Abstract
AbstractPeople with learning disabilities and/or autism encounter considerable challenges on the pathways through the criminal justice and/or forensic health systems. This article presents a thematic analysis of focused discussions between users, professionals and practitioners from health, social care and criminal justice. It is informed by the social model of disability, which dictates its focus on solutions for maximising the full and effective participation of disabled users. Informants raised key challenges, including indirect disability discrimination and risk aversive practice, and evidenced innovative solutions. These include person‐centred, multi‐agency working, screening, information sharing, inclusive service design, nurturing sustainable key relationships and long‐term community support.
Highlights
People with learning disabilities and/or autism who have offended encounter considerable challenges on the pathways through the criminal justice and/or forensic health systems in England and there is a growing body of literature that explains these challenges, which is explored shortly. These include the likely over-representation of people with learning disabilities and/or autism in the criminal justice system (CJS), experiences of inhumane or degrading treatment and a high incidence of reoffending
The current literature and findings from this study suggest that health, criminal justice and social care do often not collaborate as effectively as they could when responding to the often-complex needs of people with learning disabilities and/or autism who have offended
We discussed the importance of ongoing support, starting with more consistent screening (32) for both learning disabilities and autism and information sharing
Summary
People with learning disabilities and/or autism who have offended encounter considerable challenges on the pathways through the criminal justice and/or forensic health systems in England and there is a growing body of literature that explains these challenges, which is explored shortly. These include the likely over-representation of people with learning disabilities and/or autism in the criminal justice system (CJS), experiences of inhumane or degrading treatment and a high incidence of reoffending. This means that, instead of focusing on individual pathology, our focus is on how services and environments need to change
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