Written Question · S3W-21356 · Session 3
How many young offenders in each young offenders institution have a learning disability.
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many young offenders in each young offenders institution have a learning disability.
The answer
I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:
The Scottish Prison Service does not centrally collate data on the number of young offenders who have a formal diagnosis of learning disability. However, the SPS does seek to address the presenting needs of prisoners identified with learning disability and learning difficulties.
The SPS has reviewed its service provision for learning disability and difficulties and is seeking to implement an improved detection and alerting process to identify such people in custody.
Assessment of learning needs shows that 64% of women offenders and 90% of prisoners in HM YOI Polmont experience communication and literacy difficulties.
The Scottish Prison Service does not centrally collate data on the number of young offenders who have a formal diagnosis of learning disability. However, the SPS does seek to address the presenting needs of prisoners identified with learning disability and learning difficulties.
The SPS has reviewed its service provision for learning disability and difficulties and is seeking to implement an improved detection and alerting process to identify such people in custody.
Assessment of learning needs shows that 64% of women offenders and 90% of prisoners in HM YOI Polmont experience communication and literacy difficulties.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S3W-21356 by reference.