British Minister- How many ND people in justice system?

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The justice secretary has launched a call for evidence on how the criminal justice system is supporting offenders who are autistic or have learning difficulties.

The call from Robert Buckland comes six months after the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) found that the system was failing many disabled people and needed reform to ensure they receive a fair trial.

EHRC found that the system was not “systematically” recognising the needs of people with learning difficulties, autistic people and those with brain injuries.

And it concluded that many such people were not identified before their trial took place and so were not provided with the adjustments they needed to take part properly in the legal process.

Now Buckland has called for evidence – a consultation which will last just four weeks, across Christmas and the new year – on how many offenders are autistic or are affected by impairments such as learning difficulties, ADHD and dyslexia, and what support is provided for them in the criminal justice system.

Buckland said: “As a barrister, part-time judge and now as lord chancellor, I’ve too often seen people with conditions like autism and dyslexia struggle through their brush with the law.

“It might be that they get lost in the complex legal language or fall foul of it simply because it’s harder to see right from wrong.

“My family’s experience of autism has taught me that those with neurodivergent conditions have so much to offer when they get the right help.

The call for evidence is being led by the prisons and probation inspectorates, and it closes on 15 January.

The Ministry of Justice said the evidence would help it develop a training package to educate frontline staff about neurodiversity and when someone might need extra support.

Next year, the National Probation Service will pilot a new screening tool to identify those with neurodiverse conditions and provide advice on how to support them.