British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 42(4), 2014, pp.308-314.
Publisher:
Wiley
The aim of this review is to synthesise findings from research about the experiences of people with learning disabilities who have faced arrest and jail time. After an extensive search of the literature, four relevant articles were found. The first-person accounts presented in these four studies were pooled, and a thematic analysis was undertaken. Three common themes were identified: (i) study participants did not understand what was happening to them, or why, (ii) they felt alone, and they did not know where to turn, or to whom for support and (iii) they were uncertain about what to say or do. Overall, the findings raise concerns about the treatment of people with learning disabilities in the criminal justice system and their access to procedural justice. Further research is needed to improve understanding of their experiences and support needs. There is unequivocal evidence that persons with learning disabilities are over-represented in the prison population. To date however, few studies have investigated their first-hand experience, including their experiences of being interrogated, of standing trial, serving time and transitioning back into the community. The purpose of this review is to draw what insights we can from the limited available data and to identify directions for future research.
(Publisher abstract)
The aim of this review is to synthesise findings from research about the experiences of people with learning disabilities who have faced arrest and jail time. After an extensive search of the literature, four relevant articles were found. The first-person accounts presented in these four studies were pooled, and a thematic analysis was undertaken. Three common themes were identified: (i) study participants did not understand what was happening to them, or why, (ii) they felt alone, and they did not know where to turn, or to whom for support and (iii) they were uncertain about what to say or do. Overall, the findings raise concerns about the treatment of people with learning disabilities in the criminal justice system and their access to procedural justice. Further research is needed to improve understanding of their experiences and support needs. There is unequivocal evidence that persons with learning disabilities are over-represented in the prison population. To date however, few studies have investigated their first-hand experience, including their experiences of being interrogated, of standing trial, serving time and transitioning back into the community. The purpose of this review is to draw what insights we can from the limited available data and to identify directions for future research.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
criminal justice, learning disabilities, user views, prisoners;
Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 5(3), 2014, pp.124-137.
Publisher:
Emerald
Purpose: There needs to be an increased recognition of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in services that deal with young people with disruptive and offending behaviour, not just those services that deal with adolescents with a recognised intellectual disability. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach: This is a general review of the current available evidence on FASD and how it is likely to predispose affected young people to have contact with secure mental health services and the criminal justice system.
Findings: FASD is likely to have become a more common cause of intellectual disability and behavioural disturbance but the history of significant alcohol exposure in utero if often missed. There is evidence that the hyperactivity is less responsive to psychotropic medication and may represent a different condition to conventional ADHD. However the majority of those affected are in the low normal IQ range.
Research limitations/implications: There is so far very limited research in what is likely to be a relatively common disorder with significant costs to criminal justice, mental healthcare and social services. Epidemiological information from the UK is lacking and urgently needed.
Practical implications: Professionals who work with mentally disordered young people need to be more aware of FASD and its potential contribution to the problems and disabilities in their population.
Social implications: Social workers, foster carers and adoptive parents need to be more aware of FASD and how it can contribute to the breakdown of social care.
Originality/value: There is currently no other review of FASD and the implications for criminal justice, secure mental health and social care for young people.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Purpose: There needs to be an increased recognition of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in services that deal with young people with disruptive and offending behaviour, not just those services that deal with adolescents with a recognised intellectual disability. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach: This is a general review of the current available evidence on FASD and how it is likely to predispose affected young people to have contact with secure mental health services and the criminal justice system.
Findings: FASD is likely to have become a more common cause of intellectual disability and behavioural disturbance but the history of significant alcohol exposure in utero if often missed. There is evidence that the hyperactivity is less responsive to psychotropic medication and may represent a different condition to conventional ADHD. However the majority of those affected are in the low normal IQ range.
Research limitations/implications: There is so far very limited research in what is likely to be a relatively common disorder with significant costs to criminal justice, mental healthcare and social services. Epidemiological information from the UK is lacking and urgently needed.
