Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-2pzkn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-08T04:16:33.386Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

3.5 - Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour

from Part III - Assessment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2021

By
John L. Taylor  and
Ian Freckelton
Edited by
Jennifer M. Brown  and
Miranda A. H. Horvath
Jennifer M. Brown
Affiliation:
London School of Economics and Political Science
Miranda A. H. Horvath
Affiliation:
University of Suffolk
Get access

Summary

Offending behaviour and intellectual disabilities have long been associated in the literature. This erroneous linkage has had a significant influence on the development of services for this population. In this chapter, the relationship between intellectual disability and offending behaviour is outlined, along with legislative and criminal justice system issues that have impact on this client group. The historical and current policy context is described before the prevalence of offending and recidivism in this population is considered. Developments in risk assessment and clinical interventions for anger aggression, sexually harmful behavior and firesetting are briefly reviewed. Although over the last 20 years there have been significant developments in policy, service design, clinical assessment and treatment approaches for people with intellectual disabilities who offend or are at risk of offending, more rigorous and larger scale research is required to support further advances.

Keywords

Intellectual DisabilitiesOffending BehaviourTreatment InterventionsLegal Issues
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Forensic Psychology , pp. 418 - 441
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Allan, R., Lindsay, W. R., Macleod, F., & Smith, A. H. W. (2001). Treatment of women with intellectual disabilities who have been involved with the criminal justice system for reasons of aggression. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual disabilities, 14(4), 340–347.Google Scholar
American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental. American Psychiatric Pub.Google Scholar
British Psychological Society (2015). Guidance on the assessment and diagnosis of intellectual disabilities in adulthood. Leicester: BPS.Google Scholar
Brookbanks, W., & Freckelton, I. (2018). Legal issues concerning offenders with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In Lindsay, W. & Taylor, J. L. (Eds.), Wiley Handbook on Offenders with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (pp. 56–85). London: Wiley.Google Scholar
Care Quality Commission (2011). Count me in 2010: Results of the 2010 national census of inpatients and patients on supervised community treatment in mental health and learning disability services in England and Wales. London: Care Quality Commission.Google Scholar
Clare, I. C. H., Murphy, G. H., Cox, D., & Chaplin, E. H. (1992). Assessment and treatment of firesetting: A single case investigation using a cognitive behavioural model. Criminal Behaviour & Mental Health, 2(3), 253–268.Google Scholar
Cohen, G., & Harvey, J. (2016). The use of psychological interventions for adult male sex offenders with a learning disability: A systematic review. Journal of Sexual Aggression, 22(2), 206–223.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Conolly, J. (1847). The construction and government of lunatic asylums and hospitals for the insane. London: John Churchill. https://books.google.co.ukGoogle Scholar
Courtney, J., & Rose, J. (2004). The effectiveness of treatment for male sex offenders with learning disabilities: A review of the literature. Journal of Sexual Aggression, 10(2), 215–236.Google Scholar
Crocker, A. J., Cote, G., Toupin, J., & St-Onge, B. (2007). Rate and characteristics of men with an intellectual disability in pre-trial detention. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 32(2), 143–152.Google Scholar
Davidson, M., Humphreys, M. S., Johnstone, E. C., Cunningham Owens, D. G. (1995). Prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among remand prisoners in Scotland. British Journal of Psychiatry, 167, 545–548.Google Scholar
Department of Health (2001). Valuing people: A new strategy for learning disability for the 21st century. Cm 5086. London: The Stationary Office.Google Scholar
Department of Health (2012a). Transforming care: A national response to Winterbourne View Hospital. London: Department of Health.Google Scholar
Department of Health (2015). Mental Health Act 1983: Code of practice. Norwich: The Stationary Office.Google Scholar
