February 2008

People with an Intellectual Disability Neglected in Penal System: INCLUSION IRELAND

Inclusion Ireland welcomes the publication of People with a learning disability who offend: forgiven but forgotten from the Irish College of Psychiatrists, and asserts that this is a serious issue, which is suffering from government neglect.

CEO Deirdre Carroll congratulates the Irish College of Psychiatrists for “taking the initiative to publish this important piece of research, which shows the many issues concerning people with an intellectual disability and the Irish penal system. The lack of statistics, training and support in this area is shameful. We are aware of cases where someone with an intellectual disability in prison, is eligible for release but there is nowhere for that person to go.

“The main issues in this area are people with an intellectual disability’s understanding of the crime; support for them and their families throughout the process; placing people with an intellectual disability in unsuitable facilities; and the high representation of people with an intellectual disability in the prison system, which reflects the vulnerability of this sector.

“This is a very serious issue. I echo the findings of the report that there is ‘significant unmet need in this area’ and I hope the political will can be found to be pro-active about this issue and put in place measures to immediately address the many areas where the Irish penal system is currently found wanting.”