Practical implications: Professionals who work with mentally disordered young people need to be more aware of FASD and its potential contribution to the problems and disabilities in their population.
Social implications: Social workers, foster carers and adoptive parents need to be more aware of FASD and how it can contribute to the breakdown of social care.
Originality/value: There is currently no other review of FASD and the implications for criminal justice, secure mental health and social care for young people.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
foetal alcohol syndrome, young people, conduct disorders, offenders, mental health services, learning disabilities, criminal justice;
Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 5(2), 2014, pp.64-77.
Publisher:
Emerald
This paper critically explores the impact of anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) on young people with mild learning disabilities. In an attempt to identify why young people (under the age of 18) with learning disabilities are exposed to the criminal justice system, an emerging body of evidence is considered. The research provides an insight into some of the difficulties vulnerable young people may encounter, such as receiving unrealistic prohibitions and the lack of support provided after receiving a court order. The research also highlights the lack of professional awareness and understanding of learning disabilities and considers the level of training available to professionals. The paper closes with a discussion of the themes identified from the literature reviewed and some of the changes proposed by the coalition government regarding the future of the criminal justice system.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This paper critically explores the impact of anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) on young people with mild learning disabilities. In an attempt to identify why young people (under the age of 18) with learning disabilities are exposed to the criminal justice system, an emerging body of evidence is considered. The research provides an insight into some of the difficulties vulnerable young people may encounter, such as receiving unrealistic prohibitions and the lack of support provided after receiving a court order. The research also highlights the lack of professional awareness and understanding of learning disabilities and considers the level of training available to professionals. The paper closes with a discussion of the themes identified from the literature reviewed and some of the changes proposed by the coalition government regarding the future of the criminal justice system.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Extended abstract:
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to critically explore the impact of anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) on young people with mild learning disabilities. In an attempt to identify why young people (under the age of 18) with learning disabilities are exposed to the criminal justice system, an emerging body of evidence is considered. The research provides an insight into some of the difficulties vulnerable young people may encounter, such as receiving unrealistic prohibitions and the lack of support provided after receiving a court order. The research also highlights the lack of professional awareness and understanding of learning disabilities and considers the level of training available to professionals. The paper closes with a discussion of the themes identified from the literature reviewed and some of the changes proposed by the coalition government regarding the future of the criminal justice system.
Design/methodology/approach: Although a strict systematic review of the literature was not required for the literature review, a less rigorous systematic approach was employed. When searching for literature, the general principles and guidelines of the Cochrane Collaboration were employed, this included inclusion and exclusion criteria. The eligibility criteria guided the focus of the literature review and determined the relevance of the research. During the literature review it was recognised that much of the research is discussion/review based, and currently there is a limited amount of empirical research available. An eco-systems perspective was employed to consider the connections between young people, the environment and anti-social behaviour (ASB).
Findings: The findings from the literature review, illustrate a growing body of evidence which suggests that young people with learning disabilities have been “caught up” in ASB measures. It is positive that more recently, there has been a much needed focus on early identification and diversion away from the criminal justice system, for those with mental health conditions and learning disabilities. The research findings presented by Cant and Standen, and Talbot, provide possible explanations as to why vulnerable young people are made subject to ASBOs. Indeed this lack of sufficient training has not gone unnoticed by other researchers.
Research limitations/implications: Although the author is aware of the valuable insight qualitative research can provide, the methodological limitations raise questions regarding the validity of the research the author has considered, especially as most of the research the author has drawn upon is based on exploratory approaches. Nevertheless, the concurring themes drawn from the research findings raise much curiosity around the potential links between disability awareness training and the identification of young people with mild learning disabilities.
