Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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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)
Effective responses to offenders with intellectual disabilities: generalist and specialist services working together
- Authors:
- ELLEM Kathy, WILSON Jill, CHUI Wing Hong
- Journal article citation:
- Australian Social Work, 65(3), September 2012, pp.398-412.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The prison system can be particularly traumatising for people with intellectual disabilities, often involving victimisation, segregation, and isolation. Prevalence figures for prisoners with intellectual disabilities ranges from 2.6% to 39.6%. This paper reports on the life stories of 10 people with intellectual disabilities, who had been imprisoned in adult correctional facilities in Queensland. The life stories were gathered from a series of in-depth interviews conducted over a period of 12 months with ex-prisoners (7 men and 3 women) aged from 26-68 years at the time of the first interview. Supplementary data were also gathered from semistructured interviews with 6 practitioners from disability, mental health, and ex-prisoner services. The findings showed that the pathways taken by these 10 people into and out of prison were marked by significant abuse, neglect, and poverty. Significant disparity and disconnection was also displayed between the policies and service approaches, particularly between the disability, mental health, and correctional systems in Queensland. Based on these findings, a framework for practice, which spans both generic and specialist services, is suggested.
Missing out: offenders with learning disabilities and the criminal justice system
- Author:
- HAYES Susan
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 35(3), September 2007, pp.146-153.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Whilst there has been an increase in research and clinical attention relating to the accused person or offender with a learning disability in the criminal justice system, some major areas require further inter-agency effort. These areas include: better identification of this group, increased education and training for criminal justice personnel, more opportunities for diversion from the criminal justice system, and better services in the community and secure units or prisons, to meet their needs. This paper reviews the current situation and literature in each of these important areas. It also refers to systems for improving recognition of the individual with a learning disability in the criminal justice system, better coordination between agencies and sharing of information and more education for police and other criminal justice agencies. The advantages and disadvantages of diversionary options are reviewed, along with other areas of need which must be addressed, including the individual’s physical and mental health, therapeutic interventions, specialist programmes, education and welfare services.
Reflections on systemic barriers for ethnic minorities in accessing community-based forensic services for people with intellectual disabilities and autism
- Author:
- COLEMAN Mercedez
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 13(1), 2022, pp.12-19.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Community-based forensic support services (CBFSSs) were commissioned nationally by National Health Service (NHS) England in 2017 in response to “Building the Right Support” (NHS England, 2015). CBFSSs provide multidisciplinary support to adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism who are in (or at risk of) contact with the criminal justice system and those transitioning from inpatient secure care. This paper aims to highlight potential systemic barriers to accessing community forensic services for people from an ethnic minority background. in one CBFSSs in Northern England. Design/methodology/approach: This paper provides preliminary reflections on potential systemic barriers within the criminal justice system and health-care services that have implications for service users from ethnic minority backgrounds accessing CBFSSs. Findings: There is a paucity of data, policy and literature that focuses on people with intellectual disabilities and autism with forensic needs from ethnic minority backgrounds. This lack of data obstructs further reforms to meet the needs of this population. Originality/value: CBFSSs are commissioned across England. While some regional variation is to be expected, services should be aware of the systemic barriers people from ethnic minority backgrounds within their region face. These barriers should be considered and addressed when evaluating service efficacy and delivery. Recommendations are made to review and address issues of under-representation of ethnic minorities within CBFSSs. (Edited publisher abstract)
There to help 2: ensuring provision of appropriate adults for vulnerable adults detained or interviewed by police
- Author:
- BATH Chris
- Publisher:
- National Appropriate Adult Network
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 115
- Place of publication:
- Ashford
Based on Freedom of Information Act requests to police forces in England and Wales, this report provides an updated on the need for, and access to, appropriate adults (AA) for vulnerable adults in police custody. Vulnerable adults may have a mental illness, learning disability, brain injury or autism. The report provides information on: the identification of need for an AA amongst adult suspects; the application of the AA safeguard (the extent to which vulnerable adult suspects actually receive the support of an AA); and the availability of organised AA provision in England and Wales. Based on police figures, the report finds that in the 12 months ending 31st March 2018 at least 111,445 police detentions and voluntary interviews of vulnerable adult suspects were carried out without the support of an 'appropriate adult'. It also found that where police had no access to an organised AA scheme, they were half as likely to record an adult as needing one. Despite being a key recommendation of There to Help (2015), local authorities are only legally required to run schemes for children, not for vulnerable adults. The report makes a number of recommendations. (Edited publisher abstract)
Psychotherapy for people with learning disabilities: creating possibilities and opportunities. A review of the literature
- Author:
- TAYLOR Jon
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Learning Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 1(3), October 2010, pp.15-25.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
People with learning disabilities have traditionally been denied access to a range of psychological therapies. Similarly, offenders with learning disabilities, particularly in prison settings, have largely been unable to access treatment strategies that are provided for offenders who do not have such disabilities. As a consequence these individuals are denied the opportunity to address their criminogenic needs or attend to their psychological welfare. This paper provides a brief exploration of the reasons and evidence for such practice, alongside the evidence that people with learning disabilities can successfully engage in psychotherapy. It is concluded that there is no evidence that would support the exclusion of people with disabilities from treatment options. Psychotherapeutic approaches with a strong evidence base for the general population can be routinely modified to increase their accessibility for people with learning disabilities.
Learning disabilities and access to offender behaviour programmes in prison: a High Court decision
- Author:
- McARDLE Isabel
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Learning Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 1(2), July 2010, pp.27-29.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This short article is an account of the legal case study of “‘R’ (on the application of Dennis Gill) versus Secretary of State for Justice (2010) EWHC 364 (Admin)” which drew attention to the fact that offenders with learning disabilities (LD) were not being provided with an equal or adequate level of offending behaviour treatment work, and as such there was a deficit in the system. The case was a claim for judicial review by Dennis Gill, a life sentence prisoner with LD, who had served well over twice his four-year tariff but due to his LD had not been permitted to take part in any offending behaviour programmes. The author lists three implications for practice. She advises this case has created a precedent for other prisoners with LD. Prisons should now take greater steps to assist prisoners with LD to take part in the offender behaviour programmes recommended as part of their sentence plans This could include one-on-one programmes with prisoners being assisted by qualified trainers or moved to establishments better able to meet their needs.