The Transform Justice Podcast

Ep30: A different lens? Neurodivergence in the criminal justice system

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Episode notes

It is estimated that over half the prison population is neurodivergent, including people who are autistic or have ADHD or a brain injury. Is society's failure to understand neurodivergence leading to disproportionate criminalisation?

In this episode, Rob and Penelope are joined by MP and former Lord Chancellor Sir Robert Buckland and Angela Kirwin, criminal justice author. They discuss the factors that cause neurodivergent people to come into contact with the justice system, how they experience prison differently, and efforts to promote neuroinclusion across justice.

Sir Robert Buckland @RobertBuckland

Read the inspectorate report commissioned by Sir Robert here: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/cjji/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/07/Neurodiversity-evidence-review-web-2021.pdf

Angela Kirwin @AngelaKirwinUK

Read Angela’s book ‘Criminal’ here: https://geni.us/CriminalPB

Further resources

Read the User Voice Report ‘Not Naughty, Stupid or Bad’ here:

https://www.uservoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/User_Voice_Neurodiversity_Dec_2023.pdf

Read the Transform Justice report on assaults on emergency workers here:

https://www.transformjustice.org.uk/publication/protecting-the-protectors-do-criminal-sanctions-reduce-violence-against-police-and-nhs-staff/

Read the Transform Justice archive on insights related to neurodiversity here:

https://www.transformjustice.org.uk/news-insight-tag/neurodivergence/

Transform Justice

Website: ⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠

Twitter: @TransformJust1

Email: [email protected]

The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.