Screening for learning disabilities in the criminal justice system: a review of existing measures for use within liaison and diversion services
| Published date | 09 March 2015 |
| Pages | 33-43 |
| Date | 09 March 2015 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JIDOB-03-2015-0003 |
| Author | Daniel Silva,Karen Gough,Hannah Weeks |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Learning & intellectual disabilities,Offending behaviour |
Screening for learning disabilities in
the criminal justice system: a review of
existing measures for use within liaison
and diversion services
Daniel Silva, Karen Gough and Hannah Weeks
Daniel Silva is an Assistant
Psychologist, Dr Karen Gough
is a Consultant Forensic Clinical
Psychologist and Hannah
Weeks is an Honorary Assistant
Psychologist, all at Forensic
Liaison Team, Somerset
Partnership Trust,
Bridgwater, UK.
Abstract
Purpose –At present, there are significant limitations to the criminal justice system’s (CJS) ability to respond
appropriately to detainees or defendant with learning disabilities (LD). The development of Liaison and
Diversion Services has provided the opportunity to more easily identify people with LD in the CJS through the
use of screening assessments. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to consider why there is a need for
screening assessments and review the literature on existing measures, in order to consider the next steps to
develop a more effective pathway from the CJS to LD services.
Design/methodology/approach –This paper takes the form of a literature review.
Findings –The review found that there is a significant body of research defending the need for LD screening
in the CJS across the UK. The aim of a screening process would be to identify individuals who possibly have
LD and ensure that the correct measures are in place to assess and manage these individuals, including
appropriate diversion to specialist LD services. The learning disability screening questionnaire (LDSQ) is an
instrument that could be utilised in these instances and could be carried out by Liaison and Diversion
Services.
Research limitations/implications –Neither of the tools reviewed in this paper have been vigorously field
tested within forensic settings in the UK. It is recommended that there should be trials of the LDSQ as a
screening tool within Liaison and Diversion Services with comparison against outcomes of full diagnostic
assessments for LD.
Originality/value –Screening for LD is being discussed across the UK as part of Liaison and Diversion
Services. This paper highlights the need for a reliable and valid screening tool and provides support for the
use of the LDSQ.
Keywords Criminal justice system, Learning disabilities, LDSQ, Learningdisability screening questionnaire,
Liaison and diversion, Screening tool
Paper type Literature review
Introduction
The Bradley Report (Department of Health, 2009) highlighted the short comings of the current
provision of health services for learning disabilities (LD) within the criminal justice system (CJS) in
England and Wales. As a consequence, a National Delivery Plan was devised to improve
management of offenders with LD. Recommendations of the report included improvement of the
screening procedure for individuals with LD and mental health problems, through Liaison and
Diversion Services. Since this, the Bradley Report Five Years On (Durcan et al., 2014) has been
published. This review found that although significant progress had been made, more needs to
Received 12 March 2015
Revised 19 May 2015
Accepted 20 July 2015
DOI 10.1108/JIDOB-03-2015-0003 VOL. 6 NO. 1 2015, pp.33-43, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2050-8824
j
JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AND OFFENDING BEHAVIOUR
j
PAGE33
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