Department of Health and Social Security (1971). Better services for the mentally handicapped. London: Author.Google Scholar
Drope v Missouri, 420 US 162 (1975).Google Scholar
Dusky v United States, 362 US 402 (1960).Google Scholar
Emerson, E. (2004). Deinstitutionalisation in England. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 29, 17–22.Google Scholar
Emerson, E., & Halpin, S. (2013). Anti-social behaviour and police contact among 13- to 15-year-old English adolescents with and without mild/moderate intellectual disability. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 26(5), 362–369.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Farrington, D. P. (1995). The development of offending and antisocial behaviour from childhood: Key findings from the Cambridge study in delinquent development. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 6(36), 929–64.Google Scholar
Fazel, S., Xenitidis, K., & Powell, J. (2008). The prevalence of intellectual disabilities among 12,000 prisoners: A systematic review. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 31(4), 369–373.Google Scholar
Freckelton, I. (2016). Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, expert evidence and the unreliability of admissions during police interview. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 23(2), 173–183. Doi: 10.1080/13218719.2016.1149898Google Scholar
Freckelton, I. (2019). Expert evidence: Law, practice and procedure, 6th edn, Sydney: Thomson Reuters.Google Scholar
Gall, J. A. M., & Freckelton, I. (1999). Fitness for interview: Current trends, views and an approach to the assessment procedure. Journal of Clinical Forensic Medicine, 6(4), 213–223.Google Scholar
Gannon, T. A., Olver, M. E., Mallion, J. S., & James, M. (2019). Does specialized psychological treatment for offending reduce recidivism? A meta-analysis examining staff and program variables as predictors of treatment effectiveness. Clinical Psychology Review, 73, 101752.Google Scholar
Goodman, R., Simonoff, E., & Stevenson, J. (1995). The impact of child IQ, parent IQ and sibling IQ on child and behaviour deviance scores. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 36(3), 409–425.Google Scholar
Gray, N. S., Fitzgerald, S., Taylor, J., MacCulloch, M., & Snowden, R. (2007). Predicting future reconviction in offenders with intellectual disabilities: The predictive efficacy of the VRAG, PCL-SV and the HCR-20. Psychological Assessment, 19(4), 474–79.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hall, I., Clayton, P., & Johnson, P. (2005). Arson and learning disability. In Riding, T., Swann, C. & Swann, B. (Eds.), The handbook of forensic learning disabilities (pp. 51–72). Oxford: Radcliffe Publishing.Google Scholar
Hall v Florida, 134 S Ct 1986 (2014).Google Scholar
Hanson, R. K., & Thornton, D. (1999). Static-99: Improving actuarial risk assessments for sex offenders. (User report 1999-02). Ottowa: Department of the Solicitor General of Canada.Google Scholar
Hayes, S. (2018). Criminal behavior and intellectual and developmental disabilities. In Lindsay, W. R. & Taylor, J. L. (Eds.), The Wiley handbook on offenders with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Research, training and practice (pp 21–37). Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.Google Scholar
Health and Social Care Information Centre (2014). Inpatients formally detained in hospitals under the Mental Health Act 1983, and patients subject to community treatment: Annual report, England, 2013/14. London: Health and Social Care Information Centre.Google Scholar
Heaton, K. M. & Murphy, G. H. (2013). Men with intellectual disabilities who have attended sex offender treatment groups: A follow-up. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 26(5), 489–500.Google Scholar
Heddell, F. (1980). Accident of birth: Aspects of mental handicap. London: British Broadcasting Corporation.Google Scholar
Hogue, T., Steptoe, L., Taylor, J. L., Lindsay, W. R., Mooney, P., Pinkney, L., Johnston, S., Smith, A. H. W., & O’Brien, G. (2006). A comparison of offenders with intellectual disability across three levels of security. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 16(1), 13–28.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Holland, S., & Persson, P. (2011). Intellectual disability in the Victorian prison system: Characteristics of prisoners with an intellectual disability released from prison in 2003–2006. Psychology, Crime and Law, 17(1), 25–41.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jones, E., & Chaplin, E. (2017). A systematic review of the effectiveness of psychological approaches in the treatment of sex offenders with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities. DOI: 10.1111/jar.12345Google Scholar
