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‘I'm Not Even Bothered if they Think, is that Autism? ’: An Exploratory Study Assessing Autism Training Needs for Prison Officers in the Scottish Prison Service
Author(s) -
SLOKAN FRANK,
IOANNOU MARIA
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the howard journal of crime and justice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.462
H-Index - 7
eISSN - 2059-1101
pISSN - 2059-1098
DOI - 10.1111/hojo.12432
Subject(s) - prison , autism , exploratory research , psychology , service (business) , rehabilitation , focus group , distress , psychiatry , medical education , clinical psychology , medicine , criminology , sociology , neuroscience , anthropology , economy , economics
Previous studies indicate that autistic individuals can experience increased distress in prison, leading to significant disruption in the prison regime and difficulties in rehabilitation (Allely 2015; Allen et al. 2008). This exploratory study investigates autism knowledge and training needs among prison officers. Current understanding, possible training content and a strategy for implementation of autism training for officers are all explored. Methods utilised include a survey and interviews/focus group. Themes identified include specific vulnerabilities, staff skill, training needs and implementation barriers. Participants showed some awareness, but lacked understanding of autism in a prison setting. This article explores whether focused training on one condition is problematic, due to limited resources within the prison system. A wider focus on practical skills to supporting people with neurodiverse conditions and links with non‐prison‐based local health services is seen as more effective than focusing on individual diagnosis within a prison setting.