Thousands of criminals should be given drugs to stop them reoffending, according to scientists who found that people with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder committed a third fewer crimes when given medication.
The condition is thought to affect about a third of prisoners. Treating them with drugs such as Ritalin could reduce crime rates, the authors said.
About 5 per cent of children are estimated to have ADHD, which is characterised by inattentiveness, impulsivity, aggression, short temper and disorganised thinking. It is less common in adults, but a disproportionate number of sufferers go on to commit crimes. Up to 40 per cent