Kerlin, I. N. (1858). A brief history of twenty-two imbecile children. Philadelphia, PA: Hunt.Google Scholar
Kim, B., Benekos, P. J., & Merlo, A. V. (2016). Sex offender recidivism revisited: Review of recent meta-analyses on the effects of sex offender treatment. Trauma, Violence & Abuse, 17(1), 105–117.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Klimecki, M. R., Jenkinson, J., & Wilson, L. (1994). A study of recidivism among offenders with intellectual disability. Australia & New Zealand Journal of Developmental Disabilities. 19(3), 209–219.Google Scholar
Lindsay, W. R. (2009). The treatment of sex offenders with developmental disabilities. A practice workbook. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.Google Scholar
Lindsay, W. R., Allan, R., Macleod, F., Smart, N., & Smith, A. H. W. (2003). Long term treatment and management of violent tendencies of men with intellectual disabilities convicted of assault. Mental Retardation, 41(1), 47–56.Google Scholar
Lindsay, W. R., Allan, R., Parry, C., Macleod, F., Cottrell, J., Overend, H., & Smith, A. H. W. (2004). Anger and aggression in people with intellectual disabilities: Treatment and follow-up of consecutive referrals and a waiting list comparison. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 11(4), 225–264.Google Scholar
Lindsay, W. R., & Dernevik, M. (2013). Risk and offenders with intellectual disabilities. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 23, 151–157.Google Scholar
Lindsay, W. R., Hogue, T. E., Taylor, J. L., Steptoe, L., Mooney, P., O’Brien, G., Johnston, S., & Smith, A. H. W. (2008). Risk assessment in offenders with intellectual disability: A comparison across three levels of security. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 52(1), 90–111.Google Scholar
Lindsay, W. R., Steptoe, L., Wallace, L., Haut, F., & Brewster, E. (2013). An evaluation and 20 year follow up of recidivism in a community intellectual disability service. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 23(2), 138–49.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lindsay, W. R., Taylor, J. L., & Murphy, G. H. (2018). The treatment and management of sex offenders. In Lindsay, W. R. & Taylor, J. L. (Eds.). The Wiley handbook on offenders with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Research, training and practice, pp. 229–247. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.Google Scholar
Linhorst, D. M., McCutchen, T. A., & Bennett, L. (2003). Recidivism among offenders with developmental disabilities participating in a case management Programme. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 24(3), 210–230.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lofthouse, R. E. Totsika, V., Hastings, V., Lindsay, R. P., Hogue, W. R., T., & Taylor, J. L. (2014). How do static and dynamic risk factors work together to predict violence amongst offenders with an intellectual disability? Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 58(2), 125–133.Google Scholar
Lund, J. (1990). Mentally retarded criminal offenders in Denmark. British Journal of Psychiatry, 156(5), 726–731.Google Scholar
Mackay, R., & Brookbanks, W. (2018). Fitness to plead: International and comparative perspectives. Oxford: Clarendon Press.Google Scholar
Marotta, P. L. (2017). A systematic review of behavioral health interventions for sex offenders with intellectual disabilities. Sexual Abuse, 29(2), 148–185.Google Scholar
McGillivray, J. A., Gaskin, C. J., Newton, D. C., & Richardson, B. A. (2016). Substance use, offending, and participation in alcohol and drug treatment programmes: A comparison of prisoners with and without intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities. 29(3), 289–294.Google Scholar
Mears, D. P., & Cochran, J. C. (2013). What is the effect of IQ on offending? Criminal Justice and Behavior, 40(11), 1280–1300.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Meichenbaum, D. (1985). Stress inoculation training. Oxford: Pergamon Press.Google Scholar
Mews, A., Di Bella, L., & Purver, M. (2017). Impact evaluation of the prison-based core sex offender treatment programme. London, UK: Ministry of Justice.Google Scholar
Moffit, T. E., Gabrielli, W. F., Mednick, S. A., & Schulsinger, F. (1991). Socio-economic status, IQ and delinquency. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 90(2), 152–157.Google Scholar
