MusicMaker1 wrote:
Hey Catster2, do you have links for info. on Aspies in Prison? I was thinking it might be a high number too.. and there's probably alot of people in prison with learning disabilities too for the very reasons you mentioned...
I'm wondering if there's ever been research into the percentage of people with autistic spectrum disorders or learning disabilities that are in prison... and what they did or how long they are in prison for... This has become one of my interests as well...
I wonder if they end up being put in solitary confinement alot of the times or if they are the victim of assault or rape more often that the general prison population.. There may not have been many studies done on this because I kept trying to find it out by using google and didn't have much luck.. If you have any info. or links on this, I'd appreciate it.
~L
Here is an article you will find itneresting Musicmaker1.
I thought this article was very interesting and true to many people with Asperger's Syndrome. ( Hywel Griffith
BBC Wales Health Correspondent).
Asperger's syndrome can lead to people having communication problems or understanding the consequences of their actions. This leads up to about 70% of people with Asperger's spending some time in prison or juvenile detention in their lives.Asperger's Syndrome affects as many as one in every 250 people.
Dr Tony Attwood believes the criminal justice system should be better informed. Dr Attwood also thinks the criminal justice system needs to be better informed in how to better deal with people living with Asperger's.
"When offences do occur, they need to be aware in terms of criminality, sentencing and support for that person." These people need compassion and understanding as to why they committed offences not anger or derision.
Former Youth Parole Board (Victoria) Chairman Judge Eugene Culity says youth in detention or young adults in jail who have slipped through the net with undiagnosed or sometimes diagnosed (if the services are inadequate) Asperger's Syndrome have severe problems.
They may also come from dysfunctional families, have a background of bullying and violence towards them or indirectly due to being misunderstood by family and society. They are socially excluded on a regular basis and seek solace in drug use or gambling, he says. Many are on a path to self-destruction simply because they have never been loved for who they are. "They have been very substantially offended against by a number of society's ills before they ever offended against society."
Mark Annis, a Penarth artist who has Asperger's syndrome and has spent time in prison said the condition has led to him being misunderstood. "It does make life very difficult for me - it can get you into trouble really," he said. "People treat me as if I was at fault - they think they can ride roughshod over me and get away with it."
15 Jan 2008, 7:13 am
