Reflections on systemic barriers for ethnic minorities in accessing community-based forensic services for people with intellectual disabilities and autism

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercedez Coleman
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Ethnic Minorities ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
People With Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Systemic Barriers

Purpose Community-based forensic support services (CBFSSs) were commissioned nationally by National Health Service (NHS) England in 2017 in response to “Building the Right Support” (NHS England, 2015). CBFSSs provide multidisciplinary support to adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism who are in (or at risk of) contact with the criminal justice system and those transitioning from inpatient secure care. This paper aims to highlight potential systemic barriers to accessing community forensic services for people from an ethnic minority background. in one CBFSSs in Northern England. Design/methodology/approach This paper provides preliminary reflections on potential systemic barriers within the criminal justice system and health-care services that have implications for service users from ethnic minority backgrounds accessing CBFSSs. Findings There is a paucity of data, policy and literature that focuses on people with intellectual disabilities and autism with forensic needs from ethnic minority backgrounds. This lack of data obstructs further reforms to meet the needs of this population. Originality/value CBFSSs are commissioned across England. While some regional variation is to be expected, services should be aware of the systemic barriers people from ethnic minority backgrounds within their region face. These barriers should be considered and addressed when evaluating service efficacy and delivery. Recommendations are made to review and address issues of under-representation of ethnic minorities within CBFSSs.

Does substance use predict contact with the criminal justice system for people with intellectual disabilities?

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eddie Chaplin ◽  
Ilias Partsenidis ◽  
Blessing Samuriwo ◽  
Lisa Underwood ◽  
Jane McCarthy
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Alcohol Misuse ◽  
Content Type ◽  
History Of ◽  
People With Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Clinical Records

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how substances misuse impacts on exposure to the criminal justice system for people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Design/methodology/approach – An electronic case-register of mental health patients was used to examine the clinical records of 411 patients with ID. χ2 analysis was performed to test the association between variables and logistic regression to generate estimates for statistically significant association variables. Findings – Of 411 cases, 98 (23 per cent) of patient had a history of substance use, with affective disorders strongly associated with alcohol misuse χ2=4.135, df=1 (p<0.042), similarly statistically significant predictor for alcohol misuse OR: 1.7, 95 per cent CI (1.02-2.72) (p<0.043). Patients with a history of offending behaviour had three-folds higher risk to misuse drugs compared to those without a forensic conviction OR: 3.17, 95 per cent CI (1.35-7.44) (p<0.008). Those with a history of offending were more likely to have had a history of substance use. Originality/value – Substance use and its impact on offending by people with ID is still poorly understood. This paper adds new information to this under researched area.

scholarly journals ‘Blocked at every level’: criminal justice system professionals’ experiences of including people with intellectual disabilities within a targeted magistrates’ court

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 133-144
Author(s):  
Darren David Chadwick ◽  
Caroline Wesson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Information Transfer ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
People With Intellectual Disabilities

Purpose Mental health courts (MHCs) may enable better support for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) within the criminal justice system (CJS) but little evaluative empirical evidence is available regarding their operation. The purpose of this paper is to explore professional perceptions of the challenges of including people with ID in a targeted services court (TSC) designed for people with mental health issues and ID. Design/methodology/approach Information was gathered, via interviews and focus groups, from 46 professionals working with people with mental health issues and ID within the TSC. Data were analysed by using thematic network analysis. Findings Findings highlight the neglect and lack of inclusion of people with ID within the TSC processes, with challenges in identifying people with ID, stakeholder awareness, inconsistent adapting of practices for people with ID and information transfer underpinned by the involvement of numerous organisations with differing agendas. Research limitations/implications Although valued, development of a TSC, including people with ID, was a challenging endeavour and may reflect societal and institutional neglect of people with ID, recommendations are provided. Originality/value This study adds to the few investigations that have considered the process of including people with ID in a TSC from the perspective of those working in the CJS.

Cost-benefits of a domestic abuse program for Australian offenders

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-74
Author(s):  
Chris Blatch ◽  
Andrew Webber ◽  
Kevin O’Sullivan ◽  
Gerard van Doorn
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Community Correction ◽  
Group Interventions ◽  
Net Benefit ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cost Benefits

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine recidivism costs and benefits for 1,030 community-based male offenders enrolled in a domestic abuse program (DAP) compared to an untreated control group (n=1,030) matched on risk factors. Design/methodology/approach The study time frame was October 1, 2007-June 30, 2010 with reconvictions measured to December 31, 2010. Follow up averaged 19 months. Controls received standard community supervision, but no domestic violence group interventions. Follow up measures included court costs for violent and non-violent reconvictions; re-incarcerations and community-based orders costs measured in days. Findings Adjusting for time at risk, DAP enrollees had 29 percent fewer reconvictions, 46 percent fewer violent reconvictions, 34 percent fewer custodial days, but 23 percent more days on community orders. Costs: DAP enrollment avoided $2.52 M in custodial costs, but higher community correction costs (+$773 K) and court costs (+$5.8 K), reducing the DAP’s criminal justice system cost savings to $1.754 M ($8.92 M for the DAP group compared to $10.67M for controls). Cost benefits: when the 64 DAP program costs were deducted ($602 K), the net benefit to the New South Wales criminal justice system was $1,141 M, or $1,108 per enrollee, providing a net benefit/cost ratio of 2.89. If the DAP was completed, the net benefit was $1,820 per offender. These results compares favorably to economic evaluations of other community-based interventions. Practical implications Group interventions for domestically violent (DV) offenders can provide good investment returns to tax payers and government by reducing demand on scarce criminal justice system resources. The study provides insights into justice costs for DV offenders; a methodological template to determine cost benefits for offender programs and a contribution to cost-effective evidence-based crime reduction interventions. Originality/value Using a rigorous methodology, official court, custodial and community correction services costing data, this is the first Australian cost benefit analysis of a domestic violence group intervention, and the first to justify program expenditure by demonstrating substantial savings to the criminal justice system.

