On 15th September 2023, Ross Gribbin (Director General, Policy Group
Ministry of Justice) wrote a letter titled '12-MONTH UPDATE TO THE CROSS-GOVERNMENT NEURODIVERSITY ACTION
PLAN' to:

In this letter, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) updated the progress in implementing the Cross-Government Neurodiversity Action Plan over the past year, outlining achievements and future commitments across policing, courts, prisons, and probation systems.

At the conclusion of this letter, it stated:

"The MoJ is set to release a final, comprehensive 18-month update in early 2024."

This update has not yet been published as of November 2024.

We have seen critical levels of the amount of people in prison leading to a near collapse of the criminal justice system in the UK. This has led to prisoners being released early, often without adequate support which leads to further reoffending.

In July 2021, a report titled "Neurodiversity in the Criminal Justice System: A Review of Evidence" was published by HM Inspectorate of Prisons, HM Inspectorate of Probation, and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services. The report indicated that approximately half of individuals entering prison could be expected to have some form of neurodivergent condition affecting their ability to engage.

In May 2024, the Ministry of Justice published a press release stating "It is estimated that up to half of the adult prison population could be considered neurodivergent." 

The significant proportion of neurodivergent individuals within the UK prison population highlights systemic challenges within the criminal justice system, such as the need for better support, recognition of neurodevelopmental conditions and treatment of co-occurring mental health challenges.

The lack of support for prisoners who are neurodivergent can exacerbate issues related to reoffending. Without appropriate interventions and rehabilitation programs that address their specific needs, these individuals are more likely to re-offend upon release.

Whilst we have seen progress, we are calling on the government to do more and publish the promised 18-month update.

As well as the update, we are calling on the government to:

1. Commission a thorough review of the current state of the understanding of neurodiversity in the criminal justice system
2. Introduce mandatory neurodiversity training throughout every part of the criminal justice system
3. Address the school-to-prison pipeline by ensuring early identification and support for neurodivergent children within the education system
4. We urge the government to implement tailored court disposals designed to support neurodivergent individuals beyond what is currently available

By implementing these measures, we can not only improve the lives of neurodivergent individuals in the criminal justice system but also contribute to a safer and more inclusive society for everyone.