Asperger syndrome and criminal behaviour

Dein, Kalpana; Woodbury‐Smith, Marc

doi:10.1192/apt.bp.107.005082

Cited by 55 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…There is debate in the literature over whether offending behaviour in ASD is associated with psychopathy or not (see Dein and Woodbury-Smith, 2010). The rate of lifetime physical violence in the ASD group was high at 78 per cent but significantly lower than that found in the control group (93 per cent).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of male autistic spectrum patients in low security: are they different from non‐autistic low secure patients?

Haw

Radley

Cooke

2013

Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour

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Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to describe the characteristics of adult male autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) patients admitted to low secure services and to compare them with non-ASD patients. Design/methodology/approach -Case-control study of admissions to two ASD units and one non-ASD unit at a tertiary referral centre. Subjects were compared on demographic, personal, clinical and offending behaviour variables. Findings -In total, 51 ASD and 43 controls were studied. Median age at diagnosis of ASD was 21 years (range 6-56). The ASD group were younger (median age 27 vs 33 years) and more likely to be single than controls. Their age at first contact with psychiatric services was lower and proportionally more were admitted from prison and courts. Almost three-quarters had psychiatric comorbidity, most commonly schizophrenia, but unlike controls, personality disorder and drug and alcohol disorders were uncommon. Lifetime sexually inappropriate behaviour and physical violence were less common, as was non-compliance with medication. However, 78 per cent had a lifetime history of physical violence and a third had a conviction for GBH or homicide. Offending behaviour was sometimes atypical in nature and some had convictions for unusual offences such as harassment and stalking.Research limitations/implications -The age difference between cases and controls is likely to have confounded the results. Findings cannot be generalised to the NHS. Originality/value -This group of ASD patients in low security differed in several important respects from their non-ASD counterparts, which highlights their differing treatment needs, strengths and weaknesses.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of male autistic spectrum patients in low security: are they different from non‐autistic low secure patients?

Haw

Radley

Cooke

2013

Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…They suggested that training to increase the ability of prison staff to recognise symptoms of ASD, the development of specific pathways of care for individuals with ASD in prison and the introduction of specialist wings for prisoners with ASD may help to improve their custodial experience. In an earlier paper the same authors also highlighted the need for care when managing transitions through the CJS (Dein and Woodbury-Smith, 2010). Another paper suggested that mental health staff could improve the management of prisoners with ASD by undertaking an educational and consultative role with prison and court staff (Freckelton, 2013).…”

Section: Management Of People With Autistic Spectrum Disorders In Primentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and implementation of autism standards for prisons

Lewis

Pritchett

Hughes

et al. 2015

Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour

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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the experience of a southern English young offenders institution in developing and implementing standards to improve awareness and care of prisoners with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). Design/methodology/approach – Some contextual factors driving the project are discussed, the multi-agency process involved in the development and implementation of the standards is described and recommendations are made regarding implementation of the standards in other settings. Findings – It is expected that successful implementation of the standards will reduce the level of distress and difficulty experienced by people with ASD who find themselves in custody, it will also improve the prison’s ability to meet the needs of prisoners with ASD and thereby improve rehabilitation and reduce any adverse impact on everyday operational processes. Demonstrating success in meeting the standards will enable the prison to achieve accreditation by the National Autistic Society. In March 2015 the prisons minister encouraged all prisons to follow this approach and this will have practice and resource implications. Originality/value – This paper describes a clear framework which prisons can use to work systematically towards achieving good practice in addressing the needs of prisoners with ASD. It will enable prisons to meet the duties imposed on them by the Autism Act, 2009 and the Equalities Act, 2010.

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“…Mouridsen et al (2008) suggested that neurocognitive problems and associated psychiatric illness are important risk factors to consider. Indeed, antisocial personality disorder has been noted amongst offenders with ASD (Dein & Woodbury"Smith, 2010;Långström, Grann, Ruchkin, Sjöstedt, & Fazel, 2009). It is possible that such difficulties remain undiagnosed if a diagnosis of ASD is present.…”

Section: ! "mentioning

confidence: 99%