Review into how justice system in Dorset treats people with autism
It's been welcomed by the Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner
The Criminal Justice System’s treatment of people with conditions like autism is being reviewed, and Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner is backing it.
HM Inspectorate of Prisons and HM Inspectorate of Probation are carrying out a review of people with neurodiverse needs, such as those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia or speech and communication difficulties.
Dorset PCC Martyn Underhill says neurodiversity training is now offered to Dorset Police officers after a number of problems with engagement.
People with neurodevelopmental issues such as Autism, ADHD and Dyslexia often benefit from a different approach from police.
Mr Underhill said:
“I remember one of my constitunts contacting me, her son was having neurodiverse issues and one of his ways of expressing himself was to walk around his house in a square, around his block.
“He would leave his house, turn right, turn right, turn right and that behaviour caused several people to call the police complaining that the child in question was stalking them
“The police went to deal with that allegation of stalking and it quickly became apparent that this was just someone with neurodiverse issues expressing themselves in a way that most people found odd.”
He says people with conditions like these need to be approached differently when they come into contact with police.
He cites another incident where a teenager would run off if he saw uniformed officers because of a learning difficulty, so they instead approached him in plain clothes.
Training offered to officers is aimed at understanding the different treatment people with such difficulties need.
Martyn Underhill added:
“What those officers are taught is that if they are aware that someone is on the spectrum… they should plan that arrest very carefully, they should plan the interview very carefully, and they should have an appropriate adult available prior to arrest if possible.”
Findings will help the MoJ develop policies to improve awareness of these conditions, give staff the confidence to support them and help provide better access to rehabilitation services to reduce rehabilitation.
A national call for evidence is now taking place, asking for information from members of the public and charities. Those working in organisations across the criminal justice system are also being asked for information about issues such as adjustments that have made to support people with neurodiverse conditions and what training and support have been received by staff.