‘I'm Not Even Bothered if they Think, is that Autism?’: An Exploratory Study Assessing Autism Training Needs for Prison Officers in the Scottish Prison Service
| Published date | 01 December 2021 |
| Author | FRANK SLOKAN,MARIA IOANNOU |
| Date | 01 December 2021 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1111/hojo.12432 |
The Howard Journal Vol60 No 4. December 2021 DOI: 10.1111/hojo.12432
ISSN 2059-1098, pp. 546–563
‘I’m Not Even Bothered if they Think, is
that Autism?’: An Exploratory Study
Assessing Autism Training Needs for
Prison Officers in the Scottish Prison
Service
FRANK SLOKAN and MARIA IOANNOU
Frank Slokan is PhD Student, Abertay University, Scotland and Criminal
Justice Theme Lead, Scottish Prison Service; Maria Ioannou is Professor in
Investigative and Forensic Psychology, Director of the Secure Societies
Institute and Course Director for the MSc Investigative Psychology and MSc
Security Science, Department of Psychology, University of Huddersfield
Abstract: Previous studies indicate that autistic individuals can experience increased
distress in prison, leading to significant disruption in the prison regime and difficulties in
rehabilitation (Allely 2015; Allen et al. 2008). This exploratory study investigates autism
knowledge and training needs among prison officers. Current understanding, possible
training content and a strategy for implementation of autism training for officers are all
explored. Methods utilised include a survey and interviews/focus group. Themes identified
include specific vulnerabilities, staff skill, training needs and implementation barriers.
Participants showed some awareness, but lacked understanding of autism in a prison
setting. This article explores whether focused training on one condition is problematic,
due to limited resources within the prison system. A wider focus on practical skills to
supporting people with neurodiverse conditions and links with non-prison-based local
health services is seen as more effective than focusing on individual diagnosis within a
prison setting.
Keywords: autism; prison; Scotland; training
The identification and management of vulnerable prisoners has been
identified as an important area for the criminal justice system across
the UK (HM Inspectorate of Prisons 2018; Kirby and Gibbon 2018).
This is particularly true for neurodiverse people in prison, with autis-
tic individuals often being the biggest subgroup identified. Research
suggests that a diagnosis of autism may increase an individual’s vulner-
ability to becoming involved with the criminal justice system, both as a
546
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2021 The Authors. The Howard Journal of Crime and Justice published by Howard League
and John Wiley & Sons Ltd
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which per-
mits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
The Howard Journal Vol60 No 4. December 2021
ISSN 2059-1098, pp. 546–563
victim of crime or an offender (Allely 2015; Berryessa 2016; Cashin and
Newman 2009).
Contributing factors to an increased risk include social naiveté, difficul-
ties with social situations, obsessional interests, difficulties with change and
problems with behavioural planning (Helverschou et al. 2015; Robertson
and McGillivray 2015). There have been suggestions that behaviours as-
sociated with autism are misinterpreted within the criminal justice system
and autistic individuals may consequently be considered to lack remorse
(Allen et al. 2008; Berryessa 2016).
Exact prevalence rates are difficult to establish, with estimates across
the criminal justice sector ranging from 3% to 27%, compared with an esti-
mated rate of 1% in the general population (Fazio, Pietz and Denney 2012;
King and Murphy 2014). There is concern that a high proportion of un-
diagnosed autistic individuals within prison may lead to potential difficul-
ties around rehabilitation, management and the future risk of reoffending
(Ashworth 2016). It has been found that autistic people in prison are more
likely to require intensive support, be disruptive to regimes and receive
more adjudications against them (Allely 2015; Myers 2004; Robinson et al.
2012).
This study explores autism in custodial settings, the level of staff knowl-
edge and how a training programme may be implemented. It argues that
a specific focus on a singular condition is not viable within the limited re-
sources available. A focus on neurodiversity in general, with alternative
ways of disseminating information is recommended.
Autistic Experiences of Prison
Only three published studies have investigated the experiences of autistic
people within a custodial setting, relying generally on low numbers of par-
ticipants. Overall, the findings identified specific vulnerabilities and sup-
port needs, though only Myers (2004) identified a training need for prison
officers.
Paterson (2008) formulated two case studies using interpretative analy-
sis of qualitative data. The study utilised semi-structured interviews, prison
records and observations. Individuals were found to be socially naïve, lead-
ing to an increased vulnerability. Paterson (2008) highlights how autistic
people in custody would attract frequent reports for misdemeanours and
become easily frustrated when routines were disturbed. Individuals were
the victims of bullying within the prison environment (Paterson 2008). The
small sample size and case study approach of this research significantly lim-
its the conclusions that can be made in relation to other prison settings.
Allen et al. (2008), conducting a study in South Wales, investigated the
experiences of autistic individuals in the criminal justice system. The study
gathered evidence from six individuals, through a series of questionnaires,
followed by semi-structured interviews. Accounts of prison experience ap-
peared to vary, rather than being overwhelmingly negative. Participants
described prison life as being difficult, due to a lack of activity, no access
to family and difficulties developing relationships. There were, however,
547
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2021 The Authors. The Howard Journal of Crime and Justice published by Howard
League and John Wiley & Sons Ltd
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