Supporting the Rehabilitation of Neurodivergent Offenders

This book is an authoritative and integrative overview of the rehabilitation of neurodivergent prisoners within the criminal justice system. At any given time, ten percent of the UK prisoner population are estimated to be autistic, highlighting the necessity for the prison system to better understand neurodiversity and its impact on offender engagement. Recognising this need, Tanya Banfield considers the importance of tailoring prison education to meet the specific needs of autistic offenders with a focus on resilience, coping strategies, and overall health well-being. Banfield draws on The Support Change Project at HMP Dartmoor, for which she developed, implemented, and evaluated a support system for neurodivergent offenders within the prison setting. Examining the data and findings of this project, the book discusses effective screening for neurodiversity in prisons and highlights the importance of providing offenders with a formal diagnosis while they are in prison. It also considers the wider implications and operational significance of the study, including the need for the criminal justice system to broaden its definitions of neurodiversity. Written by a neurodivergent reasearcher, this book offers new insights for professionals working in the criminal justice system.