Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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In ten years time: improving outcomes for people with mental ill-health, learning disability, developmental disorders or neuro-diverse conditions in the criminal justice system
- Authors:
- CENTRE FOR MENTAL HEALTH, REVOLVING DOORS AGENCY
- Publishers:
- Centre for Mental Health, Revolving Doors Agency
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 28
- Place of publication:
- London
This report summarises the progress that has been made since the publication of the Bradley Report in 2014, which made recommendations to improve support for people with mental health problems and learning disabilities in contact with the criminal justice system. It covers the areas of: early identification, arrest and prosecution; courts; sentencing; prison and resettlement. The report also outlines the additional changes needed over the next 10 years and makes ten recommendations. It calls on the Government to adopt a common, comprehensive definition of vulnerabilities across the criminal justice pathway; develop a comprehensive protocol to screening, assessment, information sharing and care across the whole system; transfer to the NHS the commissioning of police custody healthcare; resource the Liaison and Diversion services; ensuring Courts are not able to send people to immediate custody or to a community sentence in the absence of a relevant court report; invest in effective community sentences; restrict the use of short prison sentences; and implement reforms proposed in the Independent Mental Health Act Review regarding prison transfers. (Edited publisher abstract)
Inclusive justice: a system designed for all: findings and recommendations
- Author:
- EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
- Publisher:
- Equality and Human Rights Commission
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 35
- Place of publication:
- London
Findings of an inquiry to understand the experiences of disabled defendants and accused people in the criminal justice system. The inquiry focused on the pre-trial phase and looked at whether the needs of disabled people are properly identified; the types of adjustments being made to accommodate their needs; and whether they can fully participate in court processes and understand the charges they face. The report reveals that the justice system is not designed around the needs and abilities of disabled people, and reforms in England and Wales risk further reducing participation. A recurring theme was the overuse of complicated legal language and terms, which people with a cognitive impairment, mental health condition and / or neuro-diverse condition struggle to understand. Furthermore, opportunities to design digital court systems to be more accessible have been missed and the needs of disabled people have not been gathered or taken into account. Impairments that may require adjustments are not always identified and adjustments are not always made for disabled people because information about their impairments is not passed on. In addition, legal professionals do not consistently have the guidance or training they need to be able to recognise impairments, their impact, or how adjustments can be made. The report makes a detailed recommendations to UK Governments, urging them to ensure the system is designed around the needs of its users and understands and remove the barriers faced by disabled defendants or accused people. (Edited publisher abstract)
Experiences of going to court: witnesses with intellectual disabilities and their carers speak up
- Authors:
- BECKENE Tessy, FORRESTER-JONES Rachel, MURPHY Glynis H.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 33(1), 2020, pp.67-78.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: People with intellectual disabilities are more vulnerable to sexual abuse and are more disadvantaged in the criminal justice system than the general population. However, little is known about the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities who have allegedly been victims of sexual abuse and also been witnesses in court. Materials and Methods: This study used semi‐structured interviews and a Grounded Theory approach to examine the experiences of four people with intellectual disabilities and four carers/supporters who had all attended trials. Results: Findings showed that after the traumatic incident of abuse, a court experience could become a secondary source of trauma. Experience of this trauma was dependent on the quality and quantity of support people received and the understanding of intellectual disabilities amongst the legal participants. Conclusion: The findings argue for better training for legal participants who are in contact with vulnerable witnesses and better support structures for alleged victims. (Publisher abstract)
People with a learning disability, autism or both: Liaison and Diversion managers and practitioner resources
- Authors:
- NHS ENGLAND, NHS IMPROVEMENT
- Publishers:
- NHS England, NHS Improvement
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 22
- Place of publication:
- London
Guidance for practitioners in Liaison and Diversion services who are working with people with learning disability, autism or both. It aims to support practitioners to anticipate and prevent discrimination against people with learning disabilities, which could put them at a significant disadvantage when trying to navigate the youth or criminal justice system. The guidance includes information on identifying and screening people with learning disability or autism and providing relevant support. It also lists recommended actions in relation to service development and how best to supporting the needs of people with a learning disability. Case studies of individuals illustrate the practical impact of effective Liaison and Diversion interventions. A list of relevant resources is also included. (Edited publisher abstract)
Out of the shadows: women with learning disabilities in contact with or on the edges of the criminal justice system
- Authors:
- HAMMOND Tracy, et al
- Publisher:
- Prison Reform Trust
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 48
- Place of publication:
- London