Practical implications: Despite the governments recent proposal to abolish the ASBO and introduce a new approach to tackling ASB, it appears unclear as to how the new measures will differ from the existing ones. The recent proposed measures are set out in the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Although the accompanying guidance for frontline professionals clearly sets out the need for early intervention, which sits alongside a new menu of ASB powers, including the Criminal Behaviour Order (which seems very similar to the ASBO), it is disappointing that the guidance does not give any direction of how new measures will impact on young people with learning disabilities.
Social implications: Although the ASBO was not initially designed to target children and young people, it is clear from the literature that certain families and young people are often singled out and labelled as “anti-social”. It is unsurprising, that children and young people from poor families, with low educational attainment, limited employment opportunities and live in the most marginalised and deprived communities are amongst those who are singled out as being particularly problematic.
Originality/value: The research findings have helped me to understand some of the potential difficulties vulnerable young people may encounter if they come into contact with the criminal justice system. As there appears to be a lack of empirical research available which considers the connections between learning disabilities and ASBOs, further research within this area of practice would be beneficial. The research invites an alternative perspective which adds to the existing literature.
Subject terms:
criminal justice, crime, anti-social behaviour, learning disabilities, young people, social work;
Liaison and diversion services aim to identify and support people with mental health problems, learning difficulties and other vulnerable people in police stations and courts. This report identifies the key elements of successful liaison and diversion services in six services based in Lewisham, Manchester, Portsmouth and in Plymouth, Bodmin and Truro. The findings are based on visits to sites, interviews with staff, service users, and partners. It finds that the most successful teams offer support for a wide range of a person’s needs, they build packages of support from a range of local agencies, and they stay in touch with people after they have been referred to other services. The report then makes recommendations for NHS commissioners and liaison and diversion services.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Liaison and diversion services aim to identify and support people with mental health problems, learning difficulties and other vulnerable people in police stations and courts. This report identifies the key elements of successful liaison and diversion services in six services based in Lewisham, Manchester, Portsmouth and in Plymouth, Bodmin and Truro. The findings are based on visits to sites, interviews with staff, service users, and partners. It finds that the most successful teams offer support for a wide range of a person’s needs, they build packages of support from a range of local agencies, and they stay in touch with people after they have been referred to other services. The report then makes recommendations for NHS commissioners and liaison and diversion services.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 5(3), 2014, pp.147-153.
Publisher:
Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine how substances misuse impacts on exposure to the criminal justice system for people with intellectual disabilities (ID).
Design/methodology/approach: An electronic case-register of mental health patients was used to examine the clinical records of 411 patients with ID. χ2 analysis was performed to test the association between variables and logistic regression to generate estimates for statistically significant association variables.
Findings: Of 411 cases, 98 (23 per cent) of patient had a history of substance use, with affective disorders strongly associated with alcohol misuse χ2=4.135, df=1 (p<0.042), similarly statistically significant predictor for alcohol misuse OR: 1.7, 95 per cent CI (1.02-2.72) (p<0.043). Patients with a history of offending behaviour had three-folds higher risk to misuse drugs compared to those without a forensic conviction OR: 3.17, 95 per cent CI (1.35-7.44) (p<0.008). Those with a history of offending were more likely to have had a history of substance use.
Originality/value: Substance use and its impact on offending by people with ID is still poorly understood. This paper adds new information to this under researched area.
(Publisher abstract)
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine how substances misuse impacts on exposure to the criminal justice system for people with intellectual disabilities (ID).
Design/methodology/approach: An electronic case-register of mental health patients was used to examine the clinical records of 411 patients with ID. χ2 analysis was performed to test the association between variables and logistic regression to generate estimates for statistically significant association variables.
Findings: Of 411 cases, 98 (23 per cent) of patient had a history of substance use, with affective disorders strongly associated with alcohol misuse χ2=4.135, df=1 (p<0.042), similarly statistically significant predictor for alcohol misuse OR: 1.7, 95 per cent CI (1.02-2.72) (p<0.043). Patients with a history of offending behaviour had three-folds higher risk to misuse drugs compared to those without a forensic conviction OR: 3.17, 95 per cent CI (1.35-7.44) (p<0.008). Those with a history of offending were more likely to have had a history of substance use.
