This report seeks to inform and guide local and national planning and practice related to improving support for people with learning disabilities whose behaviour brings them into contact with the criminal justice system and to reduce offending by them.
The report identifies 6 key challenges and the opportunities to address them.
The six key challenges identified are that-
- People with a learning disability who are at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system should receive the individual support they need to address their (potential) offending behaviour.
- People with a learning disability coming into contact with the criminal justice system should have access to a full range of sentencing options.
- There should be Information sharing protocols between different organisations in the criminal justice pathway.
- People with learning disabilities have the information and support they need to ensure that they are not dis-advantaged as a result of their disability.
- The right to a fair trial of people with a learning disability is protected.
- Suitable support is available to people with learning disabilities to help end the cycle of reoffending.
This report was written with the assistance of the network members. The network also consulted with people with learning disabilities who have experience of the criminal justice system and their views are detailed in the report.
