Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Persons with intellectual disability in prison
- Author:
- SPREAT Scott
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 11(4), 2020, pp.233-237.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the prevalence with which individuals with intellectual disability are housed in jails and prisons. Design/methodology/approach: This was a literature review of individuals with intellectual disability who are in prison. Findings: Persons with intellectual disability are imprisoned approximately seven times more frequently than would be expected by their prevalence in the general population. Research limitations/implications: Factors likely to contribute to this overrepresentation are reviewed, including need for supports and acquiescence of people with intellectual disability. Practical implications: People who have intellectual disability do not receive needed supports and services in prison. Social implications: Supports are needed to end this overreliance on prisons to support people who have intellectual disability. Originality/value: The paper highlights the magnitude by which imprisonment exceeds the level that would be expected from population prevalence alone. It highlights the problems associated with insufficient funding and supports. (Edited publisher abstract)
England’s most disadvantaged groups: people with learning disabilities
- Author:
- EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
- Publisher:
- Equality and Human Rights Commission
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 11
- Place of publication:
- London
This spotlight report focusses on the experiences of people with learning disabilities, drawing on the findings from Is England Fairer? (Equality and Human Rights Commission, 2016). It examines the experiences of people with learning disabilities in relation to education, work, health and care, and prisons. There is increased recognition of the disadvantages that people with learning disabilities face. However, change has been slow and many people with learning disabilities are still ‘cared for’ rather than ‘supported with’. The result is that many learning disabled people are still excluded and continue to face inequality in every aspect of their lives. The report indicates that a greater number of learning disabled people are currently in higher education than in previous years. However, six months after qualifying, leavers with a specific learning disability were less likely to be in full-time work. People with learning disabilities have also considerably poorer health than the general population and they are not correctly identified and supported by the criminal justice system. (Edited publisher abstract)
Experiences of prison inmates with autism spectrum disorders and the knowledge and understanding of the spectrum amongst prison staff: a review
- Author:
- ALLELY Clare
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 6(2), 2015, pp.55-67.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the research which has examined the link between autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and offending behaviour and the impact of prison on individuals with ASDs. Studies suggest that inmates with ASDs may be at an increased risk of bullying, confrontations, exploitation, anxiety and social isolation as a result of their ASD traits such as obsessions, social naivety and impaired empathy. Design/methodology/approach: An extensive review of the literature. Findings: The review identifies a modest amount of studies (n=4) which have explored the experience of individuals with ASD in prison and highlights that inmates with ASDs face a multitude of problems when they enter prison. Despite an extensive literature search only one study was identified which investigated the knowledge and understanding of ASDs amongst prison staff. Research limitations/implications: Further research is urgently needed to consider the specific problems faced by inmates with ASD, to identify how to make the prison environment safer and more supportive for inmates with ASD and how to reduce the likelihood of re-offending. Practical implications: This review highlights that, to date, there has been relatively little to guide service design in order to develop support services for individuals with ASD in prison. There has been a scarcity of studies investigating the effectiveness of various treatment models to target offending behaviour in individuals with ASD. Originality/value: This paper fulfils an identified need to study and identify the specific problems faced by inmates with ASD and to identify changes which are required to provide an environment in prison which is safer and more supportive. (Publisher abstract)
A case study of an embedded system in prison to support individuals with learning difficulties and disabilities in the criminal justice system
- Authors:
- KIRBY Amanda, SAUNDERS Lisette
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 6(2), 2015, pp.112-124.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe first the rationale for an embedded process for learning difficulties and disabilities in the criminal justice system (CJS). This is followed by an example of how this approach has been delivered in one offender setting. The use of a novel computerised assessment tool is described, and the way it has been used to undertake the initial screening processes and provide person centred guidance for staff and the individuals. The bio-psychosocial approach to supporting individuals moving through the CJS is suggested as an approach that could be potentially used in other prisons settings. The paper also highlights some of the current challenges in doing so. Design/methodology/approach: This paper presents a review of the currently literature to provide a rationale for the example of the embedded approach taken. Findings: The approach, aligns to the challenges cited in much of the research. Practical implications: The model presented can be used as a basis for potentially delivering such a system in other prisons settings and to highlight areas that remain contentious. Social implications: The embedded model represents a bio-psychosocial approach to supporting individuals moving through the CJS so has important implications. (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.
Dual diagnosis among incarcerated populations: exception or rule?
- Authors:
- SCOTT Charles L., LEWIS Catherine F., MCDERMOTT Barbara E.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dual Diagnosis, 3(1), 2006, pp.33-58.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Over 2 million individuals were incarcerated in jails and prisons in the United States in 2004. Multiple studies indicate that the prevalence of mental illness and substance use disorders is substantially higher in correctional environments when compared with rates in the community. The objective of this paper is to provide information on the prevalence of dual diagnosis among those incarcerated and the importance of assessing comorbidity for determining treatment needs of inmates. For the purposes of this article, the definition of dual diagnosis includes mental disorders and coexisting substance use disorders, mental disorders and coexisting developmental disabilities, and developmental disabilities and coexisting substance abuse disorders. An extensive electronic literature search was conducted through PubMed, Medline, Department of Justice, and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. Studies examining the prevalence of mental illness and substance use in jails and prisons, female inmates, and inmates with developmental disabilities were reviewed. The literature reviewed indicated a high comorbidity of mental illness and substance use disorders in incarcerated individuals. Providers should be aware of issues regarding dual diagnosis in special populations among those incarcerated to include female offenders and offenders with developmental disabilities. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).