ND Labour Notes
1. That the neurodivergant population in prisons is starkly disproportional to the general population. One piece of research shows that 9% of prison inmates meet the criteria for autism using autism quotient scale, 25% meet the ADHD diagnostic, and 9% meet screening criteria for learning difficulties [Young and Gonzalez et al, 2017] A study at one British prison identified 53% of prisoners as dyslexic. [Dyslexia Behind Bars, 2012]
2. The case of Osime Brown who, from from arrest to conviction and sentence, highlights a series of systemic biases against neurdivergent and disabled people as well demonstrating the intersectionality of disability and race within the justice system.
3. Extensive research that demonstrates that custodial sentences do not reduce the incidence of violent offences.
ND Labour Believes
1. That the police, the courts, and prisons are systemically biased against neurodivergent people.
2. That it part, it it is possible to keep society safe without locking vast sections of the population behind bars.
3. That the justice system throughout its institutions should seek to entirely minimise the use of restraint techniques against prisoners, especially those who are disabled and / or neurodivergent.
ND Labour Resolves to campaign for:
1. The use of custodial sentences to be completely minimised, and replaced as far as safe and practical with community based rehabilitation of offenders.
2. A full scale inquiry into the case of Osime Brown, and the experience of neurodivergent people within the justice system.
3. Further support for neurodivergent individuals within the justice system.
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