A pilot evaluation of using symbol‐based information in police custody

Abstract

Accessible summary Many people who commit crimes in the UK have learning difficulties or disabilities. The police give people information to read in custody, but this information can be confusing. This project presented this information in an easier‐to‐read way using symbols and simple words. We asked different people what they thought of the information and most views were very positive. Summary At least 20–30% of offenders within the criminal justice system (CJS) have learning disabilities or difficulties. This creates significant challenges in relation to meeting their information needs about rights, entitlements, processes and procedures. We report a pilot project where widgit Symbols were used to create more accessible information about rights and entitlements for people entering custody. The widgit Symbol custody sheets were used in two Hampshire Constabulary custody centres for a 4‐week period and feedback gathered from 14 custody officers and inspectors. The views of 27 other important stakeholders, including young people with autism and their families, appropriate adults, and senior personnel within the CJS, were gathered about the sheets through interviews and focus groups. The reaction to the sheets was overwhelmingly positive with many participants suggesting that symbol‐based information in custody could be rolled out nationally and also extended more widely to include other parts of the CJS.

Vulnerability in custody: perceptions and practices of police officers and criminal justice professionals in meeting the communication needs of offenders with learning disabilities and learning difficulties

“…Such changes would need to be mandated, and embedded in the structures and processes of custody, in order to begin to have any influence, not least because of the challenges of identifying vulnerable suspects in the first place. In our pilot project (Parsons & Sherwood, 2015) the use of the Widgit Symbol notice was discretionary, resulting in only a small proportion of potentially vulnerable detained persons receiving them.…”

“…More details about the overall design and approach of the Widgit Symbol custody sheet project can be found in Parsons and Sherwood (2015). Nevertheless, brief clarification of the context and rationale for implementing symbol-based information is important.…”

“…The custody personnel interviewed had taken part in a 4-week pilot of using the Widgit Symbol rights and entitlements notice in custody on a discretionary basis and so had the opportunity to give them to detained persons (Parsons & Sherwood, 2015; in press). Interviews.…”

“…Preferences for, and effectiveness of, different accessible formats vary and so symbols may not be the answer for everyone; this context is covered in more detail elsewhere (Parsons & Sherwood, 2015).…”

“…One of the major structural barriers for disabled people in the UK is the provision of written information in non-accessible forms (Talbot, 2010). This paper is situated in the context of a project that piloted and evaluated the use of an accessible 'rights and entitlements' notice designed for young people and vulnerable adults i in police custody (Parsons & Sherwood, 2015). The notice incorporated Widgit Symbols and was trialled in two custody centres with positive indications for future use (Parsons & Sherwood, in press).…”