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FOCUS: Regular ADHD clinics hope to plug "gap" in prison service

FOCUS: Regular ADHD clinics hope to plug

Thursday 06 June 2024

FOCUS: Regular ADHD clinics hope to plug "gap" in prison service

Thursday 06 June 2024


The prison has introduced regular clinics to review and treat prisoners with ADHD in a bid to address a "gap" identified by the mental health team in supporting inmates with the condition.

It follows a report from the Jersey Independent Prison Monitoring Board which identified mental health as a significant concern in HMP La Moye, affecting over half of prisoners.

A former inmate with ADHD also recently called for more support within the prison system as she explained that her diagnosis helped her understand past behaviour and manage her impulsivity.

Efforts to provide support

Prison Governor Susie Richardson said staff and inmates have recently received training on working with those exhibiting ADHD symptoms.

The prison has also formally added "neurodiversity" as a resettlement pathway to aid rehabilitation and reduce reoffending post-release, she explained.

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Pictured: Prison Governor Susie Richardson said staff and inmates have recently received training on working with those exhibiting ADHD symptoms.

Since January, three ADHD clinics have been held to review and adjust treatment for diagnosed prisoners.

Mental Health Improvement Lead Dennis Pimblott explained that this "was something that was identified as a 'gap' by our team which was addressed on an 'ad hoc' basis".

He explained that, when ADHD concerns are raised about an inmate, the prison conducts screening and refers them to Mental Health Services where necessary.

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Pictured: Since January, three ADHD clinics have been held to review and adjust treatment for diagnosed prisoners.

Those on the general ADHD waiting list are also seen if their assessment is due during their time in prison.

Mr Pimblott said that there are also plans to introduce a "neurodiversity offer" to support those awaiting assessment or needing additional help.

Numbers of prisoners with ADHD

A response to a recent Freedom of Information request that revealed the healthcare team at HMP La Moye administered ADHD treatment to seven diagnosed prisoners over the past year.

Police data also shows that 28 defendants with diagnosed ADHD went to court in the past five years.

However, comprehensive data about rates of ADHD in prisoners is limited as numbers often rely on self-reporting and a confirmed diagnosis before imprisonment.

Although there is no Jersey-specific data, a 2022 report by the ADHD Foundation estimated that a quarter of prisoners in Britain have ADHD.

This figure is significantly higher than the estimated 2% to 4% of adults in the general population who have the condition.

"A massive turning point"

In a testimony shared earlier this year, a former inmate named Steph* said that being diagnosed with ADHD whilst in prison was a "massive turning point" in her life.

She explained that the diagnosis helped her understand past behaviour and manage her impulsivity.

Steph also called for increased awareness and support within the prison system.

Pointing to statistics which show that one-in-four prisoners in the UK prison system have ADHD, the former inmate said: "Surely ADHD plays a role in offending behaviour.

"The system wants to reduce re-offending and rehabilitate.

"Maybe by trying to educate prisoners who show traits of ADHD as to what is most likely going on for them internally, this will assist the reoffending rates and help rehabilitate individuals like it did for me."

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Pictured: Quotations taken from Steph's testimony published by Express earlier this year. 

Acknowledging the shortage in the mental health sector and the difficulty getting a diagnosis, Steph said that "the first step is purely being aware of what ADHD actually is and educating people so they can have that lightbulb moment".

She explained that she believes support groups for prisoners with ADHD could be beneficial and provide a "place where like-minded people can come together, talk openly about being or feeling different and similar struggles they face".

*Name changed for anonymity.

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