Proposer: Andy Forse

Seconded by Hann Sutcliffe

Neurodiversity and the justice system

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 whose case, from arrest, to conviction and sentence highlight a series of systemic biases against neurdivergent and disabled people in the justice system, resulting in his mistreatment and traumatisation within prison. 

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.

ND Labour Resolves

To campaign for: 

The use of custodial sentences to be completely minimised, and replaced as far as safe and practical with community based rehabilitation of offenders.

A full scale inquiry into the case of Osime Brown, and the prevalence of, and experience of neurodivergent people within the justice system and prisons

References:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29291476/

http://www.lexion.co.uk/download/references/dyslexiabehindbars.pdf