New research by the Prison Reform Trust released today shows that people with a learning disability in prison are not being identified. They are also bullied, cut out of rehabilitation courses and prison staff are not given the training or resources to deal with them.

The report, based on an unprecedented survey of professionals within prisons in England and Wales, shows that some prisoners with a learning disability do not even know why they are in prison. The report also estimates that 16,000 - 24,000 prisoners in England and Wales, 20-30% of the population, have a learning disability or difficulty that interferes with their ability to cope. 

Joyce Quin, the former prisons minister, and chair of the research programme said: 

"We now know that significant numbers of prisoners are not receiving the support they need to address their offending behaviour, turn away from crime and lead constructive lives. This cannot continue. There are islands of good intentions and good practice within prisons but it is time for the government to conduct a major review of how people with such disabilities and difficulties are treated, to stop prison  becoming a double punishment." 

Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust said: 

"At best, work with this group of prisoners is ineffective; at worst it's downright cruel to incarcerate people who may find it hard to understand what's going on, who are more likely to be picked on or bullied by other prisoners and who may leave prison less able to cope and more likely to re-offend." 

Dame Jo Williams, the Chief Executive of Mencap, who are working with the programme, said: 

"It is concerning that prisoners with a learning disability are not having their needs met. Better awareness training is needed for prison staff, giving them a greater understanding of this issue and enabling them to fully support people with a learning disability throughout their time in prison. Similarly, prison education programmes need to be tailored to meet the needs of a broader range of people so that everyone who goes through the prison system has a chance of leading a successful life when they have finished their sentence."  

80% of prison staff polled said that it was ‘unlikely’ or 'only a in minority' of cases that people with a learning disability coming into prison would have their condition flagged up. 

Over half of respondents said that prisoners were bullied and victimized because of their learning difficulty or learning disability. 

One of the advisors on the group’s work, who also has a learning disability, and who has first hand experience of the criminal justice system, said: 

"They should treat you the same as other people. They are rough with you when they think you are thick." 

Staff also identified grave problems for prisoners, with a learning disability, in understanding the court and prison system. One recounted a conversation with a young prisoner:  

“’When the judge asked me if I was remorseful, I said 'no', and then he told me I was coming here’. This young man had not heard that word before. He also said that he didn't have much idea what was going on in the court and didn't understand what people were saying although he knew they were talking about him.” 

Others pointed out that many vital courses to progress sentences were completely unsuitable for people with learning disabilities. This left people with learning difficulties stuck in a maze with no exit and likely to spend longer in prison than others with similar sentences. One respondent said: 

“The most profoundly affected should not be in prison as it is akin to locking up a five-year old and has no effect on their potential to re-offend. I can think of no more inappropriate place to send such people.” 

Finally, staff themselves felt that they had not been adequately equipped. 70% of respondents commented on inadequate resources, in particular insufficient staff time, inadequate staffing levels and a lack of specialist staff and provision, including adapted offending behaviour programmes.

You can view the full report here. 

For further information, please contact, the Prison Reform Trust on 020 7251 5070

NOTES 

No One Knows is a UK-wide programme based at the Prison Reform Trust that aims to effect change by exploring and publicising the experiences of people with learning difficulties and learning disabilities who come into contact with the criminal justice system.  

It is supported by The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund until October 2008 and is chaired by the Rt Hon the Baroness Joyce Quin, former prisons minister for England and Wales. 

The research is being released in a report called No One Knows: identifying and supporting prisoners with learning difficulties and learning disabilities: the views of prison staff  at the parliamentary launch of the programme of work on Wednesday 7 March, in the House of Lords, with Joyce Quin chairing. Embargoed copies of the full report available on request.