Ongoing efforts being made by the Ministry of Justice to support those in the criminal justice system who live with brain injury have been praised.
In an update on its response to the action plan around Neurodiversity in the Criminal Justice System – which was subject to a review of evidence in 2021, with a series of recommendations made – a number of actions have been identified.
These include issuing guidance on best practice and avenues for support, as well as creating specialist positions to drive change in the prison service.
The steps are aimed at taking necessary cultural change that will prevent people entering, or remaining in, the criminal justice system.
While a number of steps have been taken already – including the rollout of training to 63,000 prison and probation staff and the screening of prisoners – the new update has been welcomed as further much-needed action to help support those who face challenges in understanding and navigating the criminal justice system and want to find a path back out.
In society, around one in three people sustain a brain injury – but among men, women and young people in the prison population that statistic can be up to give times higher.
The UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum (UKABIF) and the Criminal Justice Acquired Brain Injury Interest Group (CJABIIG) both welcomed the latest efforts to introduce more measures to support those in the criminal justice system.
Chloe Hayward, UKABIF’s executive director, said: “We are really pleased to see the progress that the Government and criminal justice agencies are taking to ensure that neurodiversity is addressed with the seriousness and commitment that people with an acquired brain injury deserve.
“The evidence base for change continues to strengthen, as published by ABI Justice Network members and others, and we are delighted that our ongoing advocacy is taking effect. We look forward to seeing the outcomes of the actions being taken to start to improve the lives of those affected by brain injury.”
Professor Nathan Hughes, Chair of CJABIIG and Professor of Adolescent Health and Justice at the University of Sheffield, said: “The effects of brain injury, which typically include poorer memory and impulsivity, make it harder to navigate criminal justice processes, including contact with the police, probation services and prisons, to engage well with them and to get appropriate support.
“Research has shown how practices of criminal justice agencies can be adapted to be effective for people with ABI and help them to understand and better manage their behaviour; however, such practices are not commonplace.
“We are pleased to be working closely with the government as it implements its action plan and considers what further steps can be taken as part of its commitment to a cross-government strategic approach”.
UKABIF published its Time for Change Report in 2018, which made a number of proposals on the subject, which it hopes will be further supported in the action plan and in the forthcoming ABI Strategy:
- Criminal justice procedures, practices and processes should be reformed to take into account the needs of individuals with Acquired Brain Injury
- Training and information about Acquired Brain Injury is required across all services including the police, court, probation and prison services
- Brain injury screening for children, young people and adults is required on entry to the criminal justice system and, if identified, an assessment of the effects, deficits, severity and impact is required with the appropriate interventions planned and implemented by a trained team.
