Trauma-informed practice for people with intellectual disabilities in the criminal justice system: psychologists’ perspectives

Purpose

People with intellectual disabilities are more likely to encounter the criminal justice system (CJS) and are also more likely to experience abuse and other forms of trauma compared to the general population. This study aims to explore the perspectives of practitioner psychologists who work with adults who have intellectual disabilities and are in the CJS to identify how trauma-informed practice (TIP) could be applied.

Design/methodology/approach

An interpretivist epistemological position was taken within a contextualist epistemology. Nine psychologists were recruited; semi-structured, one-to-one interviews were conducted.

Findings

Reflexive thematic analysis resulted in four themes: TIP in the CJS has challenges; TIP has diverse interpretations; people with intellectual disabilities are systematically disadvantaged in the CJS; and change is needed. Participants identified challenges in the CJS including environmental and systemic barriers. Apprehension arose regarding TIP being adopted superficially. Compassion, safety, resisting re-traumatisation and individualised approaches were deemed crucial. Participants felt this group experience unique challenges within the CJS, including going unrecognised and lacking adaptations. Participants requested systemic change towards trauma-informed practices and further training for criminal justice staff.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first and only known qualitative study exploring trauma-informed practices for people with intellectual disabilities in the criminal justice system from a psychologist perspective.