Characteristics of prisoners with neurodevelopmental disorders and difficulties

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious studies have found high rates of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Intellectual Disability (ID) within the criminal justice system (CJS). However, little is understood about prisoners with neurodevelopmental disorders and difficulties (NDD) or their needs. This study aimed to identify prisoners with NDD and compare their characteristics with prisoners without NDD on a range of socio-demographic and social functioning measures. MethodThis was a descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out using face-to-face interviews with 240 participants in a London Category C prison. Standardised tools were used to assess prisoners for ADHD, ASD and ID. ResultsThe study identified 87 prisoners who screened positive for one or more type of NDD. Participants with NDD were significantly younger and more likely to be single (OR=2.1), homeless (OR=3.4) or unemployed (OR=2.6) before they came into prison. They also had poorer educational achievements that those without NDD. Over 80% of those with NDD had a previous conviction or imprisonment. ConclusionsThe findings confirm the presence of significant numbers of people with NDD in a male prison.Services across the CJS are required for this group; specifically there is a need for raised awareness among those working in the CJS to improve the recognition of offenders with NDD. Services in the community need to work with individual with NDD who are at risk of offending; targeting those who are homeless, unemployed and have poor employment opportunities.

Characteristics of prisoners with intellectual disabilities

“…However, studies examining ND in adult prisoners are in their infancy (McCarthy et al . ), in spite of the evidence of significant comorbidity of these conditions and its relationship to offending in children (Hughes et al . ).…”

“…This is not the case for children or young offenders, where there is evidence of high rates of offending in those with ND and neurodisability (Hughes et al 2012). However, studies examining ND in adult prisoners are in their infancy (McCarthy et al 2016), in spite of the evidence of significant comorbidity of these conditions and its relationship to offending in children (Hughes et al 2012). In addition to significant comorbidity between other NDs and ID, there are also high rates of comorbidity of ID and mental illness.…”

Long‐term outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental disorders: Are they core business for paediatricians?

“…11 This situation is further complicated by cumulative maladaptive consequences across a diverse range of outcome areas, including in education, mental health, social dysfunction, vocational underachievement and crime. [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] From this group comparison and longitudinal data, it is reasonable to draw a number of conclusions. The first is that underlying biological aetiology probably persists in some form for a significant proportion of children with NB problems.…”

“…Multiple studies suggest that clinical challenges persist in many, perhaps the majority, of cases even if the profile of problems changes with time and developmental circumstances . This situation is further complicated by cumulative maladaptive consequences across a diverse range of outcome areas, including in education, mental health, social dysfunction, vocational underachievement and crime …”

A systematic PRISMA review of individuals with autism spectrum disorder in secure psychiatric care: prevalence, treatment, risk assessment and other clinical considerations

“…McCarthy, J., Chaplin, E., Underwood, L., Forrester, A., Hayward, H., Sabet, J., ... & Murphy, D. (2015). Screening and diagnostic assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders in a male prison.…”