Le trouble du déficit de l’attention avec ou sans hyperactivité (TDAH) est un trouble neurodéveloppemental caractérisé par des difficultés persistantes à maintenir l’attention, à réguler les impulsions et/ou par une hyperactivité, entraînant des répercussions significatives sur le fonctionnement cognitif et comportemental. En milieu carcéral, la prévalence du TDAH est nettement supérieure à celle de la population générale, touchant une proportion importante de détenus par rapport à une minorité d’adultes hors prison. Les personnes avec TDAH entrent en contact avec le système judiciaire plus tôt et de manière plus fréquente, présentant un risque accru d’arrestations, de condamnations et de récidive. Cet article explore les liens entre le TDAH et la délinquance, tout en proposant des interventions thérapeutiques adaptées aux contextes médico-légaux. Le parcours délictuel des individus atteints de TDAH est marqué par des infractions souvent impulsives, telles que les vols, les délits liés aux substances ou les atteintes aux biens, exacerbées par une faible autorégulation. Les modèles criminologiques, comme celui de l’autocontrôle, mettent en lumière l’impulsivité comme un facteur clé, tandis que les approches neurobiologiques soulignent des dysfonctionnements dans les circuits cérébraux responsables de l’inhibition. La comorbidité, notamment avec les troubles liés à l’usage de substances et les troubles de la personnalité, amplifie ces risques, compliquant leur prise en charge en milieu carcéral. Une intervention multimodale est essentielle. Le dépistage, souvent insuffisant, repose sur des outils validés pour identifier le TDAH. Les traitements combinent pharmacothérapie (stimulants réduisant les symptômes) et des interventions psychosociales, comme la psychoéducation et les thérapies cognitivo-comportementales, visant à améliorer la régulation émotionnelle et prévenir la récidive. Une perspective développementale, retraçant les trajectoires depuis l’enfance, permet d’adapter les approches aux profils complexes, favorisant la réinsertion sociale et réduisant les risques à long terme.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent difficulties in maintaining attention, controlling impulses, and/or managing hyperactivity, leading to significant impairments in cognitive and behavioral functioning. In correctional facilities, ADHD is notably more prevalent than in the general adult population, with estimates suggesting a substantial proportion of incarcerated individuals exhibit symptoms of the disorder, far exceeding rates observed outside prison settings. Individuals with ADHD often encounter the criminal justice system at a younger age and with greater frequency compared to their peers without the disorder, facing increased risks of arrests, convictions, and repeated offenses. This article examines the intricate relationship between ADHD and criminal behavior, exploring contributing factors and proposing therapeutic interventions tailored to the unique challenges of forensic contexts. It begins by outlining the criminal justice trajectory of individuals with ADHD, then addresses the characteristics of ADHD linked to delinquency, considers insights from criminology and forensic psychology, and concludes by presenting promising therapeutic strategies for this population. The criminal justice pathway for individuals with ADHD is often characterized by early and recurrent interactions with legal systems. Those with ADHD are significantly more likely to face arrests, convictions, or incarceration, often beginning delinquent activities at a younger age than their non-ADHD counterparts. Recidivism is also a pressing concern, with reoffending occurring more rapidly among this group. Offenses tend to be impulsive and opportunistic, encompassing acts such as theft, substance-related crimes, and property damage, frequently accompanied by aggressive or violent behaviors. These patterns stem from ADHD's core symptoms—inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity—which undermine self-regulation, impair decision-making, and heighten vulnerability to criminal conduct, particularly in environments lacking adequate support. Criminological and forensic psychology perspectives provide valuable frameworks for understanding the link between ADHD and delinquency. One influential theory suggests that low self-control, a defining feature of ADHD, is a primary driver of criminal behavior. This aligns with neurobiological models that describe ADHD as a developmental deficit in self-regulation, rooted in impaired brain circuits responsible for executive functions like planning and impulse control. These deficits manifest as challenges in working memory, reduced ability to delay gratification, and difficulties adapting to changing contexts, all of which predispose individuals to impulsive decisions with legal consequences. Another model highlights the interplay of individual traits, social influences, and environmental factors, identifying risks such as limited education, unstable employment, substance misuse, and antisocial personality traits as amplifiers of criminal behavior in ADHD populations. In prisons, ADHD is often accompanied by co-occurring conditions, including substance use disorders and personality disorders, which further complicate rehabilitation efforts and elevate the likelihood of reoffending. Effective management of ADHD in forensic settings requires a comprehensive, multimodal approach that addresses both the disorder and its criminogenic consequences. Diagnosis remains a critical barrier, with only a small fraction of incarcerated individuals with ADHD receiving proper identification due to limited access to trained professionals and validated screening tools. Pharmacological treatments, such as stimulant medications, are highly effective in reducing symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, and have shown potential to lower rates of violent reoffending when consistently administered. However, their use in correctional settings requires careful oversight to manage co-occurring substance use issues and prevent misuse, often through extended-release formulations and supervised administration. Psychosocial interventions are equally vital, with psychoeducation playing a central role in helping individuals and their families understand the disorder, reduce stigma, and develop practical strategies for managing daily challenges. Structured programs delivered in group or individual formats can enhance self-esteem, stress management, and adherence to treatment while fostering prosocial behaviors. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) complements these efforts by targeting residual symptoms and improving social functioning. Specialized programs adapted for correctional settings focus on building emotional regulation, problem-solving skills, and strategies to prevent reoffending, showing promise in reducing not only ADHD symptoms but also associated mental health challenges like depression and anxiety. A developmental perspective further refines these interventions by tracing the lifelong trajectory of ADHD, often marked by early behavioral issues that evolve into more severe conduct problems or personality disorders in adulthood. In forensic populations, ADHD frequently coexists with conditions like antisocial personality disorder, which significantly increases the risk of violent recidivism. Assessing traits such as limited empathy or predatory impulsivity through standardized tools allows clinicians to tailor treatments, combining medication with targeted therapies to address specific deficits. Early intervention during adolescence, through integrated programs involving medication, family support, and social mentoring, holds potential to prevent the escalation of criminal behavior. In conclusion, the high prevalence of ADHD in correctional settings and its profound impact on criminal justice involvement highlight the urgent need for improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. By leveraging insights from criminology, neurobiology, and psychology, and implementing multimodal interventions, it is possible to mitigate the criminogenic effects of ADHD, reduce recidivism, and promote successful reintegration, offering benefits for both individuals and society.