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Intellectual disability amongst people on probation: prevalence and outcome
Author(s) -
Mason J.,
Murphy G.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of intellectual disability research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.941
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1365-2788
pISSN - 0964-2633
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2788.2002.00399.x
Subject(s) - intellectual disability , psychology , learning disability , borderline intellectual functioning , criminal justice , test (biology) , affect (linguistics) , psychiatry , cognition , community service , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , criminology , paleontology , public relations , communication , political science , biology
Background Previous research has suggested that people with intellectual disability (ID) can be found in the criminal justice system. However, little is currently known about those supervised in the community on probation orders. Methods Ninety people on probation in south‐east England were screened using the Learning Disabilities in the Probation Service (LIPS) screening tool, which was designed to be used by probation officers to identify those with possible ID. The LIPS incorporates two measures of cognitive functioning: (1) the Quick Test (QT); and (2) the Clock Drawing Test (CDT). Results Seven per cent of participants were found to have QT IQs and CDT scores 1.6 SD below the mean. When compared to those who appeared to be functioning within the normal range, those with possible ID were found to be significantly younger. However, no differences were found between the two groups in terms of the final outcome of the probation order. Conclusions It seems likely that the probation service contains a significant minority of people with ID. Despite the fact that no difference was found to exist in terms of outcome, people with ID or borderline ID are likely to have a number of support needs which could affect the success of their time on probation.