Navigating Neurodisability Through the Prison Gates

What is this project about?

There is an overrepresentation of people with neurodisabilities in the criminal justice system, such as autism, ADHD, or brain injuries (Hunter et al., 2023; Collins et al., 2023; Baggio et al., 2018). Often, these needs are only recognised once someone is in custody. However, support can be inconsistent and fragmented across different services, including prisons, probation, healthcare, and social care.

This project explores how social care needs are identified and supported in prison, and what happens when people leave custody and return to the community. It aims to understand where support works well, where it breaks down, and how it can be improved.

Why does this matter?

The transition from prison to the community is a critical time. Without consistent support, people with neurodisabilities may struggle to access the help they need, increasing risks to their wellbeing and making resettlement more difficult.

Improving screening of neurodisabilities in prison and coordination between services can help ensure people receive the right support at the right time, both inside prison and after release.

What will the project do?

This study will review existing research, policies and services to understand current practice in England and Wales. A distinctive feature of the project is the inclusion of individuals currently in custody as co-researchers, enabling the study to draw on first-hand insight into the realities of the prison environment. We will work with trained co-researchers who have lived experience of prison and neurodisability, and who will be supported by Revolving Doors to develop research skills and gain a recognised qualification. 

We will interview professionals across prisons, probation, health, social care and voluntary organisations, and speak directly with people who have experienced custody and neurodisability.

We will work together with participants and co-researchers to develop practical tools and resources to improve support across services.

The project will be carried out in Yorkshire and Humber- an area with a range of prisons and strong links between probation, health, and social care services.

Who are we?

Dr Danica Darley- Lead Researcher 

Dani is a Research Associate at the University of Sheffield in the School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations and the Lead Researcher for the project. Her research interests include care-experience, child exploitation, women in conflict with the law, relational practice, professional boundaries, lived experience criminology and co-production.

Prof Nathan Hughes

Nathan is a Professor of Adolescent Health and Justice, co-director of CIRCLE – the Centre for International Research on Care, Labour and Equalities, and Deputy Director of the Centre for Care, at the University of Sheffield. His research considers the experiences of people with neurodevelopmental disabilities, such as acquired brain injury, communication difficulties, and learning disabilities, including in relation to social care, education, and criminal justice.

Vickie Barritt

Vickie is the Research Associate on the project, having previously gained First-Class Honours Degree in Criminology and a MA in Social Research. Vickie joined the Department for Sociological Studies in 2021, following a 15-year career developing criminal justice projects in Local Authorities, the Police, and a Third Sector Voluntary organisation. 

Mari-Liis Tamm

Mari-Liis is a Research Trainee in the NIHR School for Social Care Research (SSCR), bringing extensive experience as a qualified social worker across statutory and charity sectors in child protection, support for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, and services for survivors of human trafficking and homelessness.

Our Partners

Access Social Care

ASC will play a central role in building the knowledge and capacity of co-researchers. They will deliver training on social care law, rights, and entitlements, enabling co-researchers to understand the support available to people with neurodisabilities both in prison and after release. ASC will also provide peer navigator training, equipping co-researchers to guide others towards appropriate services while maintaining clear ethical boundaries. In addition, ASC will contribute expertise to the early stages of the project by helping to assess how current social care entitlements align with existing provision.

Revolving Doors

Revolving Doors is a charity focused on promoting long-term justice reform by addressing the underlying causes of repeat low-level offending. They will support the project through their expertise in criminal justice policy, lived experience, and co-production. Their role will include contributing to the Advisory Board, helping to shape the research design, ensure relevance to policy and practice, and support dissemination. They will also provide guidance and mentorship to co-researchers, drawing on their experience of working with people with lived experience of the criminal justice system. Their involvement will help ensure the research remains grounded in lived experience and delivers meaningful, system-level impact.