The importance of identifying vulnerable females and males with autism in the prison environment

Allely, CS; Wood, A; Gillberg, C

Abstract

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterised by impairments in social reciprocal interactions and communication and by restrictive, repetitive pattern of interests and behaviour (American Psychiatric Association (APA), 2000, 2013). There has been little investigation into the difficulties experienced by individuals with autism when they enter prison. The few studies that have been published suggest the existence of additional difficulties faced by this population within the prison environment. In a recent review of the literature, Allely (2015) identified only four studies that investigated the experience of individuals with autism in the prison environment. All four found that prisoners with autism face a number of difficulties within the prison environment such as poor relationships with prison staff and other inmates. However, to date, these studies have involved case studies or small samples and are predominantly comprising of males with autism.

• Publication Date: Nov 30, 2018
• Deposit Date: Mar 14, 2019
• Pages: 156-166
• Book Title: Access to Justice for Vulnerable People
• ISBN: 9780854902675
• Publisher URL: https://www.wildy.com/isbn/9780854902675/access-to-justice-for-vulnerable-people
• Related Public URLs: https://www.wildy.com/home