Young offenders with a learning disability

Abstract

Young offenders with a learning disability may encounter a variety of different psychiatrists, most of whom do not claim any particular expertise in helping them. Child and adolescent psychiatrists, learning disability psychiatrists and forensic and prison psychiatrists may all see young offenders referred to them who have a learning disability –that is, ‘mental retardation’ as defined in ICD–10 (World Health Organization, 1992) (Box 1). Many of these psychiatrists do not see such referrals as a core part of their role, and perhaps because of this, surprisingly little is known about this group of young offenders. They frequently fall into the borderlands between different types of service provision, and as a result can become marginalised. This is of particular concern since recent work has suggested that young offenders with a learning disability may have substantial mental health needs. This article aims to summarise what is known about this group and describe how some of their mental health needs might be met.