This report, collaboration between the Prison Reform Trust and KeyRing Living Support Networks, finds that women with learning disabilities are at risk of becoming drawn into the criminal justice system due to failures to recognise their disability and a lack of appropriate support. It draws on the experiences of 24 women with learning disabilities in contact with, or on the edges of, the criminal justice system; and practitioners working within criminal justice, social care, and women’s services. It also considers the legislative and policy frameworks that exist to help ensure women with learning disabilities get the support they need and which can help them avoid content with criminal justice services. In the research the women talked about their difficulties in accessing support when they needed it most, not understanding the implications of their behaviour and failure to comply with imposed sanctions; their histories as victims of violent and abusive behaviour; and enforced separation from their children. Other areas discussed included histories of drugs and addiction, access to housing The report makes ten recommendations to ensure that the needs of women with learning disabilities are recognised and met. (Edited publisher abstract)
The development of a screening tool for individuals with possible learning needs
- Author:
- CLULEY Emma
- Journal article citation:
- Probation Journal, 66(1), 2019, pp.141-142.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Learning disability is distinct from specific learning disabilities or learning difficulties that can refer to a variety of disorders that impact upon understanding, retention of information or verbal and non-verbal information, for example dyslexia. It is thought that between 20 and 30 per cent of the prison population have some form of learning difficulty that affects their ability to cope in the Criminal Justice System (CJS). This study considered the development of a screening tool to assist with identifying learning needs using information from the Offender Assessment System (OASys). The aim of the research was to help identify the extent of people with intelligence quotients (IQs) of less than 80 and those with learning difficulties who might struggle in prison or in serving a community sentence. The purpose was to assist with identifying individuals who might require further assessment or support. The sample included 2232 males who had been convicted of sexual offences and were serving a custodial sentence. The IQ information was obtained from the previous learning-based assessments that had been undertaken. Of the sample 20 per cent had an IQ of 79 or less; 80 percent had an IQ of 80 or more; 7.2 per cent had an IQ score of 69 or less. Mild disability is often viewed as an IQ of below 70. (Publisher abstract)
Hate crime: public statement on prosecuting disability hate crime and other crimes against disabled people
- Author:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Crown Prosecution Service
- Publisher:
- Crown Prosecution Service
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 11
- Place of publication:
- London
A policy statement from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) which explains how they deal with and prosecute disability hate crime and other crimes against disabled people, and what support victims and witnesses can expect from the CPS. (Edited publisher abstract)
Autism, sexual offending, and the criminal justice system
- Author:
- MOGAVERO Melanie Clark
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 7(3), 2016, pp.116-126.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: There has been growing concern among stakeholders about individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and sex offending as research supports an indirect association. The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, bring more awareness of the sexuality and deviant/criminal sexual behaviour among those with ASD to stakeholders in the criminal justice system (CJS). Second, demonstrate that much of the deviant or sexual offending behaviour exhibited among those with ASD is often a manifestation of their ASD symptoms and not malice. Third, demonstrate the necessity to address specific needs of individuals with ASD who enter the CJS due to criminal sexual behaviour. Design/methodology/approach: This paper provides an overview of the ASD symptomology, including the diagnostic changes, a review of the literature on ASD and sexuality, which includes deviant sexual behaviour and sexual offending. Findings: The author linked examples of deviant or sexual behavior in the research literature to the ASD symptomology and described how the symptomology explains such behaviour. Originality/value: Sexual offending among those with ASD has received little research outside the mental health field. This review is of particular importance to those in the CJS unfamiliar with ASD, as they should handle them differently with regard to formal interviewing, measures of competency, capacity, and sentencing. (Edited publisher abstract)
People with learning disabilities in the criminal justice system: a guide for carers and learning disability services
- Author:
- ARC England
- Publisher:
- ARC England
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 28
- Place of publication:
- Chesterfield
A practical guide providing information for people who support someone with a learning disability, or someone with autism, who comes into contact with the criminal justice system. The guide explains: what happens when people get into trouble, what you can expect, what rights people have, and where to go to for help. The guide looks at all stages of the criminal justice system, from police custody through to courts, prison and probation. (Edited publisher abstract)
Liaison and diversion services: embedding the role of learning disability nurses
- Author:
- SHAW Vanessa Louise
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 7(2), 2016, pp.56-65.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to improve the health and criminal justice outcomes for people who come into contact with the criminal justice system. People with learning disabilities (LD) are particularly vulnerable to health and social inequalities within the criminal justice system. Design/methodology/approach: Using examples from practice, this paper discusses some of the challenges and achievements experienced by a LD nurse employed within a liaison and diversion service within the North-West of England. Findings: Whilst the specific functions of liaison and diversion practitioners are detailed by National Health Service (NHS) England (2014), complexities in communication, multi-disciplinary working and role recognition affect the embedment of the role in practice. Research limitations/implications: The implications for practice are identified and recommendations for further research made. These seek to evaluate the impact of liaison and diversion services from the perspectives of LD nurses within liaison and diversion services, people with LD, their families and the wider multi-disciplinary team. Originality/value: NHS England (2015) are in the process of evaluating of liaison and diversion services. This paper adds to the evaluation by discussing the experiences of a LD nurse within a liaison and diversion service through the inclusion of activity data and illustrative examples. (Edited publisher abstract)