Intellectual disability in Irish prisoners: systematic review of prevalence

Abstract

While individuals with an intellectual disability form a significant minority in the worldwide prison population, their healthcare needs require specialist attention. In Ireland, services for prisoners with intellectual disabilities need development. However, there is little substantive data estimating prevalence of intellectual disabilities within the Irish prison system. Design We systematically review published data relating to the prevalence of intellectual disabilities in prisons in the Republic of Ireland. We searched four databases, governmental websites and corresponded with experts. Findings Little published data were elicited from searches except for one nationwide cross sectional survey which reflected a higher prevalence than reported in international studies. Studies from forensic mental health populations are narrated to contextualize findings. Value This study found that there is little data to accurately estimate the prevalence of intellectual disabilities in the Irish prison system and the limited data available suggests that this is likely to be higher than international estimates. We highlight the need for further research to accurately estimate prevalence in this jurisdiction, alongside the need to develop screening and care pathways for prisoners with an intellectual disability.

Forensic psychiatry and Covid-19: accelerating transformation in forensic psychiatry

“…There was prior awareness of seasonal excess mortality (EuroMOMO, 2020). Trolley queues in emergency departments have now vanished overnight, but waiting lists of severely mentally ill people in prison remain (Giblin et al 2012;O'Neill et al 2016;Gulati et al 2018) Forensic psychiatry and Covid-19 149 with high risks of suicide for those with substance misuse (Iqtidar et al 2018) and criticism by international human rights bodies (Council of Europe, 2020a). This may prompt a greater sense of social responsibility and should prompt social intervention and prevention in ways that have not happened for the late 20th century/early 21st century epidemics of psychosis and drug-related morbidity, co-morbidity and mortality.…”

“…In recent years, driven by new population needs, forensic psychiatry services have begun to develop new subspecialties within forensic psychiatry including forensic psychiatry for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (Gulati et al 2018), forensic psychiatry for child and adolescent patients (Flynn et al 2012) and for older patients (Davoren et al 2014). These are exciting developments.…”

Dificultades para la detección de personas con discapacidad intelectual y psicosocial detenidas por la policía en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires

“…Un reciente estudio realizado en cárceles españolas reportó que el 3.77 % de las personas evaluadas tenía un CI (IQ) <70 y dicho porcentaje se elevaba al 11 % se si tomaban valores límites de CI (Tort et al, 2016). Por su parte otro estudio realizado publicado en 2017 sobre la prevalencia de las personas con discapacidad intelectual en las cárceles del Reino Unido reportó que el 11 % de los reclusos presentaba una discapacidad intelectual (Chaplin et al, 2017) En tanto que en Irlanda se estimó que el 28 % de la población penitenciaria presenta una discapacidad intelectual (Gulati et al, 2018) En un estudio realizado ya hace 25 años Lyall y colaboradores hallaron que el 11,5 % de las personas detenidas en un lapso de tres meses en una Comisaría de Londres había concurrido a una escuela especial (Lyall et al, 1995).…”

Autism spectrum disorder and Irish prisoners

“…Pilot programmes aimed at improving awareness among police have reported positive outcomes (Murphy et al, 2018). Developments in screening and care pathways for those with ID in Irish prisons (Gulati et al, 2018a(Gulati et al, , 2018b may help improve diagnosis rates for those with ID who have comorbid ASD.…”