Women who have a LD in the justice system;experiences of women & staff
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative study of how women who have a learning disability experience justice, and how professionals support those women.
IRAS ID
208360
Contact name
Angela Ridley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Northumbria University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 12 days
Research summary
Research indicates that over 5% of adults who have offended have a learning disability as opposed to 2% of the general population. It has been acknowledged that a person with a learning disability is at a disadvantage when they come into contact with the justice system. The Corston report published in 2007 identified the need for a radically different approach to supporting women with learning disabilities in the justice system. The Corston Report Five Years on published the follow up and illustrated that there was still work to be done.
Using feminist methodology the study will find out what happens when a woman with a learning disability accesses justice. To identify any assumptions or actions that may affect women with a learning disability, to see if there are any problems or areas of good practice.The aim is to improve the pathway through the justice system for a woman with a learning disability.
Participants will be recruited from forensic inpatient and community teams in NTW Foundation Trust and will include ten women with a learning disability and ten professionals. All participants will have capacity to consent to take part.
This research will aim to provide materials and resources which will help a woman with a learning disability when they need to navigate the justice system. By producing an easy read guide. Additionally the study will provide a tool kit of principles to help professionals who support those women to navigate the justice system.
REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
16/WA/0278
Date of REC Opinion
9 Sep 2016
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion