The views of autistic people and their families about the criminal justice system

Purpose Autistic people are known to be vulnerable in the criminal justice system (CJS) but their voices, and those of their families, are rarely heard. This study aims to give them a voice. Design/methodology/approach This study reports findings from a survey of a large sample of 370 autistic people and their families on the challenges they had before, and after, their involvement in the CJS. Findings It transpired that support before CJS involvement was minimal. Many families felt that earlier diagnosis and increased support would have been helpful, and may have avoided the CJS contact altogether. Once involved in the CJS, police often did not realise that the person was autistic, and reasonable adjustments were very variable and often absent in all parts of the CJS, despite the policy and practice guidelines from recent years. Social implications There was a need for increased support for autistic people and their families when they first had concerns about possible involvement with the CJS. There also remained a major need for better autism training for CJS professionals and more reasonable adjustments to be made at all stages of the CJS for these vulnerable autistic people. Originality/value This is one of the very few studies of the views of autistic people themselves, and their families, on the CJS.