The prevalence of ID in Norwegian inmates is significant, measured by WASI and HASI. Identification, rehabilitation and care, concerning an intellectual handicap, are mostly absent in the Norwegian criminal justice system.

This study examined the characteristics of adults with autism spectrum disorder who have undergone a forensic examination and explored any relationships between the diagnosis and the offence. The reports described 41 men and 7 women. The autism spectrum disorder was diagnosed late (mean age: 25.3 years), and 22 of the 48 cases were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder for the first time by the forensic experts. The education level and employment status were low. Family networks were close, but social networks outside the family were limited. Co-morbid diagnoses were common, and more than half of the group knew their victims. The examined individuals constitute a vulnerable and heterogeneous group, as do offenders within other diagnostic categories. Unlike most others who commit criminal acts, the majority of the individuals with autism spectrum disorder in this study showed no evidence of substance abuse, had a close relationship to their victims and were willing to confess to the accused crime. No clear association between the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder and the criminal act were identified, but in most cases, autism spectrum disorder characteristics, such as idiosyncratic comprehensions and obsessions appeared to be related to the motive for the offence.

All kinds of self-reported partner related violence were significantly reduced by treatment, but being on a waiting list for 4 months did not reduce violent behaviour compared with those immediately receiving treatment. The results indicate that that the group treatment had an effect in itself beyond the wish and intention from the men to reduce their partner violence.