Forensic and Offending Behaviours

People with intellectual disabilities (ID) may be somewhat overrepresented in parts of the Criminal Justice System (CJS), but they are mostly not overrepresented in prisons in most Western countries. People with ID in the CJS are mostly male, from deprived social backgrounds, have mild or moderate (not severe) disabilities and often have mental health needs. They commit a range of offences (not disproportionate numbers of arson and sexual offences, as used to be thought) and typically have a number of well-recognised vulnerabilities in the CJS, including not understanding the process or their rights, being suggestible and acquiescent on interview and making unwise decisions at crucial points in the CJS. They are vulnerable to making false confessions, sometimes with fatal consequences. Protections for people with ID in the CJS do exist but often are insufficiently employed. Screening for ID is beginning to be used in some countries in some parts of the CJS and needs to be far more widespread, so that services can be provided where appropriate, including support to ensure their rights are upheld, services to help prevent reoffending and direct treatment. There are increasing numbers of reports of successful treatments available and the development of some specialist risk assessment tools for this population