Reforming the criminal justice system – an ethical leadership approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verl Anderson ◽  
Riki Ichiho
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Ethical Leadership ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Moral Perspective ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The current criminal justice system is pledged to serve and protect society while preserving the rights of those who are accused. The purpose of this paper is to explore the premise of “innocent until proven guilty” and examine whether this assumption truly prevails under the current criminal justice system, or be modified to accommodate a sliding continuum of virtuosity. Design/methodology/approach This paper is a conceptual paper which relies heavily on the current literature about criminal justice and related ethical issues. Findings The paper argues that today’s criminal justice system fails to meet the standards of the virtuous continuum and that those who oversee that system need to rethink how the system operates and is perceived by the public if they wish the criminal justice system to be perceived as just, fair, and ethically responsible. Research limitations/implications Because this paper is a conceptual paper it does not present research hypotheses. Practical implications This paper suggests that “virtue” and “ethics” must be the foundation upon which the criminal justice system is evaluated, and criminal justice must incorporate an ethical standard which is virtuous and fair to all parties and leaders who oversee that system must meet the standards suggested by the virtuous continuum. Originality/value This paper is among the first to identify the viewpoint of the virtuous perspective, moral perspective, amoral perspective, and immoral perspective in the criminal justice system.

Cultural competence in criminal justice

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 39-42
Author(s):  
Angela Herbert MBE
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Cultural Competence ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Voluntary Organizations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government ◽  
Minority Ethnic

Purpose – Considers the role of cultural competence in the criminal-justice system and the crucial role that can be played by the right kind of training. Design/methodology/approach – Argues that there are no quick solutions to disproportionality of black and minority ethnic people in the criminal-justice system but advances the view that while individuals are incarcerated, it is important for the organization and its staff to make provisions that will make a difference. Findings – Suggests that any training provision should be made subject to those industries that are likely to employ black minority ethnic (BME) people, and that offering skills in prison that do not reflect cultural attainment in industry would be setting individuals up to fail. Practical implications – Urges that awareness and training should be embraced throughout all organizations from government policymakers, chief executive officers, management board, operational staff and partners, voluntary organizations and the client or user. Social implications – Argues that commitment from the government and the prison service can result in the provision of the kinds of cultural-competence learning and skills training that can more appropriately meet the needs of, in particular, BME individuals who are frequently ill-equipped when they leave the judiciary system. Originality/value – Concludes that this support would also help to communicate and promote awareness of other people’s cultures, provide insight into their understanding of the organization’s culture while also enabling the public to understand the importance of implementing positive change.

The importance of external stakeholders for police body-worn camera diffusion

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 448-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Todak ◽  
Janne E. Gaub ◽  
Michael D. White
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Diffusion Of Innovations ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Police Department ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
External Stakeholders

Purpose The diffusion of innovations paradigm suggests that stakeholders’ acceptance of a police innovation shapes how it spreads and impacts the larger criminal justice system. A lack of support by external stakeholders for police body-worn cameras (BWCs) can short-circuit their intended benefits. The purpose of this paper is to examine the perceptions of BWCs among non-police stakeholders who are impacted by the technology as well as how BWCs influence their daily work processes. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted interviews and focus groups (n=41) in two US cities where the police department implemented BWCs. The interviewees range from courtroom actors (e.g. judges, prosecutors) to those who work with police in the field (e.g. fire and mental health), city leaders, civilian oversight members, and victim advocates. Findings External stakeholders are highly supportive of the new technology. Within the diffusion of innovations framework, this support suggests that the adoption of BWCs will continue. However, the authors also found the decision to implement BWCs carries unique consequences for external stakeholders, implying that a comprehensive planning process that takes into account the views of all stakeholders is critical. Originality/value Despite the recent diffusion of BWCs in policing, this is the first study to examine the perceptions of external stakeholders. More broadly, few criminologists have applied the diffusion of innovations framework to understand how technologies and other changes emerge and take hold in the criminal justice system. This study sheds light on the spread of BWCs within this framework and offers insights on their continued impact and consequences.

Case management helps prevent criminal justice recidivism for people with serious mental illness

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 168-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Leutwyler ◽  
Erin Hubbard ◽  
Elaine Zahnd
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Case Management ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Serious Mental Illness ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Formerly Incarcerated ◽  
Community Reentry ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss how case management can decrease recidivism for people with serious mental illness (SMI) because people with SMI are at high risk for incarceration and recidivism. Design/methodology/approach Examples of successful case management models for formerly incarcerated individuals with SMI found through a secondary analysis of qualitative data and an analysis of the literature are presented. Findings Currently, no international, national, or statewide guidelines exist to ensure that formerly incarcerated individuals with SMI receive case management upon community reentry despite evidence that such services can prevent further criminal justice involvement. Recommendations include establishment of and evaluation of best practices for case management. In addition, the authors recommend additional funding for case management with the goal of greatly increasing the number of individuals with SMI leaving the criminal justice system in their ability to access adequate case management. Originality/value Providing effective case management tailored to the needs of formerly incarcerated people with SMI improves their quality of life and reduces their involvement in the criminal justice system with clear positive outcomes for public safety and public health.

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