"Screening for possible neurodivergence will allow more informed legal decision-making, taking into account cognitive and communicicative differences. It can also help ensure defendants get access to legal protection and appropriate counsel. This could improve both the treatment and experiences of neurodivergent people in the criminal justice system and ultimately lead to fairer outcomes, including protection under the law, which is a basic human right."
"The project was co-led by Dr Tanya Procyshyn, a research associate at ARC, and Metropolitan Police detective Dion Brown. The findings have been published in Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health. Dr Procyshyn said screening could help avoid unnecessary criminalisation of misunderstood behaviour. Brown added: Early identification helps officers interpret behaviours that might otherwise be misunderstood and ensures appropriate support is provided. This approach creates opportunities to divert vulnerable individuals away from the criminal justice process and towards the help they may need."
Half of people detained over an eight-week period in London showed signs of possible undiagnosed ADHD, while one in 20 showed signs of possible undiagnosed autism. Routine neurodivergence screening in police custody is recommended to inform legal decision-making, ensure access to legal protection and appropriate counsel, and improve treatment and experiences in the criminal justice system. Early identification can help officers interpret behaviours that might otherwise be misunderstood and enable diversion toward support rather than criminalisation. Overrepresentation of autistic people and those with ADHD in prisons is noted, and ADHD medication can reduce impulse-driven risk in some individuals. Screening took place across six custody centres with voluntary offers to detainees.
Read at www.standard.co.uk
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