Murphy, G. H., Powell, S., Guzman, A.-M., & Hays, S.-J. (2007). Cognitive-behavioural treatment for men with intellectual disabilities and sexually abusive behaviour: A pilot study. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 51(11), 902–912.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Murphy, G. H., Sinclair, N., Hays, S. J., Heaton, K. M., Powell, S., Langdon, P. E., Stagg, J., Williams, J., Scott, J., Mercer, K., Lippold, T., Tufnell, J., Langheit, G., Goodman, W., Leggett, J., & Craig, L. A. (SOTSEC-ID) (2010). Effectiveness of Group Cognitive-Behavioural Treatment for Men with Intellectual Disabilities at Risk of Sexual Offending. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 23(6), 537–551.Google Scholar
Murphy, G., & Triantafyllopoulou, P. (2017). Offenders with intellectual disabilities in prison: What happens when they leave? Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. 61(10): 957–968, DOI: 10.1111/jir.12374Google Scholar
NHS England (2015). Building the right support: a national plan to develop community services and close inpatient facilities for people with a learning disability and/or autism who display behaviour that challenges, including those with a mental health condition. Available at: www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/ld-nat-imp-plan-oct15.pdfGoogle Scholar
Nixon, M., Thomas, S., Daffern, M., & Ogloff, J. (2017). Estimating the risk of crime and victimisation in people with intellectual disability: A data-linkage study. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. 52(5), 617–626. DOI: 10.1007/s00127–017-1371-3.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nicoll, M., Beail, N., & Saxon, D. (2013). Cognitive behavioural treatment for anger in adults with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 26(1), 47–62.Google Scholar
Novaco, R. W. (1975). Anger control: The development and evaluation of an experimental treatment. Lexington, MA: Heath.Google Scholar
Novaco, R. W., & Taylor, J. L. (2004). Assessment of anger and aggression in male offenders with developmental disabilities. Psychological Assessment, 16(1), 42–50.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Novaco, R. W., & Taylor, J. L. (2015). Reduction of assualtive behaviour following anger treatment of forensic hospital patients with intellectual disabilities. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 65, 52–59.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
O’Brien, G., Taylor, J. L., Lindsay, W. R., Holland, A. J., Carson, D., Steptoe, L., Price, K., Middleton, C., & Wheeler, J. (2010). A multi-centre study of adults with learning disabilities referred to services for antisocial or offending behaviour: Demographic, individual, offending and service characteristics. Journal of Learning Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 1(2), 5–15.Google Scholar
Pora v The Queen [2015] UKPC 9.Google Scholar
Prosecutor v Strugar, IT-01-42-A. Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Chamber for the Former State of Yugoslavia, 17 July 2008.Google Scholar
Quinsey, V. L. (2004). Risk assessment and management in community settings. In Lindsay, W. R., Taylor, J. L. & Sturmey, P. (Eds.), Offenders with developmental disabilities (pp. 131–142), Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.Google Scholar
R v MT [2020] NZHC 1490.Google Scholar
R v Presser [1958] VR 45.Google Scholar
R v Pritchard (1836) 7 C & P 103; 173 ER 135.Google Scholar
Rice, M. E., & Chaplin, T. C. (1979). Social skills training for hospitalised male arsonists. Journal of Behaviour Therapy & Experimental Psychiatry, 10(2), 105–108.Google Scholar
Scheerenberger, R. C. (1983). A history of mental retardation. London: Brooks Publishing Company.Google Scholar
Schmucker, M., & Losel, F. (2015). The effects of sexual offender treatment on recidivism: An international meta-analysis of sound quality evaluations. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 11(4), 597–630.Google Scholar
Seguin, E. (1846). Traitement moral, hygiène et éducation des idiots et des autres enfants arriérés. Paris, France: J.B. Bailliere.Google Scholar
Søndenaa, E., Rasmussen, K., Palmstierna, T., & Nøttestad, J. (2008). The prevalence and nature of intellectual disability in Norwegian prisons. Journal of Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 52(12), 1129–1137.Google Scholar
Taylor, J. L. (2014). Roots, referrals, risks and remedies for offenders with intellectual disabilities. Paper presented to ‘A Risky Business’ BPS conference, October 2014, University of Manchester, UK.Google Scholar
Taylor, J. L. (2019a). Delivering the Transforming Care Programme: A case of smoke and mirrors? British Journal of Psychiatry Bulletin, 43(5), 201–203. doi:10.1192/bjb.2019.3Google Scholar
