complexes were evaluated for antiplasmodial activity in vitro against the chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum strain NF54, yielding IC50 values in the low micromolar range. Further analysis of complexes 1–4 using a β-hematin inhibition assay revealed that these complexes are able to inhibit the formation of synthetic hemozoin