Originality/value: Substance use and its impact on offending by people with ID is still poorly understood. This paper adds new information to this under researched area.
(Publisher abstract)
This briefing considers the needs of young adults (18 to 24 year olds) in contact with mental health and/or learning disability services and the criminal justice system. It is one of three briefings commissioned by the Bradley Commission to fill in gaps in the 2009 report. It notes that young adults in contact with the criminal justice system often have multiple needs and vulnerabilities, and are also likely to be faced with multiple transitions between services and systems. It draws on examples of good practice under the following offender pathway headings: community, police, Crown prosecution service, courts, prison, secure mental health services and probation and resettlement. Eight suggestions are made to help achieve positive outcomes when engaging with young adults.
(Original abstract)
This briefing considers the needs of young adults (18 to 24 year olds) in contact with mental health and/or learning disability services and the criminal justice system. It is one of three briefings commissioned by the Bradley Commission to fill in gaps in the 2009 report. It notes that young adults in contact with the criminal justice system often have multiple needs and vulnerabilities, and are also likely to be faced with multiple transitions between services and systems. It draws on examples of good practice under the following offender pathway headings: community, police, Crown prosecution service, courts, prison, secure mental health services and probation and resettlement. Eight suggestions are made to help achieve positive outcomes when engaging with young adults.
(Original abstract)
Subject terms:
young adults, criminal justice, mental health problems, service transitions, learning disabilities, young offenders, offenders, needs;
This report is the first of two joint inspections about the treatment of people with learning disabilities within the criminal justice system. The inspection covered activity at police stations, the prosecution and court process, pre-sentence report (PSR) preparation, and the assessment and planning undertaken at the start of the community order. The inspection found that offenders with learning disabilities were not always afforded the level of service appropriate to the risk of harm they presented or to their needs. Problems included a failure to recognise a learning disability, and failure to refer the offender to specialist services for assessment. The inspection regularly found an absence of access to specialist support that would tackle offending behaviour and manage the risk of harm posed to the public. There was concern that the processes, absence of services or a simple lack of knowledge and training often led to offenders with a learning disability being perceived as a problem to be processed, rather than an individual with particular needs requiring individual treatment. Although there were some pockets of good practice and examples of practitioners ‘going the extra mile’ to ensure that these offenders received the support and treatment they needed, the examples of good practice cited in the report were the exception rather than the norm. The report concludes that people with a learning disability have very different learning needs from the majority of the population. The failure to properly consider the implications of an offender’s learning disability in PSRs and initial assessments meant that there was less chance of the offender successfully engaging in activities designed to reduce the likelihood of reoffending or reduce their risk of harm.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report is the first of two joint inspections about the treatment of people with learning disabilities within the criminal justice system. The inspection covered activity at police stations, the prosecution and court process, pre-sentence report (PSR) preparation, and the assessment and planning undertaken at the start of the community order. The inspection found that offenders with learning disabilities were not always afforded the level of service appropriate to the risk of harm they presented or to their needs. Problems included a failure to recognise a learning disability, and failure to refer the offender to specialist services for assessment. The inspection regularly found an absence of access to specialist support that would tackle offending behaviour and manage the risk of harm posed to the public. There was concern that the processes, absence of services or a simple lack of knowledge and training often led to offenders with a learning disability being perceived as a problem to be processed, rather than an individual with particular needs requiring individual treatment. Although there were some pockets of good practice and examples of practitioners ‘going the extra mile’ to ensure that these offenders received the support and treatment they needed, the examples of good practice cited in the report were the exception rather than the norm. The report concludes that people with a learning disability have very different learning needs from the majority of the population. The failure to properly consider the implications of an offender’s learning disability in PSRs and initial assessments meant that there was less chance of the offender successfully engaging in activities designed to reduce the likelihood of reoffending or reduce their risk of harm.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
offenders, learning disabilities, criminal justice, legal proceedings, sentences, inspection, unmet need, case studies, good practice;
Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 8(1), 2014, pp.43-50.