Taylor, J. L. (2019b). Developing discharge pathways for detained patients with intellectual disabilities. Paper presented at the Forensic Dual Diagnosis Speciality Service Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 18 September 2019.Google Scholar
Taylor, J. L., & Lindsay, W. R. (2018). Offenders with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Future directions for research and development. In Lindsay, W. R. & Taylor, J. L. (Eds.), The Wiley handbook on offenders with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Research, training and practice (pp. 453–471). Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.Google Scholar
Taylor, J. L. Hanna, J., Gillmer, B. T., & Ledwith, S. (2009). Code of Practice Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended by the Mental Health Act 2007). Interim supplementary guidance for chartered psychologists seeking approval and acting as Approved Clinicians. Leicester: British Psychological Society.Google Scholar
Taylor, J. L., McKinnon, I., Thorpe, I., & Gillmer, B. T. (2017). The impact of Transforming Care on the care and safety of patients with learning disabilities and forensic needs. British Journal of Psychiatry Bulletin, 41(3), 205–208. DOI: 10.1192/pb.bp.116.055095Google Scholar
Taylor, J. L., & Novaco, R. W. (2005). Anger treatment for people with developmental disabilities: A theory, evidence and manual based approach. Chichester: Wiley.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Taylor, J. L., & Novaco, R. W. (2018). Treatment for anger, aggression and violence. In Lindsay, W. R. & Taylor, J. L. (Eds.), The Wiley handbook on offenders with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Research, training and practice (pp 248–271). Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.Google Scholar
Taylor, J. L., Novaco, R. W., Gillmer, B. T., Robertson, A., & Thorne, I. (2005). Individual cognitive-behavioural anger treatment for people with mild-borderline intellectual disabilities and histories of aggression: A controlled trial. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 44(3), 367–382.Google Scholar
Taylor, J. L., Novaco, R. W., Gillmer, B., & Thorne, I. (2002a). Cognitive-behavioural treatment of anger intensity among offenders with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 15(2), 151–165.Google Scholar
Taylor, J. L., Novaco, R. W., Guinan, C., & Street, N. (2004a). Development of an imaginal provocation test to evaluate treatment for anger problems in people with intellectual disabilities. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 11(4), 233–246.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Taylor, J. L., Robertson, A., Thorne, I., Belshaw, T., & Watson, A. (2006). Responses of female firesetters with mild and borderline intellectual disabilities to a group-based intervention. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 19(2), 179–190.Google Scholar
Taylor, J. L., Thorne, I., Robertson, A., & Avery, G. (2002b). Evaluation of a group intervention for convicted arsonists with mild and borderline intellectual disabilities. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 12(4), 282–293.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Taylor, J. L., Thorne, I., & Slavkin, M. (2004b). Treatment of firesetters. In Lindsay, W. R., Taylor, J. L. & Sturmey, P. (Eds.), Offenders with developmental disabilities (pp. 221–240). Chichester: Wiley.Google Scholar
Terman, L. (1911). The measurement of intelligence. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Co.Google Scholar
Ward, T., & Gannon, T. A. (2006). Rehabilitation, etiology and self-regulation: The comprehensive Good Lives Model of treatment for sexual offenders. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 11(1), 214–223.Google Scholar
Webster, C. D., Eaves, D., Douglas, K. S., & Wintrup, A. (1997). The HCR-20: The assessment of dangerousness and risk. Version 2. Vancouver, Canada: Simon Fraser University and British Colombia Forensic Psychiatric Services Commission.Google Scholar
Wechsler, D. (2008). Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Fourth Edition. San Antonio, TX: Pearson.Google Scholar
World Health Organisation (WHO) (1992). ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders. Geneva: WHO.Google Scholar
Wolfensburger, W. (1972). The principle of normalization in human services. Toronto: National Institute on Mental Retardation.Google Scholar
Wolfensburger, W. (1983). Social role valorization: A proposed new term for the principle of normalization. Mental Retardation, 19, 1–7.Google Scholar

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure coreplatform@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×