. 2024 Apr 12;22(1):157.

doi: 10.1186/s12916-024-03320-3.

Identification and support of autistic individuals within the UK Criminal Justice System: a practical approach based upon professional consensus with input from lived experience

Emma Woodhouse^{1

2}, Jack Hollingdale¹, Lisa Davies³, Zainab Al-Attar^{4

5

6

7}, Susan Young^{8

9}, Luke P Vinter¹⁰, Kwaku Agyemang¹¹, Carla Bartlett¹², Colleen Berryessa¹³, Eddie Chaplin¹⁴, Quinton Deeley^{2

15}, Ian Freckelton^{16

17}, Felicity Gerry^{18

19}, Gisli Gudjonsson², Katie Maras²⁰, Michelle Mattison²¹, Jane McCarthy^{2

22}, Richard Mills^{23

24}, Peter Misch²⁵, David Murphy²⁶, Clare Allely²⁷

Affiliations

¹ Compass Psychology Services Ltd, London, UK.
² Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
³ Expert Psychological Services, Brighton, UK.
⁴ University of Oxford, London, UK.
⁵ University College London, London, UK.
⁶ Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
⁷ University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
⁸ Psychology Services Limited, London, UK.
⁹ University of Reykjavík, Reykjavík, Iceland.
¹⁰ Department of Criminology, University of Derby, Derby, UK.
¹¹ Barnet, Enfield & Haringey NHS Trust, London, UK.
¹² Tully Forensic Psychology Ltd, Nottingham, UK.
¹³ School of Criminal Justice, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA.
¹⁴ London South Bank University, Institute of Health and Social Care, London, UK.
¹⁵ National Autism Unit, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
¹⁶ Law Faculty and Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
¹⁷ Castan Chambers, Melbourne, Australia.
¹⁸ Libertas Chambers, London, UK.
¹⁹ Crockett Chambers, Melbourne, Australia.
²⁰ University of Bath, Bath, UK.
²¹ University of Chester, Chester, UK.
²² University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
²³ AT-Autism, London, UK.
²⁴ Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
²⁵ Royal College of Psychiatrists, London, UK.
²⁶ Broadmoor Hospital, West London NHS Trust, London, UK.
²⁷ School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Manchester, UK. C.S.Allely@salford.ac.uk.

PMID: 38609939
PMCID: PMC11015650
DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03320-3

Identification and support of autistic individuals within the UK Criminal Justice System: a practical approach based upon professional consensus with input from lived experience

Emma Woodhouse et al. BMC Med. 2024.

. 2024 Apr 12;22(1):157.

doi: 10.1186/s12916-024-03320-3.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Compass Psychology Services Ltd, London, UK.
² Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
³ Expert Psychological Services, Brighton, UK.
⁴ University of Oxford, London, UK.
⁵ University College London, London, UK.
⁶ Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
⁷ University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
⁸ Psychology Services Limited, London, UK.
⁹ University of Reykjavík, Reykjavík, Iceland.
¹⁰ Department of Criminology, University of Derby, Derby, UK.
¹¹ Barnet, Enfield & Haringey NHS Trust, London, UK.
¹² Tully Forensic Psychology Ltd, Nottingham, UK.
¹³ School of Criminal Justice, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA.
¹⁴ London South Bank University, Institute of Health and Social Care, London, UK.
¹⁵ National Autism Unit, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
¹⁶ Law Faculty and Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
¹⁷ Castan Chambers, Melbourne, Australia.
¹⁸ Libertas Chambers, London, UK.
¹⁹ Crockett Chambers, Melbourne, Australia.
²⁰ University of Bath, Bath, UK.
²¹ University of Chester, Chester, UK.
²² University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
²³ AT-Autism, London, UK.
²⁴ Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
²⁵ Royal College of Psychiatrists, London, UK.
²⁶ Broadmoor Hospital, West London NHS Trust, London, UK.
²⁷ School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Manchester, UK. C.S.Allely@salford.ac.uk.

PMID: 38609939
PMCID: PMC11015650
DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03320-3

Abstract

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (hereafter referred to as autism) is characterised by difficulties with (i) social communication, social interaction, and (ii) restricted and repetitive interests and behaviours. Estimates of autism prevalence within the criminal justice system (CJS) vary considerably, but there is evidence to suggest that the condition can be missed or misidentified within this population. Autism has implications for an individual's journey through the CJS, from police questioning and engagement in court proceedings through to risk assessment, formulation, therapeutic approaches, engagement with support services, and long-term social and legal outcomes.

Methods: This consensus based on professional opinion with input from lived experience aims to provide general principles for consideration by United Kingdom (UK) CJS personnel when working with autistic individuals, focusing on autistic offenders and those suspected of offences. Principles may be transferable to countries beyond the UK. Multidisciplinary professionals and two service users were approached for their input to address the effective identification and support strategies for autistic individuals within the CJS.

Results: The authors provide a consensus statement including recommendations on the general principles of effective identification, and support strategies for autistic individuals across different levels of the CJS.

Conclusion: Greater attention needs to be given to this population as they navigate the CJS.

Keywords: Assessment; Autism; Crime; Criminal justice system (CJS); Forensics; Offending; Risk; Support.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

In the last 5 years: SY has received honoraria for consultancy and educational talks from HB Pharma, Medice and Takeda. She is the author of the Diagnostic Autism Spectrum Interview [DASI]. The views of the authors are their own and are not reflective of Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service. EW, JH and SY deliver training on autism assessment tools to professionals.

The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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References

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1. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th edn, text revision). Washington, US: APA; 2022.

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Identification and support of autistic individuals within the UK Criminal Justice System: a practical approach based upon professional consensus with input from lived experience

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Identification and support of autistic individuals within the UK Criminal Justice System: a practical approach based upon professional consensus with input from lived experience

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Conflict of interest statement

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