Publisher:
Emerald
Purpose: The criminogenic needs and psychological vulnerabilities of offenders with intellectual disability (ID) has only recently received attention within the academic literature. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of an approach to identifying such needs in order to inform treatment planning and service delivery.
Design/methodology/approach: The paper describes the methods employed to identify relevant psychological variables for this population, provides an overview of the framework and describes the practices employed to establish the relevance of a range of criminogenic needs.
Findings: A range of psychological variables derived from a systematic literature review are presented in the context of an assessment framework.
Research limitations/implications: The Treatment Need Matrix (TNM) is currently an experimental framework for identifying the needs of offenders with ID (and personality disorder (PD)). Further research is needed to establish the reliability and validity of the tool.
Practical implications: The TNM offers clinicians a practical methodology for determining the significance of a range of psychological variables cited in the literature as relevant treatment targets for offenders with IDs.
Originality/value: The specific criminogenic needs of offenders with ID (and PD) has received little attention within the academic and research communities. This paper offers a novel approach to the identification.
(Publisher abstract)
Purpose: The criminogenic needs and psychological vulnerabilities of offenders with intellectual disability (ID) has only recently received attention within the academic literature. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of an approach to identifying such needs in order to inform treatment planning and service delivery.
Design/methodology/approach: The paper describes the methods employed to identify relevant psychological variables for this population, provides an overview of the framework and describes the practices employed to establish the relevance of a range of criminogenic needs.
Findings: A range of psychological variables derived from a systematic literature review are presented in the context of an assessment framework.
Research limitations/implications: The Treatment Need Matrix (TNM) is currently an experimental framework for identifying the needs of offenders with ID (and personality disorder (PD)). Further research is needed to establish the reliability and validity of the tool.
Practical implications: The TNM offers clinicians a practical methodology for determining the significance of a range of psychological variables cited in the literature as relevant treatment targets for offenders with IDs.
Originality/value: The specific criminogenic needs of offenders with ID (and PD) has received little attention within the academic and research communities. This paper offers a novel approach to the identification.
(Publisher abstract)
This report examines progress made in the support offered to people with mental health problems and people with learning difficulties in the criminal justice system in the five years since the publication of the Bradley Report (DH, 2009a). It focuses on the impact of liaison and diversion interventions and argues that while clear evidence of benefits remains unavailable, there is sufficient evidence to justify further service development and research. And there is growing evidence of the importance of liaison and diversion for children and young people. The report reviews what has been achieved so far, and what remains to be done, under the major headings of the Bradley Report, including: prevention and early intervention; police custody; courts; prisons and resettlement; and partnership working. The five years since the Bradley Report was published have seen concerted action to improve support for people with mental health problems and those with learning difficulties in the criminal justice system. This report argues that this will need to be sustained for at least another five years to put the vision into practice nationwide.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report examines progress made in the support offered to people with mental health problems and people with learning difficulties in the criminal justice system in the five years since the publication of the Bradley Report (DH, 2009a). It focuses on the impact of liaison and diversion interventions and argues that while clear evidence of benefits remains unavailable, there is sufficient evidence to justify further service development and research. And there is growing evidence of the importance of liaison and diversion for children and young people. The report reviews what has been achieved so far, and what remains to be done, under the major headings of the Bradley Report, including: prevention and early intervention; police custody; courts; prisons and resettlement; and partnership working. The five years since the Bradley Report was published have seen concerted action to improve support for people with mental health problems and those with learning difficulties in the criminal justice system. This report argues that this will need to be sustained for at least another five years to put the vision into practice nationwide.
(Edited publisher abstract)